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Kumquat vs. Gooseberry — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Article author photo Elen Khachatrian by Elen Khachatrian | Last updated on January 24, 2024
Medically reviewed by Ani Harutyunyan Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Kumquat
vs
Gooseberry

Summary

Kumquat contains more minerals, more Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Vitamin B3, and a lower GI. On the other hand, gooseberry has more Vitamin B6, less sodium, saturated fat, and fewer sugars.

Introduction

We will discuss gooseberry and kumquat similarities and differences, focusing on nutrition and health impact.

Varieties

Ribes uva-crispa or gooseberry is a species of flowering shrub in the Ribes genus. Early Sulphur Gooseberry Bushes and May Duke Gooseberry Bushes are the most common varieties.

Kumquats are a genus of small fruit-bearing trees in the Rutaceae family and the Citrus genus. In Chinese, kumquat means "golden orange." A kumquat is about the size of a grape, but it packs a punch of sweet-tart citrus flavor. Nagami Kumquats are the most common variety in the United States.

Taste

Kumquat has a citrusy taste with a tart, tangy note. Some varieties may be sweet. Instead, gooseberries have a tart or savory flavor that may remind you of grape or lemon. However, gooseberry may have a citrusy taste profile too. 

Nutrition

Calories

Kumquat has almost two times more calories than gooseberry. It contains 71 calories per 100g, while gooseberry contains only 44 calories per 100g.

Vitamins

Kumquat contains more Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Folate.

The amount of Vitamin B2 is two times higher in kumquat.

Also, it falls in the range of the top 29% of foods as a source of Vitamin A and 13% of food as a source of Vitamin C.

On the other hand, gooseberry has higher Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B6.

The amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin B1 are equal in these foods.

Both have no Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and Vitamin B12.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 146% 17% 3% 0% 9.3% 21% 8% 12% 8.3% 0% 0% 13% 4.6%
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 92% 17% 7.4% 0% 10% 6.9% 5.6% 17% 18% 0% 0% 4.5% 0%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +58.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +200%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +43%
Contains more FolateFolate +183.3%
Contains more CholineCholine +∞%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E +146.7%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +37.5%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +122.2%
~equal in Vitamin A ~290IU
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin B1 ~0.04mg
~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg
~equal in Vitamin K ~µg

Minerals

Kumquat has a relatively higher amount of minerals than gooseberry. It has more copper, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron.

Kumquat also falls in the range of the top 30% of foods as a source of calcium.

On the other hand, gooseberry has less sodium and more phosphorus than kumquat.

Both contain an equal amount of potassium.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 14% 19% 16% 32% 32% 4.6% 8.1% 1.3% 18% 0%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 7.1% 7.5% 17% 12% 23% 3.3% 12% 0.13% 19% 3.3%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +100%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +148%
Contains more IronIron +177.4%
Contains more CopperCopper +35.7%
Contains more ZincZinc +41.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +42.1%
Contains less SodiumSodium -90%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +∞%
~equal in Potassium ~198mg
~equal in Manganese ~0.144mg

Glycemic Index

According to the International Tables of Glycemic Index, the GI of fruits differs depending on the country they were grown in. The GI of kumquats is 0, and the glycemic index of gooseberry is 15; both are considered low GI.

Carbs

Kumquat contains more carbs than gooseberry. It has 16g per 100g, whereas gooseberry has 10g per 100g. They both have high net carbs: 9.4 g of net carbs in kumquat and 6g in gooseberry. However, kumquat also has more fiber: 6.5g. Kumquat falls in the range of the top 15% of foods as a source of fiber.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
2% 16% 81%
Protein: 1.88 g
Fats: 0.86 g
Carbs: 15.9 g
Water: 80.85 g
Other: 0.51 g
10% 88%
Protein: 0.88 g
Fats: 0.58 g
Carbs: 10.18 g
Water: 87.87 g
Other: 0.49 g
Contains more ProteinProtein +113.6%
Contains more FatsFats +48.3%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +56.2%
~equal in Water ~87.87g
~equal in Other ~0.49g

Fats

Both gooseberry and kumquat have fats of less than 1g. Kumquat contains 0.86g of fat, and gooseberry has 0.6g of fat.

Cholesterol

Both gooseberry and kumquat have no cholesterol.

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
24% 36% 40%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.103 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.154 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.171 g
9% 13% 78%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.038 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.051 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.317 g
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat +202%
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat -63.1%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +85.4%

Health Impact

Cancer

Gooseberries contain cancer-fighting compounds quercetin and kaempferol and caffeic and ellagic acids. Gooseberries also contain organic acids responsible for their flavor and may lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and stroke [1].

Kumquats are high in plant compounds such as flavonoids, phytosterols, and essential oils. Research shows that phloretin and acacetin found in kumquats have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities [2].

Cardiovascular Health

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan Article author photo Astghik Grigoryan

This study suggests that gooseberries have antihypertensive properties. Regarding kumquat, no research has been done to support its potential to lower arterial blood pressure [3].

Polyphenols found in gooseberries may improve LDL stability against oxidation and lower the risk of atherosclerosis. According to this animal study, kumquat's phenolic components could also be used to lower hypercholesterolemia [4.5].

Therefore, components found in kumquats and gooseberries have been associated with decreased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. 

Diabetes

Kumquat contains a lot of fiber, which is suitable for people with diabetes because fiber helps keep blood sugar levels under control [6].

According to one animal study [7], kumquat extract may lower fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides. However, more research is required.

One study [8] indicates that pectin, another antioxidant found in citrus fruits, has anti-diabetic effects, including improved glucose tolerance and blood lipid levels and reduced insulin resistance.

Immune System

Both gooseberry and kumquat are rich in calcium and Vitamin C. As studies show, Vitamin C helps with typical cold recovery. Moreover, a lack of Vitamin C can harm your immune system, especially if you are elderly [9].

Animal and test-tube studies [10] suggest that kumquat plant compounds may aid in the activation of natural killer cells, which are immune cells. Both gooseberry and kumquat are high in Vitamin C and contain enough Vitamin A and calcium, maintaining the immune system's delicate balance and appropriately ramping up and down responses [11].

Side Effects

Allergy

Those who have citrus allergies may also be sensitive to kumquat. Citrus fruit peel allergies are frequently caused by limonene, a chemical found in citrus fruit peels. People can have an allergy to gooseberry if they are allergic to latex.

Common symptoms include intense tingling and itching of the lips, tongue, and throat [12].

Article author photo Elen Khachatrian
Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU
Last updated: January 24, 2024
Medically reviewed by Ani Harutyunyan

Infographic

Kumquat vs Gooseberry infographic
Infographic link

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Kumquat Gooseberry
Lower in price ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal
Rich in minerals Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Kumquat Gooseberry Opinion
Calories 71kcal 44kcal Kumquat
Protein 1.88g 0.88g Kumquat
Fats 0.86g 0.58g Kumquat
Vitamin C 43.9mg 27.7mg Kumquat
Net carbs 9.4g 5.88g Kumquat
Carbs 15.9g 10.18g Kumquat
Magnesium 20mg 10mg Kumquat
Calcium 62mg 25mg Kumquat
Potassium 186mg 198mg Gooseberry
Iron 0.86mg 0.31mg Kumquat
Sugar 9.36g Gooseberry
Fiber 6.5g 4.3g Kumquat
Copper 0.095mg 0.07mg Kumquat
Zinc 0.17mg 0.12mg Kumquat
Phosphorus 19mg 27mg Gooseberry
Sodium 10mg 1mg Gooseberry
Vitamin A 290IU 290IU
Vitamin A 15µg 15µg
Vitamin E 0.15mg 0.37mg Gooseberry
Manganese 0.135mg 0.144mg Gooseberry
Selenium 0µg 0.6µg Gooseberry
Vitamin B1 0.037mg 0.04mg Gooseberry
Vitamin B2 0.09mg 0.03mg Kumquat
Vitamin B3 0.429mg 0.3mg Kumquat
Vitamin B5 0.208mg 0.286mg Gooseberry
Vitamin B6 0.036mg 0.08mg Gooseberry
Folate 17µg 6µg Kumquat
Choline 8.4mg Kumquat
Saturated Fat 0.103g 0.038g Gooseberry
Monounsaturated Fat 0.154g 0.051g Kumquat
Polyunsaturated fat 0.171g 0.317g Gooseberry

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Kumquat Gooseberry
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
19%
Kumquat
14%
Gooseberry
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
14%
Kumquat
10%
Gooseberry

Comparison summary

Which food is cheaper?
Kumquat
Kumquat is cheaper (difference - $0.5)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Gooseberry
Gooseberry is lower in Sugar (difference - 9.36g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Gooseberry
Gooseberry contains less Sodium (difference - 9mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Gooseberry
Gooseberry is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.065g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Gooseberry
Gooseberry is lower in glycemic index (difference - 52)
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)
Which food is richer in minerals?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.
Which food is richer in vitamins?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Kumquat - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168154/nutrients
  2. Gooseberry - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173030/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.