Bitter gourd is the most delicious and healthy vegetable that comes on your dining table in summers. Despite of its unique bitter taste, people all over the world enjoy bitter gourd in different recipes. A high content of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals enhance the bitter gourd benefits for your health.
Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon, is technically a fruit grown on the plant Momordica charantia, a tropical and subtropical vine of the Cucurbitaceae family that is widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean region.
Nutritional Value of Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd, also known as Karela, is low in calories. The energy content of 100 grams of bitter gourd is approximately 19 calories. 100 grams of karela contains;
- About 3.5 grams of carbohydrates
- 4 grams of fiber
- 150 mg of fat
- 930 mg of protein
- It also contains a lot of water (87 grams).
Karela is high in vitamins A and C. Karela contains minerals such as potassium, folate, zinc, and iron.
Karela contains antioxidants such as catechin, gallic acid, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid, which aids in the prevention of many diseases.
Benefits of Bitter Gourd for Health
Bitter gourd is full of flavonoids, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, that are all good for your health. It has special chemicals that helps in diabetes management. The detoxifying ability of bitter gourd is excellent for your liver.
Lets discus some of the important bitter gourd benefits;
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Diabetes?
Bitter gourd contains a compound that functions similarly to insulin. It lowers blood glucose levels in both type I and type II diabetes. A glass of bitter gourd juice is so effective that diabetics must reduce their medication dosage.
Bitter gourd possesses saponins and terpenoids, which are bioactive compounds. These compounds are responsible for the characteristic bitter taste of the vegetable, but they may also help diabetics lower their blood sugar levels. Bitter gourd’s saponins and terpenoids may help move glucose from the blood to the cells while also assisting your liver and muscles in better processing and storing glucose. Hence, it is helpful in type I and II diabetes.
Moreover, it can help manage gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that is discovered in pregnant women who did not have diabetes before becoming pregnant. Bitter gourd can certainly be included in the Gestational diabetes diet.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Liver?
Bitter gourd is beneficial to the liver and detoxifies it. It increases liver enzymes and is a good hangover cure because it reduces alcohol deposits on the liver. Bitter gourd is also beneficial to the bladder and the gut.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Digestion?
Bitter gourd is high in fiber and aids in bowel movement. It soothes the stomach and relieves constipation. It promotes good gut bacteria, which aids digestion and nutrient absorption.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Skin?
Bitter gourd is high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, both of which are beneficial to the skin. It fights acne and skin blemishes as well as anti-aging. It is effective in treating skin infections such as ringworm, psoriasis, and itching.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Hair?
Bitter gourd contains the nutrients vitamin A, vitamin C, biotin, and zinc, which give your hair shine and luster. Applying bitter gourd juice to your scalp on a regular basis can help reduce hair loss and greying, treat split ends and rough hair, fight dandruff, and relieve itching.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Heart?
Bitter gourd lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowers the risk of having a heart attack. The fiber also aids in the unclogging of the arteries. Bitter gourd juice also helps lowering your blood pressure.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Weight Loss?
Bitter gourd promotes weight loss because it is low in calories and high in fiber. It inhibits the formation and growth of adipose cells, which are responsible for fat storage in the body. It boosts metabolism and the antioxidants help detoxify the body, resulting in fat loss.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Cleansing Blood?
Bitter gourd contains a high concentration of antioxidants, which aids in the treatment of many blood-related issues. Bitter gourd consumption on a regular basis improves skin, hair, and cancer problems. It also aids in the improvement of blood circulation.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Cancer?
Bitter gourd increases immunity and protects against allergies and infections. But the most important advantage is that it fights cancer. It inhibits cancer cell proliferation and prevents tumor formation.
According to recent research, the bitter gourd, which is commonly consumed in South Asia, has the potential to slow the progression of cancer, the world’s second deadliest disease. It has properties that inhibit the growth and spread of cancer. Bitter gourd consumption reduces the risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer significantly.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Asthma?
Numerous studies show that Bitter Gourd relieves respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and rhinitis. Its anti-histamine, suppressant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and anti-viral properties make it an excellent respiratory health supplement.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for PCOS?
Bitter gourd has been linked to lower blood sugar levels and improved insulin sensitivity. As PCOS is frequently associated with elevated insulin levels, the ovaries produce more androgen, resulting in symptoms such as irregular periods. So having bitter gourd can improve your hormonal imbalance and help managing PCOS.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Eyes?
Bitter gourd is high in vitamin A, which helps to prevent cataracts and improves vision. It even helps to lighten dark circles.
Is Bitter Gourd Good for Kidney Stones?
Bitter gourd can help the body get rid of kidney stones by naturally breaking them down. Bitter gourd also lowers the high acid levels that cause painful kidney stones.
How to consume Bitter Gourd for Benefits?
Bitter Gourd Stir-Fried or Bitter gourd fries are the best and most delicious way to eat bitter gourd. You can add meat with the stir-fried bitter gourd to enhance taste and nutritional value. Bitter gourd juice can also be prepared for medicinal purposes.
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FAQs
Is it good to eat bitter gourd every day?
Bitter gourd contains a high concentration of antioxidants, which aids in the treatment of many blood and liver-related issues. Bitter gourd consumption on a regular basis improves skin, hair, and cancer problems. It also aids in the improvement of blood circulation.
Is it OK to drink bitter gourd juice daily?
To manage diabetes, asthma, and improve digestion, drink bitter gourd juices every day. Bitter gourd, which is high in potassium, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and has several medicinal properties, should be included in your daily diet.
Can We Drink Bitter Gourd Juice Daily?
You can drink a glass of bitter gourd juice daily, and it is most beneficial when consumed first thing in the morning. The vegetable contains Polypeptide-P, which can help reduce sugar spikes in diabetics.