The bitter gourd, also known as the karela, is a trendy vegetable in Asia. It has a bitter taste, which is why everyone does not love it. But if you can get past the taste, you will find that this vegetable provides many health benefits! These days, juice options are available for those who do not want to go through the trouble of preparing them. In this article, we look at some of the benefits of bitter gourd and how you can add it to your daily diet.
Lowers blood sugar
You may have heard of bitter gourd or bitter melon. This vegetable is also known as karela in Hindi and Urdu and is a popular addition to South Asian and Chinese dishes. Karela has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, but you can enjoy the benefits of this veggie even if you don’t like the taste. One cup (114 grams) provides more than 100 calories, 2 grams total fat, and 0 grams saturated fat.
It contains vitamin C, iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium—essential for overall health—and vitamins A or B6 (both critical for maintaining healthy skin).
Eases constipation
Bitter gourd is a good source of fibre and water, which can help in the digestion of food. It also helps absorb nutrients from the intestines to the bloodstream. This helps improve metabolism, maintain normal bowel function, and prevent constipation.
Bitter gourd contains compounds called anthraquinones that have laxative properties, making them helpful for treating constipation. The anthraquinones stimulate peristaltic movement in your intestines, helping you move waste out rapidly reflux and cause problems like bloating or cramping.
Helps in weight loss
Bitter gourd also helps in weight loss. It reduces fat, cholesterol and blood sugar levels which are the leading causes of obesity.
You can use the karela to lower blood pressure and triglyceride and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol.
Bitter Gourd is one of the best vegetables that helps reduce weight quickly.
Treats respiratory infections
Bitter gourd is a good source of vitamin C, which helps absorb iron. Iron plays an essential role in forming haemoglobin and red blood cells (RBCs), as well as white blood cells.
You also need Iron to produce antibodies, which are proteins that help your body fight infection by destroying harmful germs or viruses.
Boosts eye health
The antioxidant properties of bitter gourd help to prevent the damage caused by free radicals. It helps fight against the symptoms of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and night blindness.
It also helps reduce the risk of dry eyes since it contains carotenoids like beta-carotene. Also, it is a powerful antioxidant that protects your body from oxidative stress.
Treats piles or haemorrhoids
The anti-inflammatory properties of bitter gourd can be attributed to its high vitamin C content. Vitamin C helps to reduce inflammation and swelling in the body. The increased intake of this vitamin also increases the production of collagen, an essential protein that strengthens blood vessels, connective tissues and skin.
Bitter gourd also contains carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, which exhibit antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals in the body. This can help prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals known to cause cancer cells in our bodies.
Conclusion
Bitter gourd is a genuinely fantastic vegetable, not just because of its bitter taste. Scientists are still learning about this vegetable’s many benefits for your health, but what we do know is that it can be a powerful addition to your diet. From lowering blood sugar to treating common ailments like constipation and diabetes, the effects of bitter gourd are proven by research studies. And with so many ways to cook it, you won’t get bored adding this vegetable into your meals!
