Why Bitter Gourd Is a Must-Have: Uncover Its Benefits and Nutrition Facts!

Bitter Gourd, as we also call, the Bitter Melon, is a vegetable of diverse benefits. The skin colour of the veggie ranges from green to white in the centre or transparent. Although not everyone is a fan of bitter gourd, we cannot deny the numerous benefits bitter gourd juice provides. 

Being a rich source of vitamins like A, B, C, and E and other minerals like potassium, zinc and more, this vegetable must be included in your diet to boost your immune system. Offering protection against microbes and showcasing antifungal and antiparasitic properties, bitter gourd has numerous other benefits that we have discussed below. 

Types Of Bitter Gourd Available In The Market 

There are different kinds of bitter gourd in the market which vary slightly in taste and somewhat in appearance too.

Benefits Of Consuming Bitter Gourd

The health benefits of bitter gourd seeds or the vegetable as a whole are immense. We have listed a few common attributes and goodness of consuming bitter gourd juice daily or including it in your meals through curries and other recipes. 

1. Controls Diabetes 

Bitter gourd plays a vital role in controlling diabetes and regulating the blood glucose level in the body. Consuming bitter gourd juice every day can have an instant therapeutic effect. Charntin is a peptide present in the gourds and imitates the structure of insulin. So even if there is insulin resistance in the body or lack of insulin production causing an elevated level of sugar or glucose, consuming bitter gourd can act as a cure. 

2. Induces Weight Loss 

Lipid metabolism is among the major benefits bitter gourd juice offers. The anti-obesity impact of the vegetable makes it popular among fitness enthusiasts. Bitter gourd juice is common among fitness enthusiasts which modify relevant gene expression for weight management. 

3. Promotes Radiant Skin and Strong Hair 

Bitter gourd is enriched with vitamins A and C which aids in both radiant skin and strong hair growth. One can address the hair fall problem by consuming bitter gourd seeds regularly. It helps delay the overall ageing process and senescence of skin cells. Other skin symptoms like itching, dryness and psoriasis are cured with the help of bitter gourd. 

4. Boosts Immunity 

Bitter gourd provides immunity to the body and aids the production of immune cells to combat various diseases and invading pathogens. Free radical damage of the cells is also reduced with regular consumption of bitter gourd juice. The proliferation of cancer and tumour cells is also mitigated with bitter gourd consumption to a certain extent. 

5. Aids in Detoxifying the Liver 

If one experiences a major hangover the next morning due to excessive alcohol consumption and feels a sense of sluggishness, a glass of bitter gourd juice can be an effective remedy. Moreover, it detoxifies the effects of alcohol, preventing harm to the liver. 

6. Improves Digestion 

Bitter gourd juice can do wonders for your digestion. It helps your digestive system work smoothly by boosting gastric juice production and supporting gut health. If you’re dealing with slow digestion or sluggish bowel movements, a glass of bitter gourd juice might be just what you need.

Methods of Consumption of Bitter Gourd 

Bitter gourd is a versatile vegetable that can be consumed in multiple ways, from curried to stir-fried, juice, raw, smoothie and more. 

• Stir-Fried Bitter Gourd: It’s crispy and tossed in a pan with mild spices for elevated flavours. 
• Curry: Gourd can be chopped and added to curry with other veggies like carrots, onions and potatoes. 
• Raw Bitter Gourd Seeds (roasted): Bitter gourd seeds can be eaten raw or roasted for daily consumption.
• Bitter Gourd Chips: Crispy, flaky and golden brown, gourd chips are healthy snacks to binge on. 
• Bitter Gourd Juice: Remove the seeds and blend the pulp in a mixer to prepare this juice. Add some water to reduce the thickness, honey, sugar and lemon juice can be included as flavouring agents. 

Conclusion

The benefits of bitter gourd are endless as they can be consumed in different forms to create an interesting meal. A rich source of essential nutrients, bitter gourd is enriched with vitamins A, B, C, E, and Zinc. Adding bitter gourd to your daily diet or snack can help you reduce weight effectively and benefit your skin.