Let's talk about one of the most hated fruits in the world - bitter gourd. We have always considered it to be a vegetable, but it is a fruit which is deeply hated for its taste. The fruit, however, humbly provides you with some amazing health benefits.
Bitter gourd contains a cocktail of nutrients like iron, dietary fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and antioxidants. It also has twice the amount of potassium, beta-carotene and calcium in comparison to banana, broccoli and spinach, respectively.
Bitter gourd can be consumed in the form of juice. Health experts recommend that drinking just 30ml is enough for a day. Here are some incredible advantages of consuming bitter gourd:
Enhances heart health
Bitter gourd consumption especially in the form of juice aids in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, which lessens the chances of getting heart stroke and attack. It boosts the cardiovascular health and also maintains blood pressure.
Beautifies skin and hair
Karela or bitter gourd is an amazing source of vitamin A and C, and antioxidants which helps in making your skin flawless, glowy and pimple-free by flushing out all the toxins. It also helps in making your hair shiny and lustrous; all you need to do is apply bitter gourd juice on your scalp. It helps in getting rid of dandruff, itchy scalp, dandruff, hair fall and treats split ends while making your hair smooth and conditioned.
Benefits liver
It helps in flushing out all the toxins from the liver and helps in curing numerous liver problems. According to a study, a compound called momordica charantia in bitter gourd protects the liver and also helps in better functioning of the bladder.
Manages blood sugar levels
As per World Health Organization statistics, more than 382 million people are diagnosed with diabetes worldwide. Presence of an insulin-like compound called polypeptide-p, which is found in bitter gourd helps in maintaining the blood sugar levels and controls diabetes. It is vital for diabetics and benefits both type-1 and type-2 patients. If you are a diabetic, do consult your doctor about the quantity of juice you consume.
Immunity booster
Your immunity peps up by bitter gourd consumption. It fights harmful microbes, and prevents breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. It also helps in keeping indigestion and allergies at bay and strengthens your immunity.
Promoting weight loss and improving eye sight are other benefits of consuming bitter gourd. Pregnant women should avoid bitter gourd consumption as it may trigger pre-term labor. Excessive consumption of bitter gourd should be avoided as it can cause diarrhoea and abdomen pain.
