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Bitter gourd is an example of a food that’s packed with health benefits that very few of us know much about at all.
If you think bitter gourd sounds more like something out of a Harry Potter book, it’s really not as alarming as it seems. Bitter gourd is actually a type of melon fruit, grown mainly in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. It has a sharp flavour and a slightly funky appearance – it’s long and thin, with a green, bumpy skin.
The juice or extract of bitter gourd is particularly beneficial to a person’s health. It might not have the most pleasant taste, but bitter gourd juice contains a whole host of important nutrients, ranging from iron and magnesium to potassium and vitamin C. As an excellent source of dietary fibre, bitter gourd juice also contains twice the calcium of spinach, the betacarotene of broccoli, and the potassium of a banana.
If you’re at all curious to learn about the health benefits of bitter gourd, we’re going to cover them all. Bitter gourd also has a few side effects to look out for, so stay tuned for those, too.
Lets first take a look at the Health benefits
No 1 Aids natural weight loss
Bitter gourd contains ingredients that lower and maintain blood sugar levels in your body, and prevent your body from absorbing extra sugar. On top of this, experts say that bitter gourd is partly responsible for an increase in the number of beta cells in your pancreas. These cells are involved in secreting insulin, which are essential for maintaining blood sugar levels. You need balanced blood sugar and no extra insulin for healthy weight loss, which bitter gourd can help you to achieve.
One 100 gram serving of bitter gourd contains only 17 calories, and it’s also full of fibre, helping to slow down the digestion process, keeping you fuller for longer and preventing hunger pangs from hitting.
No2 Prevents diabetes
The blood sugar balancing properties of bitter gourd also make it effective in preventing the onset of diabetes. One study found that bitter gourd pulp extract significantly lowered blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes, and improved insulin sensitivity in insulin resistant rats.
Bitter gourd can not only prevent diabetes, but treat the illness effectively. The fruit contains an insulinlike compound known as Polypeptidep, or pinsulin, which has been shown to control diabetes naturally. These substances either work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels.
No3 Lowers cholesterol
High cholesterol is caused by a buildup of deposits in the arteries, and can limit blood flow, increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. While high cholesterol should always be treated by professional medical care, if you’re just looking to maintain a healthy cholesterol, bitter gourd is a good food to add to your diet.
A number of animal studies have found that bitter melon may decrease cholesterol levels to support overall heart health. More specifically, experts think that bitter gourd can lower levels of total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, which can cause heart problems, especially in later life.
No 4 Good for skin and hair
It’s the vitamin and mineral content found in bitter gourd that make it such a beneficial fruit for skin and hair health. Notably, bitter gourd is packed full of antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin C, which prevent skin ageing and diminish wrinkles. Vitamin C is particularly effective in neutralising the free radicals that cause oxidative stress to skin and result in ageing of the face and hands.
Bitter gourd is also a good cleansing food for removing unwanted toxins from your body. As these toxins are removed, you can literally detox your skin, as many toxins actually leave your body through your skin. You’ll be able to benefit from cleaner, pimplefree skin with a natural “I just did a detox” kind of glow.
No 5 Promotes digestion
As a high fibre food, bitter gourd is a simple snack for improving your digestion. Drinking bitter gourd extract on a daily basis can help move foods more quickly through your digestive system, retaining water and preventing constipation and other digestive issues.
Bitter gourd is used as a natural laxative in herbal medicine, and despite its sharp taste, it’s also known for its soothing effect on the stomach. Taking bitter gourd is thought to prevent stomach ulcers and other similar damage caused by too much acid production.
No 6 Boosts immunity
Bitter gourd is an extremely rich source of vitamin C, which helps boost immunity and prevent you from getting sick. As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights against free radicals in the body, which studies have shown could help prevent or delay certain cancers and heart disease, and promote healthy ageing.