Benefits Of Bitter Gourd

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Bitter gourd or Momordica charantia, member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is a functional vegetable well known in Asian countries. It is known for its culinary usage, health and medicinal properties. Though many of us do not like the taste or make faces at it (like me), this vegetable is filled with nutrients.

 

The green coloured, bitter tasting bitter gourd juice extracted from this gourd is called bitter gourd juice and is rich in vitamin C, K and B9 with minerals like potassium, zinc, phosphorus etc. The nutritional value of this juice makes it a natural and ideal remedy for people suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, skin issues etc.

 

This green coloured squash is a store house of antioxidants and essential nutrients and is used in vegetable curries, pickles, pills, juices, etc. Consuming a glass of bitter gourd juice everyday can do wonders to improve health and general well being of an individual.

 

 

 

How to Make Bitter Gourd Juice?

Firm, unripe green coloured bitter gourds should be selected for the purpose of making bitter gourd juice and should be stored under the right temperature to lower the rate at which they ripen. Ripe, yellow and orange coloured bitter melons should be avoided since they are too bitter for consumption. The selected gourds should be cleaned thoroughly under cold water and sliced, de-seeded and soaked in salt water at least for half an hour before preparing the juice to lessen the bitterness. These sliced pieces should be churned in a juicer and sieved to extract pure, healthy and fresh bitter gourd juice. This juice can be consumed raw or mixed with other ingredients like lime juice, onion juice, green apples, cucumber etc for creating natural remedies for treating various health issues.

 

Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd Juice:

1. Cures diabetes: This juice contains plant insulin called hypoglycaemic compound which helps to lower sugar levels in urine and blood, treats the problem of insulin resistance and regulates insulin levels in the body thereby treating diabetes.

 

2. Energizes naturally: Regular consumption of this drink improves stamina and energy levels of the individual and improves sleeping patterns.

 

3. Boosts immunity: The antioxidants present in this juice helps fight diseases and infections effectively, thus aids in strengthening the immunity system of the body and ensuring general health and well being of the individual.

 

4. Improves cardiac health: The phytonutrients and antioxidants present in bitter gourd juice promotes cardiac and respiratory health of an individual, while also boosting the blood circulation throughout the body and effectively treating asthma, bronchitis, pharyngitis etc.

 

 

5. Purifies blood: The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of bitter gourd juice help to treat skin problems, blood disorders, clear toxins from the blood and purify it, and further improves blood circulation throughout the body. It helps to cure issues like itching caused by toxaemia, rashes, acne, psoriasis, blood boils and even inhibits the growth of cancerous cells in the body.

 

6. Betters digestive health: This drink is a natural and effective detoxifier and clears the liver, stomach and blood of disease causing toxins and improves bowel and kidney conditions. It aids in treating stomach disorders, cholera, piles, toxaemia, relieving gout pain and alcohol intoxication etc.

 

7. Promotes weight loss: Antioxidants present in bitter gourd juice detoxify the body, improve digestive health and metabolism, thus promote weight loss, treat obesity and inhibit accumulation of excess fat cells in the body.

 

8. Improves eye sight: High levels of Vitamin A and beta carotene in bitter gourd juice aid in improving eyesight and treating eye problems naturally.

 

Caution:

Although being a very healthy drink, bitter gourd juice should only be consumed in small quantity everyday as this drink may cause nausea and abdominal pains if consumed in high amounts. Pregnant women should avoid drinking too much bitter gourd juice as it has properties to stimulate the uterus and thus can cause pre-mature labour pains. Believed to be an ideal remedy for treating diabetes, this drink should however, be consumed on the doctor’s advice and directions by diabetic patients undergoing medication containing hypoglycaemic drugs since the dosage of the medicine will need to be changed in accordance with consumption of bitter gourd juice.

 

With such amazing properties, bitter gourd juice should not be ignored. Though the taste may be bitter, it has great medicinal values which help to keep you healthy. This juice also helps to maintain your body weight. Bid good bye to all those energy drinks and maintain good health with natural juices which are safe and chemical free.

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