10 Surprising Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd for Heart, Blood, Dandruff, Skin and Health

There are quite a lot of Health benefit of Bitter Gourd even though it is bitter. It is known as Balsam-pear, bitter squash, Bitter melon, karela or Momordica Charantia (Botanical name). Bitter gourd has various sizes and shapes. Most varieties have seeds whose color changes from white to red when ripe. It has an oblong shape with a distinctive warty exterior. It is often consumed when it color is almost yellow or green, at this stage its flesh becomes firm like that of a cucumber.

It is grown as an edible fruit in Caribbean, Asia and Africa. It is used for both culinary and medicinal purpose. In cuisine in china, Bitter gourd is served in soups, herbal teas and stir-fries. In cuisines in India, it is frequently served with yogurt and also used in curry.

What are the health Benefit of Bitter Gourd?

Helps overcome Diabetes

Recent research has confirmed that Bitter gourd has the ability to overwhelm type 2 diabetes. It has been used in ancient times in china and India. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin or the inability of the cells to utilize insulin produced. Bitter Gourd activate the kinases which are enzymes that helps in the absorption of glucose- in order to increase the absorption of glucose thereby curbing diabetes.

Aids weight loss

It helps us reduce our weight by suppressing the intake of calories when eaten which is as a result of the water content of the Bitter Gourd which is about 80%. Another perk about is that it is low in calories thereby leading to loss of weight. It also contains antioxidant which cleans the system in which boost body metabolism.

Cures hangovers

It helps in treating hangovers caused by consumption of excess alcohol. It is due to it alcohol intoxication properties. It can be taken in form of juice with honey in the morning after a partying hard in the night to soothe your nerves.

Used in treating constipation

It greatly aids digestion because Bitter Gourd contains fiber in which helps to bulk up stool in the colon and retain water thereby preventing constipation. Fiber also helps to keep the bowel movement soft and frequent.

Improves the heart health

Bitter Gourd helps to decrease the amount of bad cholesterol in the body which attach to the walls of the arterial vessels thereby decreasing the chances of an occurrence of a heart attack and any other heart disease.

Purifies the blood

Bitter Gourd has antimicrobial and antioxidant effects which helps to purify the blood and improve the blood circulation of the body. It also removes toxins in the body making effective in treating some fungal infection like ringworm.

Wards off Dandruff

One of the most common hair problem is Dandruff which is caused by the dryness of the scalp as a result of unhealthy diet. It can be gotten rid of by mixing Bitter Gourd juice and cumin seed or avocado and then applying it to your scalp.

It has anti-ageing effect

Bitter gourd contains Vitamin A which has antioxidant properties which helps in destroying free radicals. It helps to slow down the ageing thus preventing wrinkles

Useful in treating skin infections

Frequent consumption of Bitter gourd can benefit the skin in treating infections like eczema and fungal infections like psoriasis.

Helps in treating flu

it is quite useful in treating cough and cold especially during the flu season. It can be mixed with the paste of tulsi leaves and honey every morning

Nutritional value of Bitter Gourd

It is rich in Vitamins such as Vitamin A Vitamin C and Vitamin B. it also contain a lot of minerals like phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron etc. 100g of Bitter gourd contains 79 k of energy, 4.29g of carbohydrate, 0.18g of fat, 0.84g of protein, 9 mg of calcium, 0.38mg of iron, 0.77mg of zinc, 6 mg of sodium, 319 mg of potassium, 36 mg of phosphorus, 0.086mg of manganese,16mg of magnesium. It also contains Vitamin like 84 mg Vitamin C, 471 IU Vitamin, 0.400mg Niacin, 72 micrograms of folates, 0.040mg of riboflavin and 0.212mg of pantothenic acid.

You can see that all the nutrients found in Bitter Gourd contribute to the top health benefits of Bitter Gourd. It should be noted that although there are so many health benefits of eating bitter gourd, when consumed in excess it can cause abdominal pain nausea and premature labor pains in pregnant women, so it should be taken in small quantity.