Health Benefits of Bitter Gaurd

Bitter melon is one of popular edible pod vegetable in many Asian countries. It is grown widely as a field crop as well as backyard vegetable and, in fact, is among the most bitter tasting of all culinary vegetables.

Fresh bitter melon pods can be available in the markets round the seasons. When you buy them, look for fresh, bright pods that feature dark-green, without any cuts, or blemishes on their surfaces. Choose young, tender immature pods. Immature-fruits are least bitter since their bitter level increases as the pods mature.

Bitter gourd (balsam pear/ bitter melon) is a young, tender, edible fruit-pod in the Momordica genus of climbing vines. Although its bitter taste might turn some people away from it, in-fact, it really can sweeten your health through virtue of its disease preventing and health promoting phyto chemical compounds.

Karela is profoundly grown in Asian and sub-tropical climates. It makes an essential detoxifier and skin cleanser. Regular intake of this bitter herb helps boost the immune system while removing all unnecessary toxins. Bitter guard is considered a fruit as it has seeds. However, the most common usage of this fruit is as a vegetable, often used for cooking.

*Botanically, it belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, in the genus; Momordica, and is a member of the same family as squash, watermelon,cantaloupes, cucumber, etc, belongs to. Scientific name: Momordica charantia. Some of the related varieties are balsam pear, cundeamor, la-kwa, etc.
*Bitter melon stimulates easy digestion and peristalsis of food through the bowel until it is excreted from the body. Thus, it helps in relieving indigestion and constipation problems.

*it is an excellent source of health benefiting flavonoids such as ß-carotene, a-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin. It also contains a good amount of vitamin-A. Together, these compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging, cancers and various disease processes.

*Bitter melon is very low in calories, carrying just 17 calories per 100 g. Nevertheless, its pods are rich sources of phytonutrients like dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants.

*it is a moderate source of B-complex vitamins such as niacin (vitamin B-3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, manganese and magnesium.'

*laboratory tests suggest that certain phyto-chemical compounds in bitter melon might be effective in the treatment of HIV infection.

Though it is bitter to taste, the juice of Karela (Bitter Gourd) is full of essential nutrients. Not only is it extremely nutritional, it is, in fact, considered a miraculous health drink. Karela juice has innumerable health benefits. It is an essential tonic for those who are diabetic. Not only patients, but in fact, everyone can get some or the other benefit out of this juice

Karela Juice Benefits for Health:

Useseful for diabetic patients-

Bitter gourd has multiple health benefits. It is mostly consumed for triggering the blood sugar level. Diabetes is a common ailment that affects many people today. Regular intake of bitter gourd juice helps prevent the rise of blood sugar levels. It also helps cure insulin resistance without taking any external medication.

*Cholesterol levels are also lowered by regular consumption of the juice.



Asthma:

Asthma patients can highly benefit by having karela juice. It helps cure chronic cough and breathing problems by removing the sputum that accumulates within the lungs and the respiratory tract.
HIV/AIDS:

*Regular consumption of karela juice is best for triggering the condition of an HIV patient. Studies conducted on natural antidotes of HIV/AIDS establish the goodness of bitter guard in preventing further damaging of the skin cells.

Antioxidant:

*Karela juice is an excellent natural antioxidant. Antioxidant is essential for removing toxins from the body. At the same time, it helps to rejuvenate the body cells and prevents free radicals. The juice of karela is the finest tonic for those who are addicted to smoking. Taking karela juice helps to cleanse the nicotine layer from the system.

Cancer:

If not detected at the right stage, cancer is almost an incurable disease. Karela juice benefits to prevent some particular types of cancer. It also helps trigger leukemic cancer cells effectively.

*Karela juice is excellent for the skin. It helps to remove the fine lines from the upper surface of the skin. Having this juice will also prevent premature ageing. It helps cure and purify blood from within the system.

*Constipation:

*Regular consumption of karela helps to cure constipation.

*Reduces Blood Pressure

*Consumption of bitter gourd juice helps in naturally reducing blood pressure. Therefore people suffering from high blood pressure are always advised to consume the juice regularly.


*Regular Drinking can Help in Weight Loss

*Everybody is searching for easier ways to lose weight these days. With bitter gourd juice this seems to be an easy task. Drinking the juice in the morning on an empty stomach has been found to curb the appetite.

*Regularly drinking this juice has been found to increment weight loss. It aids in rapid metabolism of carbohydrates which in turn leads to fast weight loss. It helps in detoxifying the body that means that your body is rid of all unwanted things in a natural way.

*Bitter gourd is excellent for weight loss. Karela benefits to weight loss is attributed to its high fibre and low carbohydrates and calories content. It makes an ideal diet for those who are on a weight loss program.

Good for Health Hair Too

If you can daily consume the juice of bitter gourd in the morning then you never need worry about premature graying of hair or becoming bald.
Nutritional Value Per 100gm of Karela juice
Energy-17 kcal
Carbohydrate-3.70 gm
Protein-1gm
Total fat-0.17gm
Cholesterol-0mg
Dietary fiber-2.80mg
Niacin-0.400mg
Folate-72µg


Pyridoxine-0.043mg
Riboflavin-0.040mg
Thiamin-0.040mg
Sodium-5 mg
Potassium-296 mg
Calcium-19mg
Iron-0.43mg
Copper-0.034mg
Zinc-0.80mg

Beauty and Health -

Bitter taste of bitter gourd gives several benefits to improve beauty and health. Bitter gourd is called karela in Hindi. Karela juice can give you beautiful, glowing, problem free skin and healthy, good body too.

*Treat Dandruff with Bitter Gourd

Mixing the juice of bitter gourd or karela along with amla and applying it onto the scalp effectively rids one of dandruff. As this is a natural method hence this can be easily done and also there is no side effect.

*Get Rid of Ugly Pimples

Tried every way you knew to get rid of pimple and acne and yet you find yourself failing? With bitter gourd juice those pimples and acne can be kept at bay. As bitter gourd promotes inner health therefore there is hardly any chance of pimples and acne to resurface. Bitter gourd is a very good blood purifier, so it helps to reduce the appearance of acne from face.