What most of us don’t know is that bitter gourd or karela is not actually a vegetable because it is a fruit. The part of the plant that most of us eat and use for different medicinal purposes is the fruit of the bitter squash plant. While we’ve been so busy minding its bitter taste, we overlooked this fact that this fruit has a wide range of benefits, and it is even better if you drink the bitter gourd juice. Bitter gourd juice contains a lot of essential nutrients such as magnesium, iron, potassium, and vitamins A, B, and C. Aside from that, bitter gourds are an excellent source of dietary fiber, it also has twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, the potassium of a banana, and the calcium of spinach. This is why in this article, we are going to give you the health benefits of drinking bitter gourd juice.
Helps in maintaining blood sugar levels – The World Health Organization said that over 82 million people from all across the globe suffer from diabetes. Bitter gourd has an insulin-like ingredient called Polypeptide-p or p-insulin, and studies show that it helps to control diabetes naturally. Experts also say that this plant-based insulin in bitter gourd can also help people with type-1 diabetes as well. Another research showed that bitter melon also helps to increase the uptake of glucose as well as improve the glycemic control of the body.
Lowers harmful cholesterol levels – Experts say that a glass of bitter gourd juice has anti-inflammatory effects, and it also helps in lowering the harmful cholesterol levels in the body. This is why this magical fruit also helps in significantly reducing the risk of having a heart attack and stroke. Not only that but drinking bitter gourd juice can also help in lowering the blood pressure of the body because it is rich in potassium, which absorbs the excessive sodium levels in our body. Aside from that, bitter gourds are also rich in iron and folic acid, which are known to help keep your heart healthy and decrease the chance of having a stroke.
For glowing skin and lustrous hair – Want flawless skiin? Experts say that bitter gourd juice is packed with powerful antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which helps diminish wrinkles and prevent premature skin aging. Aside from that, bitter gourd juice can also help to reduce acne, and it also helps treat eczema and psoriasis, as well as protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Bitter gourd also contains biotin and zinc, which makes your hair shine and shine. If you apply bitter gourd juice to your scalp every day, it can help to decrease greying of hair, treats rough hair and split ends, reduce hair loss, fight away dandruff, and manage itchiness. You can apply bitter gourd juice straight to your hair, or you can mix it with some curd and massage gently on your scalp and hair.
Cures hangovers and cleanses the liver – If you got too much alcohol in your system after a night of partying, then all you have to do to get rid of it is to sip some bitter gourd juice. This is because bitter gourds help wipe out alcoholic intoxication that is settled in your liver. The extract also helps to clean your bowel as well. At the same time, it heals many liver problems. According to research, a compound called Momordica Charantia is the one responsible for providing protection against liver failure because it helps to strengthen the antioxidant activity of the enzymes that are present in the liver. Aside from that, bitter gourd juice can also help to boost the function of your bladder.
Helps in weight loss – Bitter gourd is perfect for people who are trying to lose some weight because they are low in fat, carbohydrates, and calories. Eating or drinking bitter gourd juice makes you feel full for longer, which is why it is a perfect addition to your weight loss plan. According to research that was published in the Journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the extracts of bitter gourd can help in the dislocation of human fat cells. Aside from that, it can also hinder the growth and formation of new fat cells.
Boosts your immune system – Bitter gourd juice helps in fighting bacteria and viruses, which in turn strengthens your immunity. It also helps prevents indigestion and allergies. The antioxidants that bitter gourd contains work as powerful defense mechanisms against several illnesses and help fight free-radical damage that can cause different types of cancer. A study that was done in 2010 showed that bitter gourd also contains anti-tumor and anti-carcinogen properties. It also showed that it helped reduce the risk of having prostate, cervical, and breast cancer.
A quick tip: If you want to reduce the bitterness of your bitter gourd juice, you can add some honey or jaggery to it or blend and juice it with sweet fruits such as pears and apples. Aside from that, you can also squeeze in some lemon juice to help lessen the harsh taste of bitter melon juice.