Benefits of Bitter Gourd

Bitter Gourd is a vegetable.It is commonly known as bitter squash or bitter melon,has a wealth of health benefits that can be derived by including it in your diet.It is the member of the Cucurbitaceae family.Bitter gourd is most commonly found in Africa,Asia and the Caribbean,and its origins have been tracked back to the Indian sub-continent.Bitter Gourd is mainly used for culinary purpose.

Health Benefits

 The health benefits of bitter groud includes the following,

• Bitter Gourd notably contains phyto-nutrient,polypeptide-p,a plant insulin known to lower blood sugar levels.In addition,it composes hypoglycemic agent called charantin.Charantin increases glucose uptake and glcogen synthesis in the cells of liver,muscle and adipose tissue.Together,these compounds are thought to be responsible for reduction of blood sugar levels in the treatment of type-2 diabetes.
• Fresh pods are excellent source of folates. Folate helps reduce the incidence of  neural tube defects in the newborns when taken by mothers during early pregnancy.
• Bitter gourd is low in calories.It's pods are rich in phytonutrients like dietary fiber,vitamins,minerals and anti-oxidants.
• Fresh bitter melon is an excellent source of vitamin-C.The vitamin-C one of the power natural anti-oxidants helps the body scavenge deleterious free radicals one of the reasons for cancer development.
• It stimulates easy digestion and peristalsis of food through the bowel until it is excreted from the body.Thus,helps in relieving indigestion and constipation problems.
• Bitter gourd is also good source of  niacin,pantothenic acid,pyridoxine and minerals such as iron,zinc,manganese,magnesium and potassium.
• It is an excellent source of health benefiting flavonoids such as B-carotene,A-carotene,zea-xanthin and lutein.It also contain good amount of vitamin-A.Together these compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species that play a role in aging,cancers and various disease processes.
• Early Laboratory tests suggest that compounds in bitter melon might be effective for treating HIV infection.

Bitter Gourd helps,

• Boosts Immune system.
• Prevent cancer.
• Aids in managing diabetes.
• Provides relief from hemorrhoid.
• Treat fungal infections.
• Gives relief from asthma and bronchitis.