Health benefits of bitter gourd

Read on to know why we should include bitter gourd in our diet regularly!

Bitter gourd is not a much-loved vegetable owing to its bitter taste. However, this vegetable is rich in vital vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, B, C, E, potassium, and zinc, which offers various health benefits. This is a fruit and not a vegetable, which is widely cultivated in Asia, East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Here are 7 surprising health benefits of consuming it.

Controls diabetes

There is abundant scientific data to prove its effectiveness to control diabetes as it offers a hypoglycemic effect on our body. The entire fruit that is pulp, seeds, and outer peel of bitter gourd is beneficial to increase insulin tolerance and glucose uptake, which maintains the blood glucose levels within the normal range.

Weight loss

Bitter melon or bitter gourd also works on lipid mechanism that can help to reduce fat accumulation and reduces the effect of a high-fat diet on humans.

For healthy liver

Some animal studies have found that bitter gourd demonstrates liver-protecting benefits and reduces inflammation, development of fatty liver, and the effect of free radicals in the liver.

Relieves constipation

It offers a stimulating and laxative effect that can prevent hemorrhoids and constipation, as it promotes the secretion of digestive juices.

Benefits on skin health

It offers anti-inflammatory benefits to treat wounds, eczema, leprosy, rash, and psoriasis. The peel of this fruit is most beneficial for this purpose.

Anti-cancer

Almost the entire plant contains anticancer benefits as consuming bitter gourd juice inhibits the growth of cancer cells, particularly, liver, breast, colon, cervical, blood, nose, pharynx, and prostate cancer.

Prevents helminthic infection

Consuming bitter gourd extract has been found to control the activity of the parasitic worm that results in helminthic infection. The phytochemicals, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and oligoglycosides are found to be effective in killing these worm by paralyzing them and destructing their vascular system.