Your diet plan is incomplete without a Bitter melon (commonly known in Hindi as karela). It boosts weight loss and helps in controlling diabetes. We also tell you how to make it more palatable.
Most of us cringed, cried, and fought when we have force-fed karela as a child. Being told it was good for us didn’t make an iota of difference. If anything, obstinate kids resisted it even more. But now that we’re grown up and struggling with lifestyle diseases and modern-day disorders, it’s about time we made up with bitter gourd and adopted it in our diets. Its health benefits are exactly what we need today.
Nutritional Value of Bitter Gourd
According to the USDA, 100 grams of bitter gourd has about 34 calories with 13-milligram sodium, 602 grams of potassium, 7 grams total carbohydrate, and 3.6 grams of protein.
9 Health Benefits of Kalela
1. Fights inflammation
Bitter gourd is packed with polyphenols. These compounds are known for their ability to lower inflammation in the body. The more of them there are, the greater the anti-inflammatory effects could be.
2. Helps in maintaining blood sugar levels
The World Health Organisation has estimated that over 382 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. Bitter gourd contains an insulin-like compound called Polypeptide-p or p-insulin which has been shown to control diabetes naturally. Bitter melon when taken on a regular basis reduced the blood glucose level significantly in the patients suffering from type-2 diabetes.
3. May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties
Research suggests that bitter melon contains certain compounds with cancer-fighting properties.
For example, one test-tube study showed that bitter melon extract was effective at killing cancer cells of the stomach, colon, lung, and nasopharynx — the area located behind the nose at the back of your throat.
Another test-tube study had similar findings, reporting that bitter melon extract was able to block the growth and spread of breast cancer cells while also promoting cancer cell death.
4. May Aid Weight Loss
Bitter melon makes an excellent addition to a weight loss diet, as it’s low in calories yet high in fiber. It contains approximately 2 grams of fiber in each one-cup (94-gram) serving.
Fiber passes through your digestive tract very slowly, helping keep you fuller for longer and reducing hunger and appetite. Therefore, swapping higher-calorie ingredients with bitter melon could help increase your fiber intake and cut calories to promote weight loss.
Some research also shows that bitter melon can have beneficial effects on fat burning and weight loss.
5. Diabetes management
Bitter gourd contains bioactive compounds called saponins and terpenoids. These compounds are responsible for the vegetable’s bitter taste, but may also play a role in lowering blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The saponins and terpenoids in bitter gourd may help move glucose from the blood to the cells while also helping your liver and muscles better process and store glucose.
6. Boosts your immune system
Bitter gourd fights viruses and bacteria and strengthens your immunity. It prevents allergies and indigestion. The antioxidants work as powerful defense mechanisms against illness and also help fight free-radical damage that can cause various types of cancer. In 2010, a study was published in the Pharmaceutical Research Journal which stated that bitter-melon has anti-carcinogen and anti-tumor properties. It reduced the risk of prostate, breast, and cervical cancer.
7. Aids digestion
It is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Regular consumption of bitter gourd contributes to relieving constipation and indigestion. It supports healthy gut bacteria, which favors digestion and nutrient absorption. You can saute bitter gourd in olive oil to reduce the bitterness, and toss it with your choice of veggies and egg. (Shutterstock).
8. Good for the Skin and Hair
Karela is rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which are good for the skin. It reduces aging and fights acne and skin blemishes. It is useful in treating various skin infections like ringworm, psoriasis, and itching. Karela juice adds luster to the hair and combats dandruff, hair loss, and split-ends.
9. Blood Purifier
Karela has a high amount of antioxidants, and this helps it to cure many problems related to corrupted blood. Regular consumption of bitter gourd leads to improvement in skin, hair, and cancer problems. Also, it helps to improve blood circulation. Know the following benefits of bitter gourd juice.
What Is The Best Time To Drink Karela Juice?
It is usually recommended to drink it on empty stomach in the morning as it can be easily absorbed by the body. Being emetic in nature can make you feel nauseous. So, to start with try sipping on smaller quantities
How To Make Karela Juice?
Drinking bitter gourd juice offers vast benefits from purifying blood naturally to providing nutrients. Consuming it on empty stomach helps in managing the levels of blood sugars, cleanses the liver, and aids in weight loss.
Ingredients:
- 2 tender, medium size bitter gourds
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup of apple juice or any clear juice of your choice
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp of either honey, (or) jaggery powder, (or) ginger, (or) pepper (optional)
Method:
- Scrape the Karela and cut it into halves.
- Scoop out the flesh and seeds. Cut the vegetable into tiny pieces.
- Add Karela pieces into a juicer along with salt and lemon juice. Blend and add water.
- You can add either apple juice, honey, jaggery powder, ginger to reduce the bitter taste.
5 Side Effects Of Karela
1. May Interfere With Drugs
Combining bitter gourd with standard drugs may lower blood sugar levels way too much. This may lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes, who are under medication, should consult their doctors before consuming bitter gourd.
2. May Cause Irregular Heart Rhythm
When the heart rhythm gets irregular, it leads to the pooling of blood in one side of the heart. This can result in the platelets forming clots in the pool, thereby causing a stroke or heart attack.
3. May Cause Vomiting And Diarrhea
Bitter gourd may cause vomiting and diarrhea due to its toxicity. Bitter gourd contains tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds known as cucurbitacins, which are toxic. In mice studies, excess consumption of the bitter gourd in the juice form was found to lead to toxicity.
4. May Cause Kidney Problems
Excess consumption of bitter gourd may alter kidney functions. Mice studies show that the administration of bitter melon up to 4000 mg/kg is considered to be safe, and it didn’t show any effect on mice’s kidney function. Intake of excess bitter gourd (more than the recommended dosage) may cause kidney problems.
However, more studies are required to understand its effect on humans.
5. May Stimulate Miscarriage
Bitter gourd may have emmenagogue (an increase of menstrual flow) and abortifacient effects if taken in excess.
It may also trigger contractions. Lactating women are not recommended to take bitter gourd in excess amounts. However, there is less scientific research available in this regard. Hence, it is best to consult a doctor.
Other Names For Karela
The Karela is known by different names in India as per their regional origin:
- In English: bitter melon, bitter gourd, bitter squash, and bitter apple.
- In Hindi: Karela.
- Telugu: Kakara.
- Marathi: Karle.
- Kannada: Hagalakayi.
- Tamil: Pagarkai.
- Konkani: Karate.
How To Use Bitter Gourd For Skin Home Remedies
1. Bitter gourd and cucumber
Cucumber has a high water content that keeps the skin moisturized. Additionally, it cleanses the skin and soothes skin irritation. This blend of bitter gourd and cucumber will cleanse your skin and leave your skin with a natural glow.
Ingredients
- ½ bitter gourd
- ½ cucumber
Method for use
- Deseed the bitter gourd and the cucumber and slice them into smaller pieces.
- Blend both of these together in a mixer to make a paste.
- Apply this paste on your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off using cold water.
- Repeat this remedy every day for the desired result.
2. Bitter gourd with egg yolk and yogurt
Loaded with nutrients, egg yolk keeps the skin hydrated and soft. Besides, it also protects the skin from UV damage. The lactic acid present in the yogurt helps to tighten skin pores and improves skin elasticity. This mask, therefore, helps to reduce signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp bitter gourd juice
- yogurt 1 tbsp
- 1 egg yolk
Method of use
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Apply this mixture evenly on your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 20-25 minutes.
- Now, sprinkle some water on your face and gently massage your face in circular motions for a few seconds.
- Rinse it off using warm water.
- Repeat this remedy every alternate day for the desired result.
3. Bitter gourd with basil, neem, and milk
Basil unclogs the skin pores to remove dirt and impurities from the skin and thus cleanses the skin. Milk is a gentle exfoliator for the skin and has a soothing effect on the skin.
Ingredients
- 1 bitter gourd
- A handful of basil leaves
- A handful of neem leaves
- 1 tsp milk.
Method of use
- Add the bitter gourd along with basil and neem leaves in a blender and blend everything together to make a paste.
- Next, add the milk to the paste and give it a good mix.
- Apply the paste evenly on your face.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off using lukewarm water.
- Repeat this remedy twice a week for the desired result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to eat karela in pregnancy?
No, it is not safe to eat Karela during pregnancy time because it may lead to birth defects in children and sometimes it may lead to miscarriages as well.
Is karela good for blood sugar?
Yes, it is very effective for controlling blood sugar levels. The Karela contains plant-based insulin-like compounds (Polypeptide-p or p-insulin) which help to control the glucose level in the blood. But it is also important to note the recommended dosage of Karela products from the medical practitioner.
Does karela lower blood pressure?
Yes, Karela is rich in potassium due to which it absorbs unnecessary sodium in the body and maintains the blood pressure.
Can we drink bitter gourd juice daily?
Yes. Drinking bitter gourd juice daily is good for your health. However, people with diabetes should consult a doctor before consumption.
Also read : Grapefruit: Everything You Need To Know
Can I drink bitter gourd juice at night?
The antioxidant properties of the bitter gourd flush out all toxins from the body and help detoxification of the liver. You may drink bitter gourd juice at night.