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BITTER GOURDS |
Nutritional
Benefits
Bitter
gourds are very low in calories but dense with precious nutrients. It is an
excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, C, magnesium, folate, zinc,
phosphorus, manganese, and has high dietary fiber. It is rich in iron, contains
twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice
the potassium of a banana.
Bitter
melon contains a unique phyto-constituent that has been confirmed to have a
hypoglycemic effect called charantin. There is also another insulin-like
compound known as polypeptide P which have been suggested as insulin
replacement in some diabetic patients.
Bitter melon juice benefits to overcome type 2 diabetes. It has
been a part of the Chinese and Indian ancient medicine for a long time but only
recent research has proven that it is no folk lore. Type 2 diabetes is caused
partially due to the inability of a cell to absorb the sugar in the blood due
to insufficient insulin or due development of resistance to insulin.
In both cases, the cells
are unable to absorb the sugar due to the ineffectiveness of insulin produced.
The absorption of sugar occurs due to the activation of AMP-activated protein
kinase in the cells. Bitter gourd activated these kinases due to which the
absorption of sugar increases. And hence aids in bringing diabetes in control.
Green juice for diabetics: cucumbers, green apples, bitter melon,
celery, ½ green capsicum (bell pepper). Bitter melon contains certain chemicals
that are like insulin which help to reduce blood sugar levels.
Heart disease:
Bitter melon is very good for the heart in many ways. They help to
reduce the bad cholesterol levels which clog the arterial walls and thereby
reduce the chances of heart attacks. Also it is known to lower blood sugar
levels that help in maintaining good heart health.
Skin Benefits for Bitter Melon:
The appearance of your skin is largely determined by what you put
inside your body. In other words, getting proper nutrition is a pre requisite for
healthy and damage free skin. Being a natural blood purifier, bitter gourd
helps in improving the appearance of your skin. It provides the following
benefits to your skin:
Skin Infections:
Bitter melon benefits in treating skin diseases or skin infections,
eczema and psoriasis. Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice helps in
improving psoriasis condition as well as other fungal infections like ring worm
and athletes foot.
Dandruff:
Dandruff is a common problem and is mostly caused due to the
consumption of unhealthy food and exposure to pollution. To ward off dandruff,
you can prepare a hair pack by mixing bitter gourd juice and cumin seeds.
Regular usage of this pack will rid you of dandruff within a month.
Shiny Hair:
To impart a natural shine to your hair, you can mix a cup of fresh
bitter gourd juice with yoghurt and apply on your hair. Wash off after
sometime. This will make your hair shiny and beautiful.
Nutritional Value:
The numerous health, skin and hair benefits of bitter melon can be
attributed to its nutritional value. It has a wide array of vitamins and
minerals such as vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, calcium,
potassium, zinc, iron, copper and phosphorus. The chart given below shows the
nutritional value of bitter melon.
Blood disorders:
Bitter gourd juice is highly beneficial for treating blood
disorders like blood boils and itching due to toxemia. Mix 2 ounces of fresh
bitter gourd juice with some lime juice. Sip it slowly on an empty stomach
daily for between four and six months and see improvement in your condition.
Cholera:
In early stages of cholera, take two teaspoonfuls juice of
bitter gourd leaves, mix with two teaspoonfuls white onion juice and one
teaspoonful lime juice. Sip this concoction daily till you get well.
