5 Proven Health Benefits Of Lauki

Said to be domesticated in Souther Africa, bottle gourd holds a special place in the Indian Kitchen due to its ‘easy on the palette’ taste and innumerable nutritional health benefits.

Bottle gourd, also known as lauki or ghiya is a light green colour vegetable that is available in a variety of shapes and sizes. It can be round, curved, uniformly cylindrical, bulbous, short, or extremely long. The flesh internally is creamy white with small seeds.

# Promotes weight loss

1. The fibre content of lauki helps in keeping the stomach full for longer periods. Fibre curbs unnecessary appetite thus promoting weight loss.

2. Lauki is low in calories and contains no fat.

# Keeps the body hydrated

1. The high water, sodium, and potassium content of bottle gourd replenish the body thus beating the heat.

2. The fibre and water content of lauki cools the body temperature. The internal mechanism of the body soothes on consuming ghiya.

3. Ghiya prevents fatigue and also keeps the body refreshed and cool during summers.

# Helps in digestion

1. Bottle Gourd helps improve digestion and maintains a healthy digestive system.

2. The fibre content of lauki helps in smooth movement of the bowel and boosts the digestive system thus, treats constipation, flatulence, piles, and acidity.

3. The high water content of ghiya helps in cleaning the digestive tract thus, promoting easy digestion.

# Reduces stress

1. Lauki contains choline – a kind of neurotransmitter that enhances the brain functions thus, preventing depression, stress, and other mental conditions.

2. Ghiya soothes the body and mind thus, beating stress.

# Other possible Benefits

Bottle gourd produces several health benefits, apart from the health benefits mentioned above, it also produces a few more such as cleanses the skin, controls skin disorders,regulates blood pressure, protects against kidney stones, prevents urinary disorders, treats urinary tract infections, acts as a natural sedative, facilitates liver health, reduces the risk of several types of cancers, beneficial for diabetics,prevent the risk of heart ailments,treats sleeping disorders, and prevents premature greying of hair.