8 Benefits Of Bitter Gourd On Our Health

Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon or karela, is a vegetable that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to its numerous health benefits. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other beneficial plant compounds. Regular consumption of bitter gourd can provide a range of health benefits, from managing blood sugar levels in diabetes to improving skin health and reducing inflammation. In this article, we will explore the benefits of bitter gourd in more detail, and learn about the advantages of including this unique vegetable in your diet. So, let's dive in and discover the benefits of bitter gourd.

# Keeps Our Digestive System Healthy

Bitter gourd is good for our stomach and improves our digestive health.

The laxative properties of the dietary fibers in bitter gourd improves our bowel movement, helps proper elimination of stool, and thus provides relief from constipation and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.

Vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect our digestive system from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of colon cancer, abdominal cancer, intestinal cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer, etc.

The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C reduce stomach inflammation and minimize the risk of ulcers.

The anthelmintic compounds in bitter gourd kill infections worms in our stomach and keep digestive problems at bay.

The antimicrobial properties of the bitter gourd protect the digestive system from microbial infections and diseases.

# Boost Our Immune System

Bitter gourd strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that prevents and treats microbial infections, injuries, diseases, and wounds.

Antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, and other relevant antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect our immune cells aka white blood cells from free radical damage, and thus strengthens our immunity.

Vitamin C enhances the production of white blood cells in the body and further strengthens our immunity.

With stronger immunity, our risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc reduces drastically.

The antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of the bitter gourd protect us from the ill effects of microbial infections and further strengthens immunity.

Other nutrients like iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins in bitter gourd also contribute to stronger immune health.

# Beneficial For Diabetics

Consuming bitter gourd or bitter gourd juice regulates our blood sugar level and helps in managing diabetes.

Because of its low glycemic index, it slows down the sugar release into the bloodstream, prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar level, and thus regulates blood sugar level.

Dietary fibers in the bitter gourd reduce the rate at which sugar gets absorbed by the bloodstream and helps in managing diabetes.

Polypeptide-P, a phytonutrient in the bitter gourd mimics the action of insulin and lowers the blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

Other phytochemicals like triterpene, protein, steroid, alkaloid, lipid, and certain phenolic compounds also plays an important role in regulating blood sugar level.

Even with the anti-diabetic properties of the bitter gourd, consume them in moderation as excessive intake may drop blood sugar to an abnormally low level, thereby increasing the risk of hypoglycemia with symptoms like shakiness, dizziness, sweating, hunger, fast heartbeat, and irritability.

Also, if you are already on diabetic medication, then consult your doctor before adding bitter gourd or bitter gourd juice to your diet to ensure that there is no food-drug intolerance.

# Helps In Managing Weight

Eating 100 grams of bitter gourd provides 17 calories of energy, and this makes it very beneficial for individuals who are on a weight loss journey and would like to shed some extra pounds.

The dietary fibers in the bitter gourd provide satiety to the stomach, decrease the urge to eat again and again, and thus controls overeating which is a major cause of obesity.

Drinking bitter gourd juice on the empty stomach improves metabolism and thus accelerates the burning of stored fats.

Bitter gourd also contains an abundance of water that improves digestion, improves metabolism, and ensures proper absorption of nutrients from the food.

# Good For Eyes & Prevents Vision-Related Disorders

Bitter gourd is good for our eyes and improves our ocular health.

Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect the eyes from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.

Vitamin A is an essential mineral for our eyes as it improves vision and prevents eye dryness and minimizes the risk of night-blindness.

The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C minimize the risk of inflammatory glaucoma.

Other nutrients like zinc, selenium, potassium and B vitamins, etc also play a significant role in keeping our eyes healthy.

# Provides Antioxidantal Benefits

Bitter gourd provides numerous antioxidantal benefits as they contain antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc.

These antioxidants and associated compounds protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage and thus minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, lung cancer, intestinal cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer, etc.

Antioxidants also provide several other benefits like improved cardiovascular health, cholesterol management, aids with detoxification, stronger immunity, protection from neurodegenerative diseases, improved respiratory health and better ocular health, etc.

# Helps In Reducing Stress

Bitter gourd provides relief from stress and anxiety which have now become an integral part of life for most people and may cause havoc to physical, mental, and emotional health.

Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect the cells and tissues from free radical damage and improves the functioning of the cells.

Potassium in bitter gourd relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and relieves stress and anxiety.

It also contains vitamin B complex and magnesium that are natural antidepressants.

The anti-bilious and sedative properties of the bitter gourd promote good internal health and minimize stress.

# Helps In Reducing Blood Pressure

Bitter gourd provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure, a health condition that affects millions of people around the world and is a prime cause of several cardiovascular problems and other health problems.

Potassium, a natural vasodilator present in the bitter gourd relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and thus provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.