Karela, also known as bitter gourd or Momordica charantia, is a tropical vine related to zucchini, squash, pumpkin, and cucumber and belongs to the gourd family. It’s grown worldwide for its edible fruit, which is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine. Long, pale green, and covered with wart-like bumps, the Chinese type is the most common. The Indian version, on the other hand, is narrower and has pointy ends with rough, jagged spikes on the rind.
Bitter melon has been linked to several outstanding health benefits, in addition to its harsh flavor and unique look. There are essentially a lot of benefits of karela, especially karela juice. Indians, for example, have been aware of the benefits of karela juice since ancient ayurvedic times.
Here are a few Benefits of Karela
Good for Eyesight
Because it contains chemicals like beta-carotene and vitamin A, which are good for your eyes and enhance your vision, karela and karela juice can help avoid vision-related disorders like cataracts. It’s also an effective home treatment for dark circles. Moderation is essential in everything. Abdominal discomfort and diarrhea might result from consuming too much bitter gourd juice. Bitter gourd or its juice should not be consumed by pregnant women since it may stimulate the uterus and cause premature labor. A daily dose of 30 mL bitter gourd juice extract is suggested by doctors.
Helps in Weight Loss
Bitter gourd is a low-calorie, low-fat, and low-carbohydrate vegetable. It keeps you fuller for longer, making it easy to incorporate into your weight-loss regimen. Extracts of bitter gourd assisted in the displacement of human fat cells. They inhibited the development and proliferation of new fat cells, according to research published in the Journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2010. It was also discovered that bitter gourd may be used as a natural treatment for obesity.
Bitter melon is low in calories but high in fiber, making it a great complement to a weight-loss diet. Each one-cup (94-gram) meal includes approximately 2 grams of fiber. Fiber takes a long time to travel through your digestive tract, which helps you feel fuller for longer and reduces hunger and appetite. As a result, substituting bitter melon for higher-calorie components may help you improve your fiber consumption while also lowering your calorie intake, resulting in weight reduction.
Immunity Booster
Bitter gourd inhibits viruses and germs while also boosting immunity. It protects against allergies and indigestion as well. Antioxidants act as effective defensive mechanisms against sickness and aid in the battle against free radical damage, leading to many forms of cancer. Bitter-melon possesses anti-carcinogen and anti-tumor capabilities, according to research published in the Pharmaceutical Research Journal in 2010. It decreased the chance of developing prostate, breast, and cervical cancer.
Hair and Skin Health
Karela juice is high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which help prevent premature skin aging and wrinkles. It also lowers acne, helps with eczema and psoriasis treatment, and protects the skin from damaging UV radiation. Vitamin A, vitamin C, Biotin, and Zinc are all nutrients that give your hair luster and sheen. Applying bitter gourd juice on your scalp daily can help to prevent hair loss and greying, cure split ends and rough hair, fight dandruff, and relieve itching. Bitter gourd juice can be used straight to the scalp to prevent hair loss or mixed with curd and massaged into the scalp and hair for conditioning.
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Reduces Cholesterol
Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of Karela, it aids in the reduction of harmful cholesterol from our body. As a result, the risk of heart attack and stroke is considerably reduced. It also helps keep the body’s blood pressure in check since it’s high in potassium, absorbing excess salt. It’s high in iron and folic acid, both of which are proven to lower the risk of stroke and maintain your heart in good shape.
High cholesterol levels can cause fatty plaque to form in your arteries, making it difficult for your heart to pump blood and raising your risk of heart disease. Bitter melon has been proven to lower cholesterol levels in animals, which may help to improve overall heart health.
Maintains Blood Sugar
Diabetes affects approximately 382 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization. Polypeptide-p or p-insulin, an insulin-like molecule found in bitter gourd, has been proven to naturally manage diabetes. Four-week clinical research found that taking 2,000 mg of bitter melon daily lowered blood glucose levels in type-2 diabetic patients substantially.
Bitter gourd has plant-based insulin that has been found to assist people with type 1 diabetes. If people with diabetes take hypoglycemic medications, they may need to adjust their dosage if they drink bitter melon juice daily. They should see a doctor first.
Cleanses the Body
You may get rid of a hangover quickly by drinking Karela juice, which flushes away alcoholic intoxication in your liver. The juice cleanses your bowels and cures numerous liver issues. Research published in the International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition showed that a substance known as Momordica Charantia protects against liver failure by increasing the antioxidant activity of the enzymes in the liver. It also improves the performance of your bladder.
