Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon, is one of the vegetables that people rarely eat for one obvious reason: it's really bitter! But will you think twice about eating this vegetable if you found out it's benefits to your health?
Bitter gourd, a vegetable that looks like a dried crumply cucumber, is usually found in hot and humid places such as South America and some Asian countries. People usually soak freshly cut bitter gourd with salted water for 10 minutes before they cook it to lessen the bitter taste.
The effect of eating bittergourd has amazing effects to your health. It is probably one of the the best vegetables you can ingest that can help flush out toxins from your body and help improve your overall health. It contains just 17 calories per 100g but it is rich in fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C. It is also high in beta-carotene, calcium, potassium and also contains iron.
Bitter gourd is also praised for its medicinal properties to help with Type 2 Diabetes. Bitter gourd contains polypeptide-P, a unique phyto-nutrient that acts as an insulin replacement. It also has a hypoglycemic effect, charantin, that helps lower blood sugar levels. Both compounds are beneficial to people living with Type 2 diabetes.
Bittergourd can also help with other illnesses such as gout, psoriasis, skin eczema, asthma and bronchitis. Bitter gourd also boosts the immune system, helps good blood circulation and provides energy to your body. It can also be used as a pick-up drink for people with hangovers as it helps clean the liver.
Want to try bitter gourd? If you want to make it as a cleansing juice, try putting this vegetable on your juicer together with apples. If you cant take the taste, you can try eating it as a meal. Try washing the cut bitter gourd with salt and water then stir fry with egg and tomatoes. You can even use it for your salad. Use freshly cut bitter gourd (that has been washed with salt and water), sliced cucumbers and carrots. Top it off with apple cider and a bit of sugar.
