Health Benefits of Drinking Karela or Bitter Gourd Juice

Bitter gourd is another name for karela. This bright green, extremely bitter vegetable is probably the least popular among people all over the world.

Try serving ‘Karela' dishes to your family or friends; chances are you'll get a lot of "it's eww..." and "yucky" responses, even as your taste buds become repulsed by this unpopular vegetable.

Did you know that karela is a fruit rather than a vegetable? The bitter squash fruit is the part of the plant that is consumed and used for a variety of medicinal purposes.

We've been so focused on its bitter flavour that we've ignored not only this reality but also the wide range of benefits that drinking bitter gourd juice provides.

Health benefiting properties of Karela Juice:

The nutritional profile of karela juice is just one of its many advantages. Karela is one of the most nutritious vegetables on the planet.

Antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals abound. There are many advantages to eating bitter gourd on a daily basis. 

These nutrients can be obtained by blending 1 cup (93 grams) raw bitter melon with 1/2 cup (118 ml) filtered water: 16 calories, 3.4 grams carbohydrates, 2.6 grams fibre, 0.9 grams protein, 0.2 grams fat, 95% vitamin C, 17% folate, 10% zinc, 6% potassium, 5% iron, 4% vitamin A. (USDA)

Health Benefits of Karela or Bitter Gourd Juice:

• Maintains Sugar Levels

Bitter gourd contains a substance that works similarly to insulin. In reality, the terms "Karela" and "diabetes" are often used interchangeably! In both types, I and type II diabetes lower blood glucose levels.

Diabetes patients may need to reduce the dosage of their medications after drinking a glass of Karela juice.

For diabetics, a glass of bitter gourd juice in the morning is highly recommended. According to numerous reports, drinking this juice on a daily basis improves glycemic regulation.

 

• Maintains Cholesterol Levels

Bitter gourd juice is anti-inflammatory and aids in the reduction of harmful cholesterol in the body.

It also helps to keep the body's blood pressure in check because it's high in potassium, which absorbs excess sodium. It's high in iron and folic acid, both of which are believed to lower the risk of stroke and keep the heart in good shape.

Poor cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), forms plaque in arteries, causing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and other coronary heart issues.

Karela juice has anti-inflammatory properties and aids in the reduction of LDL cholesterol levels. It also enhances the immune system and protects the heart due to its high iron content.

• Promotes Weight Loss

Karela juice can help you lose weight because it is low in calories and high in fibre.

It boosts metabolism and the antioxidants help detoxify the body, resulting in fat loss. It has a low calorie, fat, and carbohydrate content.

Karela juice holds you fuller for longer, so it's a good option for weight loss. Bitter gourd extracts assist in the dislocation of human fat cells while also preventing the development and growth of new fat cells. As a result, bitter gourd may be considered a natural treatment for obesity.

• Handles Hangover

After a wild night of drinking, do you have too much alcohol in your system? You can get rid of it quickly by drinking bitter gourd juice, which flushes out the alcoholic intoxication that has built up in your liver.

Bitter gourd juice is emetic, which means it will make you feel sick and cleanse your system from the inside out.

If you've had too much alcohol and want to flush it out while keeping your liver safe, all you have to do is drink this juice on an empty stomach. Antioxidants help to protect the liver, prevent it from falling, and prevent alcohol poisoning.

• Boosts Immunity

Bitter gourd helps to combat viruses and bacteria while also boosting immunity. It helps to keep allergies and indigestion at bay.

Antioxidants are powerful defence mechanisms against illness and also aid in the battle against free-radical damage, which can lead to cancer.

Karela juice, particularly in the winter, is a wonderful ingredient for fighting infections. After eating karela on a regular basis, the body's stamina and energy levels increase noticeably.

• Purifies Blood

Because of its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, karela juice acts as an instant blood purifier.

To stimulate blood circulation, remove infections from the blood, and flush out toxins, drink this juice at least twice a week.

Karela contains a high amount of antioxidants, which aids in the treatment of many problems associated with tainted blood.

Bitter gourd juice can help with skin, hair, and cancer problems if consumed regularly. It also aids in the improvement of blood circulation.

• Aids In Liver Health

Bitter gourd is good for your liver and helps you detox. It increases liver enzymes and decreases alcohol deposits in the liver.

Consumption of karela is also beneficial to the bladder and the digestive system. 

The juice cleanses the bowels and treats a variety of liver ailments. It also improves the way your bladder works.

It can be consumed with other vegetables or alone in moderation.

• Nourishes Skin 

Bitter gourd juice is recommended by doctors for better skin. It reduces wrinkles and prevents premature skin ageing.

It gives your skin a healthy glow, prevents psoriasis, and relieves itching, particularly in the winter. As a result, this juice can also benefit your skin!

Studies have suggested that it is useful in treating various skin infections like ringworm, psoriasis, and itching.

• Nourishes Hair 

Apart from being beneficial to your skin and health, karela is also beneficial to your hair.

So, if you suffer from hair loss or dry hair, you should include bitter gourd juice in your diet and notice a difference.

Some products even have its extract as it has so many antioxidants that can cleanse your scalp and improve the texture of your hair.

• Improves Vision

Karela is high in vitamin A, which helps to avoid cataracts and improve vision. It also helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles.

It even has a lot of iron and antioxidants that can prevent the damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress in the eyes of ageing individuals.

 

 

Side-Effects of Karela or Bitter Gourd Juice:

Though some people enjoy karela juice, others may find its bitter flavour unappealing.

Furthermore, drinking too much of this juice can be harmful, as it may cause side effects. Let's take a look at some of the negative consequences:

• If consumed in large quantities they may cause abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

• Some people may be allergic to Karela juice.

• Excessive consumption can drastically lower blood sugar levels in people who are already on medications for diabetes.

• Avoid drinking karela juice (especially the seeds) in pregnancy as it can be harmful.

Conclusion:

Karela juice is rich in nutrients and has a long list of health benefits. Though further research into the health benefits of karela juice is required, it can provide many essential nutrients and can aid in the optimization of your health when consumed in moderation.

Hope you liked the health benefits of drinking karela or bitter gourd juice. 🙏