Health Benefits of Karela Juice (Bitter Gourd)

When you hear the name bitter gourd, your taste buds begin sensing the bitter side of this bitter vegetable that has many health benefits. Especially, if you’re a diabetic patient, then you will definitely have to add this Karela juice to your regular diet. The reason why this vegetable is so healthy is that it has many antioxidants and vitamins that can help your body counter diseases that you may be prone to.

Nutritional Value of Bitter Gourd

According to the USDA, 100 grams of karela has about 34 calories with 13-milligram sodium, 602 grams potassium, 7 grams total carbohydrate and 3.6 grams protein. Know the following benefits of karela juice

Also See: Health Benefits of Green Coriander

Here are some karela juice benefits that you need to know:

1. Good for Diabetics

Bitter gourd has a compound that functions similar to insulin. In fact, ‘Karela and diabetes’ are often coined together! It reduces the blood glucose levels in both types I and types II diabetes. Consuming a glass of karela juice is so effective that diabetes patients need to diminish the dosage of their medicines.

2. Good for the Skin and Hair

Karela is rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which are good for your skin. It reduces ageing and fights acne and skin blemishes. It is useful in treating various skin infections like ringworm, psoriasis, and itching. Karela juice adds lustre to the hair and combats dandruff, hair loss, and split-ends.

3. Liver Cleanser

Bitter gourd is liver friendly and detoxifies. It boosts the liver enzymes and is a good cure for a hangover as it decreases alcohol deposits on the liver. Bladder and the gut also benefit from consuming karela juice.

4. Good for Digestion

Karela is full of fibre and helps improve bowel movement. It relieves constipation and settles the stomach.

5. Improves Cardiac Health

Bitter gourd reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) and decreases the risk of suffering a heart attack. The fibre also helps to unclog the arteries.

6. Combats Cancer

Karela boosts immunity and prevents allergies and infections. But its most significant benefit is that it fights cancer. It works against cancer cell proliferation and stops tumor formation. The risk of breast, colon and prostate cancer is significantly decreased after regular consumption of bitter gourd

7. Weight Management

Karela aids in weight loss as it is low in calories and fibre-rich. It stops the formation and growth of adipose cells, the ones that store fat in the body. It improves metabolism, and the antioxidants help detoxify the body leading to the reduction in fat.

How To Make Karela Juice?

Drinking bitter gourd juice offers vast benefits from purifying blood naturally to providing nutrients. Consuming it on empty stomach helps in managing the levels of blood sugars, cleanses liver and aids in weight loss.

Ingredients:

• 2 tender, medium size bitter gourds
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup of apple juice or any clear juice of your choice
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp of either honey, (or) jaggery powder, (or) ginger, (or) pepper (optional)

Method:

• Scrape the Karela and cut into halves.
• Scoop out the flesh and seeds. Cut the vegetable into tiny pieces.
• Add Karela pieces into a juicer along with salt and lemon juice. Blend and add water.
• You can add either apple juice, honey, jaggery powder, ginger to reduce the bitter taste.