Top health benefits of Karela – Karela aka Bitter Guard has bitterness both in its name and taste. We would not be surprised if you fall under the category of people hating Karela. Karela is loaded with tons of antioxidants and essential vitamins that make it a must-have in your health routine. They are dark and light green in color which depends on the region, they are grown. Here, we have brought you some of the top health benefits of Karela (Bitter Gourd).
Most of us surely have cried and cringed for eating Karela even being told it is good for health. But now that we are grownups and struggling with the modern day health disorders it is high time that we make things better with the bitter fruit. The benefits of Bitter gourd are exactly what we need in recent times to lead a healthy life.
Nutritional benefits of Bitter Gourd
Karela scientifically known as Momordica charantia is enriched with an abundant amount of vitamins and minerals. It is rich in Magnesium, iron, potassium, and vitamins like A and C. Karela have double amounts of calcium what is present in Spinach and beta carotene in Broccoli. This wonder bitter fruit has also antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The nutritional benefits of karela, range from lowering the bad cholesterol to reducing the risk of heart strokes. Also, it helps in boosting the immune system, skin health, and even makes you look younger. According to USDA every 100 grams of Karela contains the mentioned below.
- 34 calories with 13-milligram sodium.
- 602 grams of Potassium.
- 7 grams Carbohydrates.
- 6 grams Protein.
The list of Health benefits of Karela (Bitter Gourd)
Knowing Karela has tons of benefits does not make an iota of a difference in our disliking towards it. Even grownups restrain themselves from eating it let alone the kids. But we cannot ignore the decreasing life span because of a number of health problems nowadays. Therefore, it is now time to make Karela a must have in your diet routine. Scroll down to know some of the major advantages of bitter melon.
Karela for diabetes
Diabetes is surely a growing challenge in India with an estimated 8.7% diabetic population in the age group of 20 and 70 years. The rising prevalence of diabetes has got everyone worried for the obvious reasons. But the regular intake of Karela is known to show effective results on this problem. Bitter gourd contains polypeptides, an insulin-like compound called Charantin that has antidiabetic and hypoglycemic properties.
Regular intake of Karela can prove beneficial in reducing the blood sugar levels in the people suffering from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Because of the presence of a natural insulin-like compound in Karela, it is advised to consult your doctor before consuming it.
Bitter gourd for Digestion
Karela has abundant amounts of dietary fiber which is eventually good for digestion. Regular consumption of karela in any form will make you less prone to the digestive problems like constipation, indigestion etc. to name a few of them. Moreover, it helps in the growth of healthy gut bacteria that further favors digestion and better nutrient absorption in the body.
Helps in Weight Loss
As karela is low in calories, fats, and carbohydrates it can easily be your natural agent for reducing extra weight or treating obesity. Consuming Karela on a regular basis stimulates the production of bile acids in the liver that is essential for metabolizing the fats in the body. If you are a fitness enthusiast then adding it to your diet routine will do wonders.
Boosts the immune system
Bitter gourd helps in strengthening the immune system by fighting viruses and bacteria. It is an extremely rich source of Vitamin C that further helps in maintaining a better and functional immune system. Also, if various studies are to be believed Bitter gourd has anti-cancerous and anti-tumor properties as well. So, it can also reduce the risk of prostate, breast and cervical cancer.
Karela for glowing skin
You probably have heard of the common saying, “What you eat reflects on your face” and it could not be truer. Regular intake of Karela can bless your skin with glow, radiance and shine just like you had in your 20’s. It basically works by purifying the blood, detoxification which eventually results in not only better skin but also hair. Karela helps in curing various skin issues listed below.
- Acne.
- Rashes.
- Aging.
- Blood boils etc.
Conclusion
Hope you are now clear with the incredible benefits that Karela has in store for you. So, if you were restraining yourself from this wonder fruit then we will definitely recommend you to start eating it right away. But as we all are aware of the fact that moderation is the key to everything, therefore, you must take the precautions while consuming it.