Bitter Gourd – Is it THAT bad?
Even though the name ‘bitter gourd’ doesn’t necessarily make you want to run out & take it, there are many health & herbal benefits. Otherwise known as bitter melon, it is an immature pod-vegetable which happens to be popular in many Asian countries. It is known to be the most bitter among all vegetables used in cooking. It’s found in Southeast Asia, and is a fast-growing, vine-like plant. It’s closely related to cucumbers, cantaloupe, and squash.
For those who are looking to keep their calorie intake down, bitter gourd is only 17 calories per 100g. The pods are rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It has a nutrient in it that helps keep blood sugar levels under control. Bitter gourd also is a great source for folate, which helps reduce the numbers of birth defects in newborns when taken my expectant mothers. Bitter gourd also stimulates easy digestions & breaking down of food through the digestive tract, which helps relieve indigestion & constipation issues. Early lab tests have suggested that there are compounds in bitter gourd (bitter melon) that might be effective in treating HIV infection.
When choosing bitter gourd, be sure to pick ones that are dark-green in color, and that don’t have any blemishes on them. It’s better to choose the young, tender pods, which are the least bitter. When you get them home, place them in a Ziploc bag & be sure to keep it in the vegetable area of your refrigerator.
Category: HERBS
