Ash gourd is a common vegetable grown throughout India, particularly in the state of Kerala. Indians commonly use it in cooking and confectionery. You will also find its reference in ayurvedic medicine due to its medicinal qualities. Hairy melon, fuzzy melon, ash pumpkin, gourd, winter melon, white gourd, tallow gourd, white pumpkin, and Chinese preserving melon are all different names for it. People in the southern part of India use ash gourd for various curries. In northern India, it is used for the famous and scrumptious ‘Agra Petha’. Ash gourd is said to have a lot of health benefits.
Health benefits of ash gourd
Helps control diabetes
Ash gourd contains 92% water and 8% fibre. Researchers regard it as one of the healthiest vegetables for diabetes prevention. It is diabetes friendly due to its low concentration of glucose and low glycemic index. Research shows that extract of ash gourd significantly decreases elevated blood glucose levels. This glucose lowering activity is due to the presence of antioxidants such as flavonoids, tannins, phenols, glycosides and alkaloids present in the plant.
Packed with antioxidants
Ash gourds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer properties, because polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins are present in it. As a result, they have the potential to reduce inflammation and combat cell damage.
Helps calm the body
Ash gourds have sedative effects. It gives the body a calm and relaxing sensation. Regular use of ash gourds may help improve mild symptoms of epilepsy, neurosis, paranoia, anxiety and insomnia.
Improves respiratory processes
Ash gourd is known for its anti-asthmatic properties. It helps control common cold, cough, fever, sinusitis, bronchitis, influenza, improves lung function and reduces allergies. Ash gourds help in the release of mucus in the lungs and nose. This is because the vegetable has expectorant properties (discharge of mucus from the respiratory tract). It promotes breathing and reduces excessive mucus secretion.
Helps in kidney detoxification
Ash gourds are diuretic in nature, which means it increases urine production excreting toxins out ensuring optimal hydration of the body. Juice of ash gourd increases salt excretion that helps maintain blood pressure. It also helps in detoxification of the kidneys and bladder to do their daily functions. On top of that, studies also show that it can lower blood urea, blood creatinine, urinary glucose, urinary potassium level, creatinine, and total blood protein levels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a wide use of ash gourd in traditional medicine to prevent or treat a variety of diseases. In addition, ash gourd can help in digestion, reduce inflammation, and protect against infection, ulcers, and type 2 diabetes. There’s no harm in giving ash gourds a try, even if it’s just to add diversity to your diet or an interesting twist to your cuisine.
However, you must consult a dietitian before incorporating any food in your diet before consumption.
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