Is it safe to drink karela (bitter gourd) juice? Benefits and side effect

Bitter Gourd is one of the healthiest vegetables in the world. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, it can be consumed as a vegetable, pickle, or juice. There are several advantages of consuming bitter gourd on a daily basis.

As the name implies, the fruit and its juice have a bitter flavor that some people find unpleasant.

However, its juice has grown in popularity due to its numerous health advantages, including decreased blood pressure and enhanced skin health.

Bitter Gourd juice is produced from the fruit Momordica charantia, often known as bitter melon. It gets its name from Indian language interpretations of "bitter melon."

The fruit has an unusual rough, bumpy surface and is available in two varieties: Chinese bitter melon and Indian bitter melon.

The Chinese variant has a pale-green hue and grows to almost 8 inches (about 20 cm). It has smooth, wart-like lumps on its skin.

The Indian variant is about 4 inches (about 10 cm) in length, with pointy ends, spiky skin, and a dark-green color.

On the interior, both contain white flesh that becomes more bitter as the fruit ripens. It can be made from either type.

Recipe for Preparing Bitter Gourd Juice

How does one correctly prepare this juice so that it tastes delicious and you love drinking it in the morning?

So, dilute it with the appropriate amount of water and flavor it with salt and lemon juice. Isn't that simple? And it's delicious enough to eat every day!

Nutritional Information of Bitter Gourd Juice

Bitter gourd juice is high in a variety of nutrients. Blending 1 cup (93 grams) raw bitter melon with 1/2 cup (118 ml) filtered water, for example, will provide the nutrients listed below.

● Calories: 16

● Carbs: 3.4 grams

● Fiber: 2.6 grams

● Protein: 0.9 grams

● Fat: 0.2 grams

● Vitamin C: 95% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)

● Folate: 17% of the RDI

● Zinc: 10% of the RDI

● Potassium: 6% of the RDI

● Iron: 5% of the RDI

● Vitamin A: 4% of RDI

● Sodium: 0 mg

Karela juice has a lot of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps with immunity, brain health, and tissue repair.

Top Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd Juice

The advantages of karela juice extend beyond its nutritional profile.

It has long been lauded for its wide range of applications and has been integrated into many non-Western medical traditions, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese medicine.

1. Cures Diabetes and Maintains Blood Sugar levels.

Several studies have found that karela juice may aid in the management of blood sugar levels.

Polypeptide-p, charantin, and vicine are the three major components that have been proven to have glucose-lowering effects.

Polypeptide-p is considered to operate similarly to insulin, an essential hormone that aids in blood sugar regulation by promoting the absorption of sugar from the blood into cells and tissues.

Both charantin and vicine have been found to decrease blood sugar levels. However, it is presently unknown how this works in your body.

Moreover, many additional chemicals in karela juice may help preserve and even repair cells in your pancreas, the organ responsible for insulin release.

For 90 days, 24 individuals were given 2 grams of bitter melon extract or a placebo. Those who consumed the bitter melon extract had lower levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker of long-term blood sugar levels.

Lower HbA1c values imply improved blood sugar management and a lower risk of diabetes.

2. Beneficial for the Skin & Hair

Bitter gourd juice is high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, both of which are beneficial to the skin. It tackles acne and skin imperfections while also slowing down the aging process. 

It can be used to treat a variety of skin illnesses, including ringworm, psoriasis, and itching. Karela juice provides shine to the hair and helps to prevent dandruff, hair loss, and split ends.

3. Rich in Fibre

Karela is high in fiber and aids with bowel movement. It soothes the stomach and reduces constipation.

4. Liver Detoxifier

Bitter gourd is beneficial to the liver and detoxifies it. It increases liver enzymes and is an excellent hangover treatment because it decreases alcohol deposits in the liver. Consuming it is also beneficial to the bladder and the intestines.

5. Fights Cancer

It strengthens the immune system and protects against allergies and infections. 

The most important advantage is that it kills cancer. It inhibits cancer cell growth and prevents tumor development. Bitter gourd intake reduces the risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer substantially.

6. Enhances Cardiac Health

Bitter gourd lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowers the chance of having a heart attack. The fiber also aids in the unclogging of the arteries.

7. Heals Injuries

It possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. It regulates blood flow and coagulation, resulting in faster wound healing and a reduction in infections.

8. Purifier of the Blood

It contains a high concentration of antioxidants, which aids in the treatment of various diseases associated with tainted blood. Bitter gourd eating on a regular basis improves skin, hair, and cancer issues. It also aids in the improvement of blood circulation.

9. Advantageous for the Eyes

Karela is high in vitamin A, which helps to prevent cataracts and improves vision. It even helps to brighten dark circles. 

10. Weight Control

Karela promotes weight reduction since it is low in calories and high in fiber. It inhibits the development and proliferation of adipose cells, which are responsible for fat storage in the body. It boosts metabolism and the antioxidants assist cleanse the body, resulting in fat loss.

Some Precautions to be taken while having Bitter Gourd Juice

● While some individuals enjoy karela juice, others may find its harsh flavor repulsive.

● Furthermore, drinking too much of this juice may be harmful, since it might result in stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. However, there is little scientific data to establish how much is safe to ingest.

● Furthermore, because the long-term consequences are unknown, it may not be suitable for everyone.

● People with diabetes and those on medication should see their healthcare provider before beginning a karela juice course due to its effect on blood sugar.

● Furthermore, the bitter melon extract may have an impact on your endocrine system, which regulates hormones and reproduction.

Concluding Note

As you can see, bitter gourd juice has several health benefits owing to its antibacterial and nutritional properties. However, you need to keep in mind certain precautions before incorporating bitter gourd juice into your daily diet so that you don’t have to face any unfortunate adverse effects of this otherwise wonderful natural medicine.