Benefits Of Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd is a tropical vegetable, which is cultivated mainly in the Asian and African countries. It is also known by the name of ‘Karela’ and has a rough, warty skin. As the name suggests, the vegetable is bitter in taste and has a skin that is dark green in color. Bitter gourd has been found to have great medicinal value. In fact, it is said to have antidotal, antipyretic tonic, appetizing, stomachic, antibilious and laxative properties. This is the main reason why the vegetable is used in a number of native medicines of Asia and Africa. Given below is information of the health benefits and nutritional value of bitter gourd.
Nutritional Value of Bitter Gourd
100 grams of bitter gourd comprises of the following nutrients:
Calcium - 19 mg
Copper - 0.034 mg
Dietary Fiber - 3 g
Dietary Folate Equivalents - 72 mcg
Folate - 72 mcg
Food Folate - 5.6 mcg
Iron - 0.43 mg
Magnesium - 17 mg
Manganese - 0.089 mg
Pantothenic Acid - 0.212 mcg
Phosphorus - 31 mg
Potassium - 296 mg
Protein - 1 g
Selenium - 0.2 mcg
Sodium - 5 mg
Sodium - 5 mg
Total Carbohydrates - 4 g
Zinc - 0.8 mg
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Calcium
Total Fat - 0g
Saturated Fat - 0g
Cholesterol - 0 mg
Folic Acid - 0 mcg
Sugars - 0 g
Nutrition Benefits of Eating Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd has been associated with lowering sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes.
Bitter gourd is said to be helpful in fighting against cancer and a number of infections.
Bitter gourd has been known to provide relief from constipation and is also effective in the treatment of psoriasis.
Bitter gourd helps in improving circulation and in turn, generates slimming effects on the body.
Regular consumption of bitter gourd has been associated with prevention as well as treatment of hypertension.
Bitter gourd is believed to be helpful in preventing eye complications, apart from treating neuritis.
The juice of the leaf of bitter gourd plant has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism.
The essential vitamins and minerals present in bitter gourd help in treating defective metabolism of carbohydrates.
The bitter tonic properties of bitter gourd have made it effective as a blood purifier.
Fresh juice of bitter gourd is good for patients suffering from piles. ( Source : iloveindia.com )
You will need :-
- 3-4 medium sized Karela (bitter gourd)
- 1 medium size Onion
- 2-3 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp Tumeric
- 3-4 tsp dry coriander and cumin powder ( dhanajeera powder)
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp Jaggery or Sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Scrape the skin of karelas. I don't peel them. Wash them in running water. slice them and Onion too. I never discard the seeds when cooking karela, but I know some people do it.
Heat oil in a heavy bottom kadai and saute onion about 4-5 minutes or till light brown.
Now add karela and mix well. add all the masala and salt..stir well and cover the kadai with lid. cook about 10-12 minutes on a low heat.
In between stir and make sure vegetables do not stick to the base and burn. When sabji is ready add jaggery and lemon juice.
Mix well and cook 2-3 minutes more.
Ready to serve with round and soft Gujarati rotli and paratha...I make Gujarati Toor daal and rice with it.
Healthy karela subzi,would love to eat it with hot hot phulkas...
ReplyDeletehmm thats true kids doesnt lov karela...i lov karela..my hubby hate it..!!the sabzi looks grt n very useful for me.since iknoe less variety ways of cooking it..lov to try....
ReplyDeletehappy weekends!
I have recently started eating karela and kind of love it too. Sabji looks great.
ReplyDeleteHi Jagruti,
ReplyDeletethats for listing the benefits! I am not a big fan of karela..
Btw..have u added any new gadgets to ur blog.. I can see some huge square block on the upper side that makes navigation difficult.. has anyone else said this..
I love it's glossy look! You know it's got taste then! ;o)
ReplyDeleteNicely made and the gor balances the bitter perfectly, I like stuffed karelas.
ReplyDeletei happen to like karela, this one looks yum! its so nice that at least ur son enjoys the beneficial vegetable!
ReplyDeleteVery healthy ,quite hatred sabzi.....I love it though.wonderfully presented jagruthi
ReplyDeleteJagruti,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I am the only person who loves karela,haven't prepared with jaggery. Must try .loved reading your post with the accompaniment of songs.
fantastic choice of songs. it is playing in the background while I am browsing:)
ReplyDeleteThat's an informative post... I got to know so many good qualities abt karela... We love karela.. and your sabji is looking tempting :)
ReplyDeletehealthy and delicious subzi
ReplyDeleteDELICIOUS AND HEALTHY RECIPE..LOVED IT
ReplyDeletevery tempting curry jagruti
ReplyDeletethats my favourite..look yumm
ReplyDeleteWow... hugs to ur lil one...
ReplyDeleteKarela has never been hot fav's .. but a nicely cooked /seasoned one is the bestest sabji i cud have!
very nice post...very informative...the dish looks so yummy
ReplyDeleteReva
Great new dish to know about!
ReplyDeleteOut of respect for you and the food you share with us, I promise to give bitter gourd one more try :-) If anyone can make it palpable it would be you. Perhaps the sugar will help a bit. You've probably guessed that this is not my favorite vegetable. I hope you have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteVery informative. I love Karela..
ReplyDeleteeven my younger brother was a huge fan of fried bitter gourd as a toddler. Maa always had problem in feeding him but he used to enjoy this dish on its own. wish my son had shared the same habit.
ReplyDeletethis sabji looks too good Jagruti.
Very good blog is yours.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember when I started enjoy eating bitter gourd, but definitely not as a kid. Yours looks so delectable.
ReplyDeleteHealthy sabji,can have with anything..
ReplyDeletevery informative post and the karela sabji is healthy and delicious.
ReplyDeleteit will be surprize to me too if my kids eat karela...lol...too good!
ReplyDeleteThatz a aweome recipe yaar..Thanks for dropping by my blog...and wud love to follow u..
ReplyDeleteKarela is my fav fav fav....
ReplyDelete