Bottle gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, ash gourd, etc. – there are some of the varieties of gourds found in different parts of the globe. Gourds belong to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae and they are native to tropical and warm temperate climates.
“I hate ash gourd, it’s so bland. And bitter gourd? Ugh, it’s so bitter! And don’t even get me started on bottle gourd, it’s just plain boring and bland””- these are some of the statements that we often hear from children and even adults when they are told to eat gourd varieties.
Gourds may not be very attractive in appearance and taste but they possess amazing health benefits. If you become aware of the health benefits of gourds, then you will appreciate the importance of including them in your diet. With a little bit of creativity, tasty dishes can be churned out of gourds.
In this post, I will be touching upon the amazing health benefits of bottle gourd.
Bottle gourd is (Lagenaria siceraria) is popularly known as lauki, ghia or dudhi in India. The most commonly found varieties in India are the bottle-shaped bottle gourds and somewhat spindle- shaped ones.
Health Benefits of Bottle Gourd
Bottle gourd is a very good source of dietary fibre. It is low in calories and has significant amounts of potassium and zinc. Bottle gourd has been receiving a lot of attention from health enthusiasts in the recent times due to the various health benefits it offers.
Bottle gourd peel too has very good nutrition. It is high in calcium and iron and also the phosphorus content is higher when compared to the whole vegetable. It has very good antioxidant properties. An interesting recipe using bottle gourd peel is given under “Recipe Corner” at the end of this post.
1. Bottle Gourd Helps in the Reduction of Lipid Levels in the Blood
Bottle gourd has very good lipid reducing properties. Studies have revealed that the administration of an aqueous extract of bottle gourd orally reduced the levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol), but at the same time enhanced the levels of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol).
As bottle gourd is also a good source of dietary fibre, it helps in reducing the blood cholesterol levels. The saponins (saponins are a wide variety of phytochemicals naturally present in plant foods) present in bottle gourd rapidly remove fatty acids from the blood, thereby reducing serum lipid levels.
2. Bottle Gourd Is a Natural Diuretic
Bottle gourd juice acts as a natural diuretic. Studies on rats revealed that the rats treated with bottle gourd extract showed increased urine output when compared to the control group. Diuretics relieve pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema (swelling of legs and hands) as they remove excess fluid from the body. They also reduce blood volume, thereby reducing the pumping load on the heart.
Due to its diuretic properties, bottle gourd removes toxins from the body and also acts as a natural cleanser.
3. Bottle Gourd Is Good For People Suffering From Hypertension
Bottle gourd has significant potassium content (87 mg/100 gms). Potassium causes relaxation of the blood vessels walls and hence reduces blood pressure. In view of this, regular consumption of bottle gourd or bottle gourd juice helps in regulating blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension. The diuretic property of bottle gourd juice also plays a role in bringing down blood pressure as it removes excess water from the body and decreases the blood volume.
4. Bottle Gourd Helps in Protecting the Heart
Bottle gourd juice is known to be good for the heart as it has cardio-protective properties. Animal studies involving rats fed with bottle gourd juice over a period of time showed that long-term treatment with bottle gourd juice helped to maintain the normal cardiac enzyme levels. The presence of polyphenolic compounds in bottle gourd is believed to lend cardioprotective effects to it . Also, the compounds in bottle gourd have shown to reduce the effects of the drug-induced stress on the heart muscle.
Oxidative stress* is known to cause cardiovascular disease and also diseases like diabetes, cancer, etc. Saponins, which are present in very good quantities in bottle gourd, act as antioxidants and prevent cardiovascular damage caused due to oxidation.
*Oxidative stress is a state in which the body produces excess amount of free radicals that cause damage to cells, produce structural defects and cause functional alteration in several enzymes and DNA.
5. Bottle Gourd Helps in Regulating Blood Sugar Levels
Bottle gourd is low in calories, has a significant fibre content and a low glycemic index, which makes it a very apt food for people with diabetes. Glycemic index is the ability of a food to increase blood sugar level.
Type 2 diabetes prevalence has increased manifold worldwide. Research studies have shown that a plant-based diet is very helpful in keeping blood sugar levels at check. The bioactive phytochemicals present in bottle gourd can inhibit the breakdown of oligosachharides and release of glucose into the blood stream, resulting in lesser absorption of sugar. Hence, consuming bottle gourd in any form will help maintain blood sugar levels in persons with diabetes.
Bottle gourd also helps in curbing the activity of the enzyme that plays a role in increasing insulin resistance and decreasing insulin sensitivity.
6. Bottle Gourd Is Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that prevent the circulation of free radicals by their scavenging ability. Free radicals are responsible for causing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
Studies have demonstrated the radical scavenging activity of bottle gourd juice and the benefits of consuming bottle gourd juice in patients with atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels due to deposition of fat in the arteries) as it possesses radical scavenging activity. The antioxidant properties of bottle gourd is attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in it.
7. Bottle Gourd Has Liver Protective Properties
Bottle gourd juice has the ability to protect the liver from damage caused by drugs like anti-TB drugs. This may be attributed to the phenolic compounds and flavonoids present in the flesh of bottle gourd.
TB patients can consume bottle gourd juice after consulting with their physician, but it is important to make sure that the bottle gourd is not bitter as it cause toxicity.
8. Bottle Gourd Helps in Weight Loss
Bottle gourd is a boon for those aiming to shed some pounds. It boasts an impressively low calorie count of just 12 Kcal per 100 grams. Moreover, this vegetable contains a whopping 96% water content. This high water content contributes to a sense of satiety, effectively curbing hunger. Best of all, as bottle gourd is low in calories, it allows you to indulge in ample quantities without worrying about weight gain. Even when steamed and seasoned with a hint of black pepper and salt, it tastes delicious. What’s more, you won’t need to add any oil to enjoy its flavorful goodness.
9. Bottle Gourd Helps in Relieving Constipation
Bottle gourd is rich in fibre and has high water content. Both fibre and water content help to loosen stool, thereby preventing constipation. Hence, this is a very good food option for people suffering from chronic constipation.
10. Anti-Cancer Properties of Bottle Gourd
Bottle gourd is believed to have anti-cancer properties. The phytochemicals such as flavonoids present in this vegetable and also the presence of antioxidants seem to be contributing to its anti-cancer properties. These phytochemicals working through several biochemical pathways might be responsible for the anticancer properties of bottle gourd.
Bottle gourd, like several other gourds, has cucurbitacins that protect the plant from external biological attacks. The isolated extract of this compound has been used in folk medicine for treatment of cancer in some countries for their anti-cancer effects.
Uses of Bottle Gourd in Ayurveda And Traditional Medicine
- In Ayurveda, bottle gourd juice is recommended in the treatment of acidity, indigestion and ulcers as it is alkaline in nature.
- It is also recommended for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infections, epilepsy and other nervous system disorders.
- Bottle gourd is believed to have cooling properties, according to Ayurveda. Hence it is a very suitable vegetable to be consumed during summers.
Caution To Be Exercised While Consuming Bottle Gourd Juice 
Even nectar becomes poison when drunk excessively. You should exercise caution while taking bottle gourd juice. Advice on the quantity to be consumed should be sought from a certified dietitian or health care provider.
One should strictly not consume bottle gourd juice that is bitter in taste since it may be toxic and may cause serious side effects that may sometimes be life threatening too, if not treated on time. The toxicity is due to the presence of cucurbitacin, a compound found in bitter bottle gourds.
There have been reports of bottle gourd juice poisoning with severe abdominal pain, blood vomit (hemetemesis), drop in blood pressure, and ulceration throughout the digestive tract.
Did You Know?
- The colourful tutti fruitti enjoyed by adults and children alike is prepared from bottle gourd.
- The bottle gourd derives its name from the fact that it was used as a serving bowl, cup or bottle in those days in some parts of the world. It is also known as calabash, lauki, doodhi, ghia, kaddu and tarkari.
- In northern Telangana tribal communities like Gutti koyas and Lambadas use dry and hardened shells for various purposes like bottles, bowls, spoons and milk pots. In Khammam district of Telangana, ethnic groups are use dried shells of bottle gourd for for carrying liquor, water and honey.
RECIPE CORNER
1. Bottle gourd peel stir fry (Recipe Source: food.ndtv.com)
When I was searching for recipes with bottle gourd peel, I found this very unique and interesting. It’s from Bengali cuisine.
Ingredients
- Bottle gourd peels – 1 cup
- Onion – 1, finely sliced
- Nigella seeds (kalonji) – 1 tsp
- Dry red chillies – 3 to 4
- Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
- Salt – as per taste
- Sugar – as per taste
- Oil – 3 tsps
Method
Heat oil in a kadai. Add nigella seeds and dry red chillis and sauté till the seeds splutter. Add finely chopped onions and fry until the onions turn golden brown. Now, add the bottle gourd peel that has been cut into juliennes and mix well. Add turmeric powder and allow the peels to cook well by . When it is almost cooked, add sugar and salt according to taste. Mix well and once the peels are cooked, switch off the gas and remove the dish.
Enjoy this bottle gourd peel fry with steamed rice and ghee. You can also have it as an accompaniment to your dhal rice or khichdi.
Try this recipe and let me know your feedback in the “Comments” section.
2. Bottle Gourd Chutney
This is a very yummy recipe which will make you want more.
Ingredients
- Bottle gourd (lauki) – 1 cup chopped along with the peel
- Tomatoes -2
- Green Chillies -2
- Turmeric powder -1 teaspoon
- Oil – 1 tablespoon
- Mustard seeds (Rai) – 1 teaspoon
- Fenugreek seeds (Methi) – 1 teaspoon
- Urud dhal, split – 1 teaspoon
- Dry red chillies – 5 to 6
- Asafoetida (Hing) – 1/2 teaspoon
- Coriander or Cilantro (Dhania) leaves – 2 sprigs
- Tamarind pulp -1 teaspoon
Method
Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds and urad dal and fry till golden brown. Once the mustard seeds begin to sputter, add red chillies and asafoetida and fry for a few econds and keep this mixture aside. Half of this can go into the blender while grinding the chutney. The rest of it can be used as a seasoning on the finished chutney.
In the same kadai that was heated, add green chillies, coriander leaves, chopped tomatoes and chopped bottle gourd. Add turmeric powder and salt. Sprinkle some water and cook till the bottle gourd turns soft. Allow this mixture to cool. Once it is cool, add this mixture to the blender along with the earlier fried spices and tamarind and grind it to a coarse paste. Add a little water if necessary.
Season the chutney with the tempering mixture that was set aside. This delicious chutney will go well with idlis, dosa, hot rice and also chappati.
Hope you found this post informative!!
ReferencesClick to access article_207602_59798be1816b2320ab28bcd63255f4de.pdf
https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/diuretic-activity-of-lagenaria-siceraria-fruit-extracts-in-rats.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9523573/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612419/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19315260.2018.1513963 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4677076/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10364191/
Disclaimer: The information included in this post is for awareness purpose only and is not a substitute for medical advice. The readers should consult their healthcare providers to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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