In this article, you will understand the Health benefits of Ash gourd, its Nutrition content, etc

Whether you like it or not, there are some vegetables that you just can’t avoid. Ash gourd is one such vegetable. It is a tender vine that produces large fruit.

Famous as winter melon, wax gourd, Chinese watermelon, and white gourd, the ash gourd has a thick white flesh with a fuzzy appearance. BenicasaHispida is the botanical name of the ash gourd. These humble vegetables have immense medicinal properties that come in handy while treating ailments and diseases.

It has a low calorific value which prevents converting sugar into fat and is highly useful for obese and diabetic people. Read below to know more about Ash gourd benefits and how to choose one

Ash gourd

It is much creeper that produces big yellow fruit. Their leaves are around 10 to 20 centimeters and have long hairy steam. The fruits grow up to 30 centimeters, and it is oval in shape. The plant propagation is done through seeds. The vegetable has thick white flesh, which is sweet when it is immature.

By the time it reaches maturity, it loses its hairs, and a waxy coating is developed, which provides a longer shelf life. The vegetable supplies a lot of nutrition, being high in water content which provides a cooling effect on the body. Also, having zero cholesterol and augmenting heart health with a large number of minerals and vitamins facilitate metabolic functions in the body.

Nutrition content in ash gourd

Ash gourd comprises 96% of water and is very low in fat, calories, carbs, and protein. Yet, it has a rich amount of fiber and provides a small number of various nutrients. 100-gram of raw ash gourd offers.

• Protein: less than 1 gram.
• Calories: 13.
• Carbs: 3 grams.
• Fiber: 3 grams.
• Vitamin C: It has a 14% of  Daily Value (DV)
• Fat: less than 1 gram.
• Zinc: 6% DV.
• Riboflavin: 8% DV.

Ash gourd contains smaller amounts of magnesium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, and copper, as well as other B vitamins. Still, the amounts typically don’t exceed 3% of the nutrients DV. In addition to vitamin C, ash gourd is a better source of flavonoids and carotenes.

Two antioxidants are believed to help protect the body against cell damage and certain conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The antioxidant content is thought to be the main reason behind most of the benefits of ash gourds.

Health benefits of ash gourd

Accelerated weight loss

Ash gourd, being high in essential nutrients and low on calories, can be taken regularly by people who are strictly following a regular diet to lose weight. For people with diabetes, ash gourd can be very beneficial. It produces dietary fibers which can be processed easily in the stomach, keeping one feel full for longer, assisting in burning fat at a quicker pace, and reducing cravings.

Helps stop bleeding

Ash gourd helps control bleeding as it is a natural anticoagulant. Although it is not used to treat external bleeding (except when the leaves are rubbed and crushed on bruises), it works well in stopping internal bleeding. If it is taken regularly, it can help to stop bleeds that commonly occur in summer.

Along with that, conditions like bleeding through ulcers, haematuria(blood in urine), piles, and other such bleeds can be stopped by consuming ash gourd juice.

Sharpness of Mind

By just drinking a glass of ash gourd juice in the morning, you can see tremendous coolness in your body. It brings alertness to you at the same time. It enhances your intellectual capacity if you consume it daily. It works especially well for children, and within a week, you can notice wonders in your intellectual capacity.

As the intellect becomes very sharp, it all comes without any agitation in the system, which is an added advantage.

Improvement in digestion

Ash gourd’s high fiber and low calorie, and high water content can help improve digestion and promote a healthy body weight. For instance, research suggests that water-dense, low-calorie foods like ask gourd may help people lose weight. Ash gourd is also a good source of soluble fiber.

This fiber forms a gel-like substance in your gut, which will slow down your digestion. As it is low in carbs, it is suitable for people following low-carb diets. 

Benefits for hair and face

You wouldn’t expect it, but ash gourd has cosmetic uses as well. When you apply the juice onto the skin along with lemon juice or part of any other face pack, it brings a natural glow to the skin. It helps to remove any dark spots on the skin.

For hair, this vegetable is highly beneficial, and ash gourd is one of the lasting remedies for dandruff. You only have to apply the juice onto your hair before using shampoo to get rid of dandruff. 

Detoxifies the kidneys

One of the major Ash gourd benefits is that it stimulates the normal elimination of body wastes via the excretory system. It enhances the secretion of fluids with the kidneys, promptly getting rid of the accumulated toxins at the same time. It enhances the proper hydration of the internal organs.

The ash gourds support the routine task of the bladder and kidneys.

Alkalising and cooling in nature

This juice is very helpful in summer because it is one of the best options to cool your body in summer. It is also beneficial for people who have excess heat in their bodies because it will help to cool their systems. It is an alkaline food that prevents acidity and has a neutralizing effect on the stomach. 

Helps in fighting mental illness

Ash ground helps to deal with mental illness as it acts as a natural sedative. It has a calming effect on the brain and nervous systems, such as anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia, paranoia, and neurosis. A glass of juice a day can help to deal with all the stress that a day has to give and also keep yourself calm.

Helps in fighting the common cold and aids in treating respiratory disease

According to various research, the ash gourd comprises various phytochemicals like peptides and carotenoids. They serve as antibiotics and help in treating infections like pneumonia, flu, and the common cold. When it comes to respiratory diseases, it is beneficial in treating asthma, cough, and bronchitis.

It can readily loosen any excess mucus or phlegm and remove them from the respiratory tract. The ash gourd juice helps in loosening the mucus from the respiratory tract, and it provides relief from breathing issues.

Enhances digestive system and gut health

Ash gourd has a significant fiber content, which will help in preventing instances of constipation and bloating upon ingestion of a heavy meal.

Moreover, the laxative nature regulates bowel movements, and thereby it eases any discomfort experienced in the gut. As it is high in soluble fiber, it promotes the growth of good bacteria, and it alleviates indigestion, causing hemorrhoids, constipation, etc. It helps to keep your colon in a healthy position.

Fights jaundice and fevers

The leaves of ash gourd contain a substance known as cucurbitacins. It plays a crucial role in the liver functioning of the body and boosts the defense system. In addition, the vegetable also contains a remarkable amount of vitamin C, which adds to the antioxidant capacity of jaundice patients.

The plant compounds or phytonutrients in ash gourd have an inherent temperature-reducing potential. The ash gourd leaves, when rubbed on a person suffering from a high fever, reduce body temperature and provide immediate relief. Moreover, as the normal metabolism is affected during fevers, ash gourd leaves help to expel excess water and salts from the body. 

Finding and Choosing the right Ash Gourd

When selecting an ash gourd, you should choose a gourd with no indentations or bruised marks. The melon should feel heavy for its size and can be recognized as being approximately the same shape, size, and color as a watermelon. But it has a characteristic white, ash-coated surface.

The powder form is harmless to eat, but it will become sticky when it is wet. It should be rinsed from the surface before opening the melon. The interior should be with an even texture and a crisp white. You can keep the uncut ash gourd for a month or more in cool, dry storage.

Ways to eat ash gourd for health benefits

The vegetable is most often boiled, cubed, and eaten on its own or added to stews and soups. It can also be fried, baked, candied, or simply peeled and added to the salads. You can also eat it raw, similar to how you would eat a sliced cucumber.

It can likewise be used to make jam, candy, cakes, ketchup, ice cream, or petha. It is also a popular addition to smoothies and juice. Make sure you pick up a gourd that feels heavy for its size and is free of outside indentations and bruises. 

Bottom Line for health benefits of Ash Gourd

Ash gourd benefits are enormous as its nutritional values help to fight stomach ulcers, constipation, and digestion issues. For a healthy twist, add ash gourds to your recipes. Its neutral taste and low-calorie are bound to be beneficial.