Bitter Gourd

What is Bitter Gourd / Bitter Melon?

Bitter Gourd also called as bitter melon. Bitter Melon, also known as Momordica charantia or Karela is is a tropical and sub-tropical vine of the Cucurbitaceae family and is the most bitter of all fruits. The fruit is most often eaten when green and the skin is tender and edible. The plant contains several biologically active compounds, including charantin and momordicin, which help support healthy blood sugar levels when taken as a dietary supplement in conjunction with a sensible diet and fitness program.Bitter melon comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The China phenotype is 20–30 cm long, oblong with bluntly tapering ends and pale green in color, with a gently undulating, warty surface. The bitter melon more typical of India has a narrower shape with pointed ends, and a surface covered with jagged, triangular "teeth" and ridges. It is green to white in color. Between these two extremes are any number of intermediate forms. Some bear miniature fruit of only 6–10 cm in length, which may be served individually as stuffed vegetables. These miniature fruit are popular in India and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

 

I love all types!

Health Benefits

• Blood disorders:  Bitter gourd juice is highly beneficial for treating blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to toxemia.  Mix 2 ounces of fresh bitter gourd juice with some lime juice.  Sip it slowly on an empty stomach daily for between four and six months and see improvement in your condition.
• Cholera:  In early stages of cholera, take two teaspoonfuls juice of bitter gourd leaves, mix with two teaspoonfuls white onion juice and one teaspoonful lime juice.  Sip this concoction daily till you get well.
• Diabetes mellitus:  Bitter melon contains a hypoglycemic compound (a plant insulin) that is highly beneficial in lowering sugar levels in blood and urine.  Bitter melon juice has been shown to significantly improve glucose tolerance without increasing blood insulin levels.
• Energy:  Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice has been proven to improve energy and stamina level.  Even sleeping patterns have been shown to be improved/stabilized.
• Eye problems:  The high beta-carotene and other properties in bitter gourd makes it one of the finest vegetable-fruit that help alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight.
• Hangover:  Bitter melon juice may be beneficial in the treatment of a hangover for its alcohol intoxication properties.  It also help cleanse and repair and nourish liver problems due to alcohol consumption.
• Immune booster:  This bitter juice can also help to build your immune system and increase your body's resistance against infection.
• Piles:  Mix three teaspoonfuls of juice from bitter melon leaves with a glassful of buttermilk. Take this every morning on empty stomach for about a month and see an improvement to your condition.  To hasten the healing, use the paste of the roots of bitter melon plant and apply over the piles.
• Psoriasis:  Regular consumption of this bitter juice has also been known to improve psoriasis condition and other fungal infections like ring-worm and athletes feet.
• Respiratory disorders:  Take two ounces of fresh bitter melon juice and mix with a cup of honey diluted in water.  Drink daily to improve asthma, bronchitis and pharyngitis.
• Toxemia:  Bitter gourd contains beneficial properties that cleanses the blood from toxins.  Sip two teaspoonfuls of the juice daily to help cleanse the liver.  Also helpful in ridding jaundice for the same reasons.

Medical disclaimer:

• The information and reference guides in this website are intended solely for the general information for the reader. It is not to be used to diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications. 

Names In Other Languages for  Bitter Gourd / Bitter Melon(Arabic, Assamese, Bengali,Chinese, French, German, Gujarati,Hindi, Kannada, Malay, Malayalam, Oriya, Sinhala, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu):

Nutritional value

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Amounts per 1 cup (1/2" pieces) (93g)

Calorie Information Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calories 15.8 (66.2 kJ) 1%   From Carbohydrate 12.2 (51.1 kJ)   From Fat 1.3 (5.4 kJ)   From Protein 2.3 (9.6 kJ)   From Alcohol ~ (0.0 kJ) Carbohydrates Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Carbohydrate 3.4 g 1% Dietary Fiber 2.6 g 10% Starch ~ Sugars ~ Fats & Fatty Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Fat 0.2 g 0% Saturated Fat ~ ~ Monounsaturated Fat ~ Polyunsaturated Fat ~ Total trans fatty acids ~ Total trans-monoenoic fatty acids ~ Total trans-polyenoic fatty acids ~ Total Omega-3 fatty acids ~ Total Omega-6 fatty acids ~ Learn more about these fatty acids and their equivalent names

Protein & Amino Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Protein 0.9 g 2% Vitamins Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Vitamin A 438 IU 9% Vitamin C 78.1 mg 130% Vitamin D ~ ~ Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) ~ ~ Vitamin K ~ ~ Thiamin 0.0 mg 2% Riboflavin 0.0 mg 2% Niacin 0.4 mg 2% Vitamin B6 0.0 mg 2% Folate 67.0 mcg 17% Vitamin B12 0.0 mcg 0% Pantothenic Acid 0.2 mg 2% Choline ~ Betaine ~ Minerals Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calcium 17.7 mg 2% Iron 0.4 mg 2% Magnesium 15.8 mg 4% Phosphorus 28.8 mg 3% Potassium 275 mg 8% Sodium 4.7 mg 0% Zinc 0.7 mg 5% Copper 0.0 mg 2% Manganese 0.1 mg 4% Selenium 0.2 mcg 0% Fluoride ~ Sterols Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0% Phytosterols ~ Other Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Alcohol 0.0 g Water 87.4 g Ash 1.0 g Caffeine ~ Theobromine ~

Footnotes for Balsam-pear (bitter gourd), pods, raw

Source: Nutrient data for this listing was provided by USDA SR-21. Each "~" indicates a missing or incomplete value.

Percent Daily Values (%DV) are for adults or children aged 4 or older, and are based on a 2,000 calorie reference diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower based on your individual needs.

Nutrition Data's Opinion, Completeness Score™, Fullness Factor™, Rating, Estimated Glycemic Load (eGL), and Better Choices Substitutions™ are editorial opinions of NutritionData.com, given without warranty, and are not intended to replace the advice of a nutritionist or health-care professional. Nutrition Data's opinions and ratings are based on weighted averages of the nutrient densities of those nutrients for which the FDA has established Daily Values, and do not consider other nutrients that may be important to your health or take into account your individual needs. Consequently, Nutrition Data's higher-rated foods may not necessarily be healthier for you than lower-rated ones. All foods, regardless of their rating, have the potential to play an important role in your diet.

IF Rating™ is a trademark of Monica Reinagel. Data for the IF Rating was provided by inflammationfactor.com.

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2319/2#ixzz27xgoxUgo

Substitute for Bitter Gourd / Bitter Melon

N/A

Where it can be used

Cooking Gravy, chips, juices, vegetables

How to Store

Select firm, unblemished melons / bitter gourd. Choose  that are still green for a bitterer flavor and a yellow-orange melon for a milder taste. Bitter melons can also be purchased canned or dried.

Store melon loose in a paper or plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Slice the melon immediately before use. When it is red don't use it for cooking

Recipe Using  Bitter Gourd / Bitter Melon (Here I list only main dishes.. but   Bitter Gourd / Bitter Melon can be used in lot of dishes for decoration or just to add little flavour)

https://kitchensrecipe.com/?s=bittergourd