There are a few veggies that have always been in the popular list, whereas a few that are usually sidelined because of their taste or appearance. One such veggie is Bitter Gourd that is neither appealing nor tasty but nutritionally is as competent as or better than many other veggies.

Bitter Gourd / bitter melon; bitter apple; bitter squash; balsam-pear as the common prefix suggests is bitter to taste, native to India, China and commonly used in South East Asian cuisines.

Bitter Gourd packs a cracker of nutrients with 95% moisture, high fibre, potassium, vitamin C, A, folate, antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin and considerable amounts of B- complex vitamins, all this with a very low-calorie count. The exclusive component, however, is ‘Polypeptide P’ which is ‘plant insulin’ that has provided path-breaking success in the treatment of Diabetes.

Health Benefits:

• The no. 1 health benefit is that it reduces blood sugar levels, thus its role in the treatment of Diabetes.
• The antioxidant properties help in reducing cell damage, provide anti-aging benefits, protect from heart diseases, build immunity and improve skin health.
• It helps to control blood pressure, relieves constipation and aids weight loss.

It is best to use Bitter Gourd in its peeled and deseeded form. It can be marinated with Indian spices to make a veggie, stir-fried, used in detox juices, soups and makes for an excellent side dish with the main course.

So here is a Super Veggie worth all its Bitterness!