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Ash gourd belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, also called the gourd family, and is native to the southern Asian region. Popularly known as winter melon, Chinese watermelon, or wax gourd, ash gourd is a fiber-rich vegetable known for its distinct nutrient benefits and a popular ingredient in many international cuisines.
Ash gourd is used for making soups, stews, curries, cakes, candies, Petha (an Indian sweet), and juice. It also has some remarkable therapeutic and medicinal properties. It is low in calories and is composed of 96% water. It is a wonderful source of flavonoids, vitamin C, and carotenoids, which aid in guarding the body against type 2 diabetes and cell damage.
Ash gourds have a white ash coating on them and a dusty cover which is why it is termed ‘Ash’ gourd. The unripe ash gourd vegetable is covered with fine hair. This hair falls later when the vegetable is ripe and ready to consume. Available in varied shapes and sizes, the flavor of ash gourd is slightly mellow. Ash gourd can easily be used as salads, juices, and smoothies to relish during a hot sunny day. If you consume it during winter, you can use honey or black pepper to enhance its taste.
As already discussed, winter melon is nutrient-rich, loaded with minerals and vitamins. Even the sodium and saturated fat content in winter melon is considerably low. The table below shows the nutrient content in 100g of winter melon:
|Vitamin C||13 mg|
|Vitamin B2||1.3 mg|
Winter melon can be included in your meal in different ways using ingredients that are highly seasoned to make the cuisine appetizing. Here are some ash gourd recipes that you can try:
How to make ash gourd juice:
Ash gourd juice benefits
There are many benefits of ash gourd juice on an empty stomach. As per Ayurveda, safed petha juice benefits many diseases if consumed regularly on an empty stomach. It is said to be helpful in peptic ulcers. However, one should avoid consuming food for at least two-three hours after having the juice.
Use ash gourd and watermelon to make a savoring smoothie.
How to prepare:
Combine watermelon and ash gourd (in a blender in equal portions). Add yogurt or plain water to it. Add honey as per taste and relish.
Side effects of Ash gourd/winter melon
To Sum Up
Ash gourds have been a significant part of the Indian diet since ancient times. It has several benefits and can be consumed in varied ways. If you have any allergies to winter melon, avoid consuming it. Others can include this valuable vegetable in their meals as salads, juices, stews, and many other ways. The best practice is to consume it in moderation to avoid side effects and enhance benefits.
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Ash gourd is a beneficial ingredient in traditional medicines. It aids in digestion, ulcers, and guards against infections, type 2 diabetes, and so on.
One side effect of drinking ash gourd juice is when a person is suffering from a cold or fever, as it can aggravate the condition. On the other hand, there are several benefits of drinking ash gourd juice on an empty stomach, as mentioned in the post above.
Yes, ash gourd juice is packed with vital nutrients, so drinking it every morning on an empty stomach is good for your health.
If the stem of a winter melon has an ashy appearance and it is brown, it is ripe.
Ash gourd is rich in fibre and low in calories. Consuming Ash gourd juice gives a feeling of fullness and thus reduces the appetite. Resulting in less consumption of calories leading to weight loss.
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