Overview
The ash gourd plant is a vine that grows annually. Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) is its scientific name, and a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Its distinctive melon-like fruit is frequently consumed for its therapeutic and practical qualities. The ash gourd plant is grown in Southeast Asian countries such as India, Japan, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan, where it thrives in warm, humid tropical climates.
Since this fruit is typically grown during the rainy season, it is also called winter melon. In the past, ayurvedic methods were used to prepare this fruit for use in medical systems; the preparation was known as kushmanda (Sanskrit) because it was believed to have various medicinal benefits.
This fruit is used to make the trendy dessert Agra Ka Petha, which is prepared by soaking the ripe gourd fruit in sugar syrup.
Because the ash gourd fruit has so much nutritional richness, it is perfect medically, and the juice has many Ayurvedic applications. Most essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, volatile oils, carotenoids, proteins, flavonoids, etc., are packed with nutrition in this fruit's juice. Water accounts for roughly 96% of the fruit's composition.
Ash gourd juice's nutritional value
According to studies, total soluble solids make up around 96% of the edible fraction of ash gourd juice, which includes the pulp and peel. Ash gourd has 12 g protein, 2.9 g fibre, 3.96 g carbs, 11.8 mg iron, 30 mg calcium, and 0.6 mg zinc per 100 g. Juice from ash gourds has no fat in it.
In addition, juice from ash gourds contains 1.67% flavonoids, 4.60% alcohol, and 12.60% antioxidants. Ash gourd, 100 g, is also a great source of vitamins. Vitamin B1 (0.04 mg), B2 (0.14), B3 (0.5 mg), B5 (0.17), and C (17.2 mg) are present in it.
Amazing benefits of Ash gourd juice
Treats ulcers: Ash gourd juice has been shown to have a tremendous healing effect on those who suffer from peptic ulcers; this is one of the many health benefits it offers humans. It is best consumed on an empty stomach (as it can effectively treat peptic ulcers in these circumstances), and you should refrain from eating anything for almost three hours. When Ayurvedic medicine was more popular, ash gourd juice was considered an effective remedy for peptic ulcers.
Helps treat liver illnesses: Studies show that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities of ash gourd aid in the body's elimination of fat and bile, which in turn helps treat liver disorders.
The effects of ash gourd juice on the skin: The juice made from the vegetable has some benefits for the skin, and the extract that is left over after the juice is extracted can be used as a cream to help prevent the ageing process of the skin's cells.
The fruit's pulp, seeds, and peel can be used to generate a variety of chemicals that have been proven to have antioxidant qualities or actions that are known to combat free radicals, which cause the skin to age prematurely. It also controls the effect of the skin cells' deterioration so that you might notice a notable reduction in oxidative damage.
Helps in the treatment of nerve diseases: Ash gourd juice contains several bioactive and therapeutic components, including phenolics, sterols, and glycosides, which are helpful in the treatment of epilepsy and other nervous disorders.
Aids in reducing weight: We all know that the juice made from the ash gourd fruit has very few calories and fats, which will benefit people looking to lose weight. However, other properties of ash gourd juice will help you lose weight quickly or manage your weight loss process.
Because of its high dietary fibre content and lipid-lowering qualities, the ash gourd fruit can help lower blood cholesterol and lipid levels, reducing body fat. This can be remedied by consuming raw ash gourd fruit or seed that has been pulverised and skinned with an equal amount of water and salt.
Relaxes muscles: Muscle relaxant and antioxidant qualities found in ash gourd fruit pulp soothe tense muscles. Consequently, ash gourd juice is a valuable remedy for anxiety and insomnia.
Aids in preventing pneumonia and the common cold: Research indicates that the ash gourd contains a variety of phytochemicals, including peptides and carotenoids. They act as antibiotics and aid in treating illnesses such as pneumonia, the flu, and the common cold.
Aids in kidney detoxification: The detoxifying qualities of ash gourd juice are helpful in the treatment of urinary tract infections as well as kidney detoxification. Ash gourds have been shown in a study on albino rats to mitigate renal impairment or damage. It also aids in preventing kidney stones.
Encourages heart health: Ash gourd juice's high fibre content lowers the body's harmful cholesterol level and guards against cardiovascular illnesses.
Promotes haemorrhage treatment and wound healing: Ash gourd juice also has the added health advantage of aiding in wound healing and treating internal bleeding. Studies show that the juice from ash gourd leaves helps to soothe injuries.
Use in the treatment of diabetes: The juice made from ash gourd fruit is highly beneficial to people with diabetes due to its high nutritional content, low calorie and carbohydrate content, and complete absence of fat. There are anti-diabetic characteristics to the several nutrients found in the fruit pulp. It has been discovered that combining honey and dried fruit peel powder can significantly lower blood sugar levels.
How to use Ash gourd juice
Juice from ash gourds has essential elements necessary for overall health maintenance. It is applicable in the following manners:
- The fruit of the ash gourd can be prepared with meat or eaten raw, much like cucumbers.
- Cakes, ice cream, jams, ketchup, and drinks can all be made using it.
- The young fruit that has been peeled can be utilised to make spiced dishes by steaming, braising, or stir-frying it.
- Additionally, ash gourd fruit makes petha, a delicious confection, and bari, or nuggets.
- The fruit pulp is used to make chutney and herbal gruel.
- Stems from ash gourds are deep-fried and eaten like papad or chips. See a certified physician before taking ash gourd fruit or juice is best.
Ash gourd juice recipe
Here's a quick and easy recipe for ash gourd juice:
Cleaning the ash gourd is the first step. Take out the seeds and cut open the ash gourd to reveal the soft interior. Chop the ash gourd into ½-inch pieces after removing the peel.
Diced ash gourd and water should be blended until smooth.
Pour the juice through the fine-mesh strainer into a large basin, pressing the pulp firmly with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
To taste, add pepper, salt, and lime juice.
Mix thoroughly and serve right away.
Winter melon juice loses its nutritional value if not consumed within 15 minutes of preparation. You can also drink the ash gourd juice without any salt, pepper, or lime juice if you'd like. Add mint and ginger to the blender to mix things up.
Side Effects of Ash Gourd Juice
The ash gourd has many health benefits for the body, but it may only be suitable for some. Anti-nutrient components found in ash gourd juice, such as phytate, tannin, and oxalates, hinder the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients like calcium. Ash gourds also provide a cooling impact on the body. Ash gourd juice should, therefore, be avoided if you have a high fever or your body temperature varies significantly.
Precautions to take with Ash gourd juice
If used in small amounts, ash gourd is thought to be safe. However, when consuming ash gourd juice, safety measures must be taken. As a result, those who have kidney issues ought to drink less ash gourd juice.
Insufficient data is available to determine whether ash gourd juice is safe for use by pregnant or nursing mothers.
Therefore, you must consult an Ayurvedic doctor before taking it as a herb. Giving ash gourd juice to tiny children or older adults requires extra caution. We suggest you speak with an Ayurvedic doctor who can offer a safer dose for you.
Summary
If you drink the juice, ash gourd fruit has been shown to offer numerous health advantages and can help prevent various diseases or ailments. Because it enables you to monitor and lose weight, you won't experience any medical issues.
You should speak with your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of this fruit for humans before consuming it in any form.
