Is Ash Gourd Good for Diabetes Patients?

Overview

Ash gourd, also known as winter-melon, is a vegetable that is highly rich in carbohydrates, protein, moisture, and fibre. It is ideal for diabetic patients and people looking to control weight as ash gourd is low in calories.

Popularly called as Petha in Hindi and Kohala in Marathi, ash gourd is considered as an effective treatment against diabetes. The leaf, fruit, root, and juice of ash gourd is used in ayurvedic medicines for jaundice, fevers, bone disorders, and heart ailments.

Let’s dive deep into the potential uses of ash gourd for diabetes and the benefits of consuming it.

Nutritional Value – Ash Gourd Juice

The necessary nutrients of ash gourd fruit are flavonoids, proteins, vitamins, carotenes, volatile oils, minerals, etc. Ash gourd fruit is primarily composed of 96% water; the remaining nutrients are as follows:

Nutrient Components	Value/100 grams
Carbohydrate	3.96 g
Protein	12 g
Fibre	2.9 g
Zinc	0.6 mg
Calcium	30 mg
Iron	11.8 mg
Vitamins B1	0.04 mg
Vitamin B3	0.528 mg
Vitamin B2	0.145 mg
Vitamin C	17.2 mg
Vitamin B6	0.046 mg
Vitamin B5	0.176 mg

Properties of ash gourd juice

Do you know? Ash gourd is low in calories but rich in fibre. It contains a minimal amount of carbs and fat but is high in vitamins and micronutrients. It is rich in Roboflavin (which helps the body to synthesise macronutrients, proteins, carbs, fats) and Vitamin C (which helps to generate energy). 

It also contains carotenes and flavonoids, the powerful antioxidants that act as protection to the body from free radical damage.

Some of its properties include:

• Potential prebiotic – Produces good bacteria in the stomach
• Antacid – Helps acidity
• Detoxifacient – Removes toxins from the body
• Potential anti-inflammatory agent 
• Helps reduce fever 
• Anxiolytic effect – Relieves anxiety
• Anticonvulsant effect – Helps seizures
• Antioxidant 
• Helps to lower blood-glucose and blood-lipid 
• Potential antimicrobial and anti-parasitic agent 
• Acts as bronchodilator to make breathing easy

Glycemic Index (GI) of ash gourd

The glycemic index of ash gourd is very low as it has less in calories. In fact, ash gourd has zero glycemic index. 

The nutritional profile is very impressive, hence your body will not have any trouble consuming this vegetable. It is a scale that ranks foods according to how fast the blood sugar levels rise. A low glycemic index number indicates a less sugar spike, while a gradual rise in the number indicates a bigger sugar spike. 

The glycemic load, also referred to as the GL, is calculated by dividing the quantity of carbohydrates in one portion of food by 100.

How ash gourd helps diabetic patients?

Ash gourd is beneficial for diabetes patients. There is evidence suggesting that ash gourd and its seeds have numerous benefits for individuals with diabetes. Ash gourd can help lower sugar levels to some extent due to its natural hypoglycemic properties. 

Additionally, this vegetable has less calories and is a rich source of essential nutrients, thus becoming a healthy addition to a diabetes-friendly meal. The high fibre content in ash gourd can also slow down the absorption rate of sugar and carbohydrates in the bloodstream. 

Studies conducted on animals have shown the best results regarding the effects of ash gourd on diabetes, but further research is needed to determine its effects on humans. It is important to note that while ash gourd may provide some support for diabetes patients, it should not be used as a substitute for prescribed medication or medical advice.

Ash gourd juice is low in carbohydrates and calories with zero fat content. It is a significant choice for diabetic patients due to high nutrient profile. The pulp of the fruit might have anti-diabetic properties contributed by various nutrients. When mixed with honey, the dried powder of the peel of the fruit may help lower blood sugar levels.  

Benefits of Ash Gourd for Diabetes

Ash gourd has different reliever properties and is a suitable edible item for diabetic and obese people. Its cooling effect works as a laxative and makes it as the most commonly used herbal remedy for several problems. 

Ash gourd flushes out toxins from the body and increases the urine output. Here are some of the benefits if eating ash gourd for diabetes.

1. Rich in Fibre

Ash gourds are low-calorie fruits and a decent source of water, dietary fibre, and other nutrients. It is used to treat and prevent various ailments.

Fibre helps in the relaxation of sugars and carbohydrates absorption rate in the bloodstream. Its has a spillover effect that results in the stabilization of blood sugar and improvement of insulin sensitivity.

2. Helps in Hydration

Ash gourd has a good amount of water content, that provides adequate hydration to the body. It is highly essential to stay well-hydrated for people with diabetes, as it helps to support overall health and maintain kidney function.

3. Reduce Inflammation

Animal and test tube studies note that ash gourd extracts reduce inflammation, which is believed to be the root cause of several chronic diseases.

4. Protects Kidney

Ash gourd promotes kidney function for people with diabetes by reducing toxicity caused by medications. It lowers urinary glucose and potassium levels, body weight, and blood urea and creatinine levels due to its high water content. 

5. Protects from High Thyroid Hormone Levels

The thyroid gland holds significant importance as it produces two crucial hormones called T3 and T4. These hormones have a profound impact on the entire body at a cellular level, governing various functions. They play a role in regulating the rate at which calories are burned, influencing the heart rate to either slow down or speed up, maintaining body temperature, and controlling muscular contraction. 

However, it is important to note that an excessive concentration of thyroid hormones can pose a risk to health. Fortunately, Ash Gourd, with its high iodine content, acts as a preventive measure by reducing elevated levels of thyroid hormones for diabetic patients. Additionally, Ash gourd contains Zinc, which aids in optimizing thyroid concentration by regulating enzyme function.

6. Brings Relief from Joint Pains

Ash gourd contains different anti-inflammatory vitamins and nutrients, which includes magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous. It helps diabetic patients to ensure good bone health, reduces the risk of bone and joint problems such as osteoporosis and arthritis, and minimises muscle pain. It also aids in the healing of fractures, gout, and help regain flexible movement in muscles and joints.

7. Enhances Immunity and Heart Functions

Consuming ash gourd for diabetes has a robust positive effect on the immune system as it is rich in anti-inflammatory flavonoids, nutrients, vitamin and trace mineral content, and carotenes.

The juice of the ash gourd provides vital nutrients and enhances blood circulation required for a healthy heart. It improve cardiac ailments for diabetic patients such as arrhythmia, palpitations, high blood pressure, angina, and coronary heart disease.

8. Strengthens Digestive System

The high water and fibre content in ash gourd aids in relieveing constipation for diabetic patients. It reduces bloating and cramping of the stomach and enhances the functioning of the excretory system. The laxative effect of ash gourd regulates bowel movement.

9. Treats Jaundice

Ash gourds contain cucurbitacins, which boost immunity and help liver functions. The Vitamin C found in the leaves of ash gourd boost your immune system. An Ayurvedic remedy of crushing the leaves along with coriander seeds and consuming it twice every day is said to help treat jaundice.

Ash Gourd Recipes for Diabetes Patients

Ash gourd for diabetes patients is a delicious and versatile addition to the diet when prepared using thriving and healthy cooking methods. Here are some tasty recipes with ash gourd that are suitable for individuals with diabetes:

Ash Gourd Sabzi

Chop the ash gourd into small cubes. Saute some onions in olive oil. Add spices and ash gourd to the oil and cook covered on low heat until the ash gourd becomes tender. Garnish with some coriander leaves and you can combine it with brown rice or roti. This is a popular ash gourd recipe in Indian households.

Ash Gourd Soup

Heat olive oil and saute with onions and garlic until cooked properly. Then, put in the chopped ash gourd cubes, a pinch of black pepper, and the vegetable broth. Simmer until the ash gourd becomes tender and soft. Mix it till it becomes smooth. Season it with flavoured salt and pepper. Serve it in a red-hot state with fresh parsley as a topping.

Some other recipes include ash gourd powder, ash gourd juice, ash gourd raita, and much more.

Side effects of ash gourd for diabetes patients

As with any natural remedy or food, there will be varying individual responses, and it is highly essential to be aware of the potential interactions or side effects. Here are some considerations to be taken for ash gourd:

• If you’re prescribed for medications to lower blood sugar, consuming large amounts of ash gourd is not advisable.
• You may encounter digestive difficulties if you consume large amounts of ash gourd.
• Allergy can be a side effect of ash gourd, but not common.

Conclusion

Ash gourd has a considerable nutritional profile that can be a possible addition to the diet of diabetes patients. However, it is crucial for people with diabetes to consult their doctors and healthcare providers before incorporating ash gourd into their diets.

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