Who knows that being bitter can make you better? That’s the beauty of Bitter Gourd!

We're sure that every home in Asia has tried cooking this vegetable. Remember the bitter vegetable your mom or dad has served you during weekends? That is Bitter Gourd.

The bitter gourd is also known as bitter melon, squash, cucumber, apple, and balsam pear, among other names. Bitter melon is a tropical vine from the gourd family and is closely related to zucchini, squash, pumpkin, and cucumber. It is also known as Momordica charantia. Other names for this plant are bitter gourd and bitter melon. The plant is grown all over the globe for its fruit, which may be eaten and is an essential ingredient in a wide variety of Asian dishes.

There are several distinct cultivars available for the purchase of this vegetable. The Chinese variety is characterized by its length, light green color, and wart-like bumps all over its surface. On the other hand, the Indian version is more slender, its ends are pointy, and the rind is covered in rough, jagged spikes. Bitter melon is known for its strong taste and striking look, and recent research has linked it to several beneficial effects on one's health.

Rich in dietary constituents

The bitter gourd is an excellent source of several different vitamins and minerals. It is rich in essential nutrients such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A and C. It has two times as much calcium as spinach and twice as much beta-carotene as broccoli. Bitter gourd has various chemicals that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Additionally, it assists in decreasing levels of bad cholesterol, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. That's not the end of it. It enhances the respiratory system's health, stimulates the skin's health, and has qualities that prevent aging.

Fantastic for those with diabetes

Bitter gourd has been shown to have anti-diabetic qualities due to the presence of polypeptide and an insulin-like molecule called charantin. These components contribute, on their own, to a decrease in blood sugar. Controlling the metabolism and how the body uses the sugar it has ingested also helps minimize unexpected spikes. It decreases insulin levels that might occur otherwise. The bitter gourd has been shown to have hypoglycemic effects. It has a high concentration of soluble fiber and a low glycemic index, contributing to a reduced blood sugar level in the body.

Aids digestion

It is an outstanding contributor of fiber to one's diet. Bitter gourd, when consumed regularly, may help relieve digestive issues such as indigestion and constipation. It promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the stomach, which aids digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

It helps one lose more weight.

The bitter gourd has a low-calorie count and is also low in fat and carbs. The combination of these qualities contributes to more effective weight control. It helps you feel full for longer, which prevents you from eating more than you need to. It does this by encouraging the liver to produce bile acids necessary for metabolizing fat in the body. In addition, bitter gourd is between 80 and 85 percent water, which is known to be an effective appetite suppressor. In addition to that, it speeds up the metabolism.

It could inhibit the growth of cancerous cells.

According to specific research, bitter melon has particular chemicals that have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

For instance, earlier test-tube research showed that extract from bitter melon efficiently destroyed cancer cells originating from the stomach, colon, lung, and nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is found at the back of the neck, just behind the nose. Remember that these tests were conducted on individual cells in a laboratory using concentrated doses of the bitter melon extract.

Increases the consumption of fiber

Because it is low in calories but rich in fiber, in every 100 grams of this product, there are roughly 2 grams of fiber included.

Fiber moves through your digestive tract at a relatively slow pace, which helps you feel fuller for longer while lowering your appetite and feelings of hunger. Bitter melon also contains laxative characteristics, which, if you are having trouble digesting due to constipation, may aid in supporting your digestion. Therefore, replacing items that are higher in calories with bitter melon might help you improve the amount of fiber you consume while reducing the number of calories you consume, which could encourage weight reduction.

This additional piece of advice will show you how to reduce the bitterness of this vegetable.

Use salt. 

This is the traditional approach to getting rid of the bitter taste of the ampalaya. 

Before cutting the ampalaya into half moons, brush one teaspoon of salt down the interior of the ampalaya where the seeds were scraped from. This step comes before cutting the ampalaya. After finishing both parts, put them to the side for at least five minutes. When you inspect the ampalaya after this time, you will observe that the salted grooves have formed some moisture. The gourd's astringent sap, water, has been extracted from the salt. 

Remove any traces of salt that may still be there and any ampalaya sap that may be present from these grooves after drying it off, slicing it, and then using it as recommended in the recipe. 

Soak it with salty water. 

Soaking the ampalaya in salted water is an additional method that may be used to get rid of the herb's characteristic bitter flavor. Ampalaya should be prepared up to the point when it is sliced into half moons. The next step is to put the ampalaya in a big bowl partially filled with water, then season the water with a generous amount of salt. After giving the slices of ampalaya a little squeeze, leave the dish aside for anything from five minutes to a full day. 

Rinse it. 

Even though soaking the ampalaya in water for five minutes is minimal, there is a faster method that may still result in a less bitter ampalaya when used in your recipe. After slicing the tomato into half moons, transfer them to a basin and thoroughly wash them with water. Quick, easy, and not wholly ineffective while being quite essential. After drying, you may use it as you see fit in the recipe. 

Disclaimer: Please note that the material presented in this article is intended only to provide general information. The material in this article was gathered from various sources; nevertheless, we do not claim ownership of any rights associated with the contents and information presented on the site. The original owner retains ownership of any rights.

Sources:

1. 6 Benefits of Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd) and Its Extract (healthline.com)
2. Health benefits of bitter gourd, 5 reasons why it must be in your diet | Health - Hindustan Times
3. 6 Benefits of Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd) and Its Extract (healthline.com)
4. Here Are 3 Easy Ways to Remove The Bitterness From Ampalaya (yummy.ph)