Pointed gourd is related to the likes of squash and cucumber. Although native to India, it can also be found in many other parts of Asia. It bears fruits that are eaten as vegetables.
The fruits are the only ones that are consumed. They possess a bland taste which gets blander as the fruit matures further. Cheap and versatile, pointed gourd is commonly added to other vegetables or combined with meat. In India, it’s not uncommon for it to be turned into sauces as well as desserts or snacks.
Also called parwal, wild snake gourd and green potato, it’s a wonderful idea for pointed gourd to be included in the diet on a regular basis. Here are some of the health perks it offers:
Increased Immunity
Healers of Ayurveda, a traditional form of medicine established in India thousands of years ago, recommend pointed gourd to individuals who are very prone to having various types of infections like the common cold and flu because it is very good at strengthening the immune system.
Pointed gourd is also employed for treating those who are already suffering from upper respiratory tract infections. It’s commonly utilized for lowering fever, too.
Enhanced Digestion
Because it packs plenty of fiber, pointed gourd can help in improving the process of digestion. When eaten, it encourages the production of more digestive juices and enzymes to facilitate the breakdown of foods, thus allowing for better absorption of the nutrients they offer.
Here’s another reason why pointed gourd is good for the digestive system: it promotes the multiplication of friendly bacteria residing in the gut, which are known to offer tons of health benefits.
Improved Eye Health
Pointed gourd contains good amounts of vitamin A, and it’s for this reason why its regular consumption is good for maintaining eye health. Vitamin A is actually an antioxidant that helps keep at bay eye problems that can lead to vision loss, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Vitamin A in pointed gourd, according to eye specialists, also helps you see so much better because it enhances your perception of colors, and is also known to boost your eyesight at night.
Reduced Weight
The regular inclusion of pointed gourd in the diet is highly beneficial for people who want to get rid of unwanted pounds. Attaining a slimmer figure is made possible by this healthy treat in a couple of ways. First, it is very heavy on the stomach, and this makes food cravings and hunger pangs go away.
Second, pointed gourd is very low in fat and calories, and that’s why eating it can make you feel really satiated and energized without wrecking your figure.
Delayed Aging
A couple of reasons exist why pointed gourd is capable of slowing down the process of aging. First, it supplies the body with good amounts of vitamin C. An antioxidant, vitamin C fights off excess free radicals that damage cells. Second, Vitamin C helps keep the skin looking young as it promotes collagen synthesis.
Pointed gourd also helps flush out waste products and poisonous substances in the body. With those toxins removed, the process of aging can be slowed down effectively.
