<p>Karela or bitter gourd has many health benefits. It is known to lower blood glucose among people with Type II diabetics. </p>.<p>Used to treat diabetes in traditional Indian medicine for years, it is now commercially available as tea, juice, extracts and pills. Bitter gourd contains insulin-like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, all of which act together to lower blood sugar levels without increasing blood insulin. <br /><br />Sonia Bajaj, a nutritionist, says: “It is a great blood purifier. It is good for the stomach. It contains cellulose which is a very good source of fibre that prevents constipation. It is a good digestive agent and helps in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices.”<br /><br />It is also said to be good for the eyes and the liver. “Bitter gourd has beta-carotene that helps to alleviate eye problems and improve eyesight. It also helps to purify, restore and nourish the liver,” says Bajaj.<br /><br />Many skin diseases and infections are treated with bitter gourd juice. Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice helps in keeping one’s skin free from blemishes and acne. It is also used to treat anaemia.<br /><br />Those recovering from malaria are often given an extract of boiled bitter gourd juice to which a clove of garlic and a pinch of salt have been added.<br /><br />Even in everyday cooking, ‘karela’ is a great vegetable! Don’t believe us? Wash and chop it. Soak it overnight in salt water to take away the bitter taste. And make a tasty dish with sliced onions and chopped tomatoes. Bon <br />appétit!<br /></p>
<p>Karela or bitter gourd has many health benefits. It is known to lower blood glucose among people with Type II diabetics. </p>.<p>Used to treat diabetes in traditional Indian medicine for years, it is now commercially available as tea, juice, extracts and pills. Bitter gourd contains insulin-like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, all of which act together to lower blood sugar levels without increasing blood insulin. <br /><br />Sonia Bajaj, a nutritionist, says: “It is a great blood purifier. It is good for the stomach. It contains cellulose which is a very good source of fibre that prevents constipation. It is a good digestive agent and helps in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices.”<br /><br />It is also said to be good for the eyes and the liver. “Bitter gourd has beta-carotene that helps to alleviate eye problems and improve eyesight. It also helps to purify, restore and nourish the liver,” says Bajaj.<br /><br />Many skin diseases and infections are treated with bitter gourd juice. Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice helps in keeping one’s skin free from blemishes and acne. It is also used to treat anaemia.<br /><br />Those recovering from malaria are often given an extract of boiled bitter gourd juice to which a clove of garlic and a pinch of salt have been added.<br /><br />Even in everyday cooking, ‘karela’ is a great vegetable! Don’t believe us? Wash and chop it. Soak it overnight in salt water to take away the bitter taste. And make a tasty dish with sliced onions and chopped tomatoes. Bon <br />appétit!<br /></p>
