Let us know today about Ash gourd benefits. White gourd is a type of white vegetable fruit also known as winter melon, wax gourd or Chinese melon. This fruit is used in many different dishes in India and abroad.
Many delicious foods and sweets can be prepared from it. You must have heard the name of Petha, if you have passed through Agra then you must have eaten Petha. Petha is made from this Ash gourd benefits.
Coming from the Cucurbitaceae family, this vegetable fruit is native to the Southern Asian region. In our country it is called Kumhra, Kadima and white pumpkin. At the same time, in English it is known as ash gourd, wax gourd or winter melon.
Nutrition-rich white pumpkin contains iron, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, copper, manganese, niacin (vitamin B3), thiamin, vitamin C, riboflavin and fiber.
Benefits and disadvantages of Ash gourd benefits
Benefits of winter melon i.e. white gourd is more popular due to the specific nutrients present in it.
The amount of fiber in this vegetable is very high. In which water content is up to 95%. It is a food with low calories, fat and carbohydrates.
White gourd is rich in vitamin C, flavonoids and carotenoids. Which keeps the body healthy and prevents cell damage from occurring in the body. Its consumption can also prove helpful for type 2 diabetes patients.
White bottle gourd is found in every Indian household as a nutritious vegetable. Apart from this, it is also used in making petha and candy as well as many traditional Indian dishes like buckwheat, curry, vegetables and dal.
The juice, seeds and leaves of white gourd also have medicinal and therapeutic properties. Its use also has a comprehensive effect on the skin and hair of our body, keeping it healthy.
about white pumpkin
It looks just like a normal gourd. But there are fine hair-like fibers on top of it, which disappear when the gourd is ripe. When ripe its peel changes from dark green to light brown.
When the bottle gourd is ripe, it gets a unique coating like lime powder. Due to which it becomes white in appearance. Another common name for this gourd, “ash gourd” is due to its dusty white covering.
Nutritional properties of white pumpkin
White gourd, also known as winter melon, is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Apart from this, micronutrients like sodium and saturated fat are also present in it.
If we discuss the nutrients of white pumpkin, then it contains many important nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Folate, Niacin and Thiamine.
The following nutrients are present in one kilogram of white gourd.
- Water – 960.1 grams
- Energy – 130 kcal
- Carbohydrate – 30 grams
- Protein – 0.40 grams
- Fiber – 29.0 grams
- Calcium – 190 mg
- Vitamin C – 130 mg
- Magnesium – 100 mg
- Vitamin B2 – 10.3 mg.
Let us know about more than 10 benefits of winter melon.
Helpful in controlling weight
Since white gourd has less calories and more water content. As a result, it can be a very good option for people suffering from obesity and wanting to lose weight.
Because it is helpful in reducing appetite and reducing the addiction of eating junk food in large quantities. Which reduces overeating which is one of the many factors of obesity. Which can help in controlling weight.
Beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients
White gourd is a low sugar vegetable which is considered beneficial for people with diabetes. Very good for patients who want to reduce their sugar levels.
According to a study, its consumption can help in reducing blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Since these vegetables contain plenty of fiber, carotene (pro-vitamin A), potassium and vitamin C. As a result, its continuous consumption can be helpful in controlling sugar level in type 2 diabetes patients.
Helpful in strengthening the immune system
Since safed gourd is rich in antioxidant properties and vitamin C. As a result, due to its presence in white gourd, it is helpful in the rapid formation of white blood cells.
Apart from this, another important element zinc is present in it. As a result, its consumption works to boost immunity.
White gourd helps in increasing energy
Vitamin B2 is present in abundance in it. B2 is very essential for the body’s metabolism. Because it ensures the conversion of the food we consume into energy.
If seen in this way, consumption of white gourd can directly affect people’s health and hormones by providing ample energy.
White gourd beneficial for heart
The amount of cholesterol in bottle gourd is very negligible. Because an element called phytosterol is present in sufficient quantity in white pumpkin. Which is beneficial in reducing bad cholesterol level in our body.
As a result, including this vegetable in your diet regularly can be beneficial for the heart. Consumption of bottle gourd can be important in reducing heart related diseases and keeping it healthy.
For this, consuming boiled bottle gourd can be the best way. Due to the many beneficial properties present in it, consumption of bottle gourd can help in reducing the cholesterol level in the body and reduce the risk of many serious diseases like heart attack, cancer.
Safed gourd helpful in ulcer
Its use can be beneficial for ulcer patients. It is especially helpful in relieving peptic ulcer due to which the stomach or intestinal tissue gets damaged.
The antioxidant properties present in it are effective in preventing peptic ulcers by protecting against free radicals. Apart from this, it helps in reducing the acidity of the stomach.
Helpful in detoxifying the kidneys
Since white gourd is full of water and has a cooling effect. As a result, its consumption helps in keeping the hot body cool and also corrects and balances the internal organs of liver and kidney. Its regular consumption also helps in curing problems like constipation, urinary tract infection, kidney stones etc.
eye protection aid
White pumpkin may help reduce retinal oxidative stress due to its antioxidant properties. According to a study, the amount of Vitamin C in the eye lens may also decrease with increasing age.
As a result, eyesight may be affected. As a result, daily consumption of fresh white melon can protect against many diseases by increasing the level of Vitamin C in the lens of the eyes.
Apart from this, white gourd contains an element called riboflavin which is also known as vitamin B2. Vitamin B2 plays an important role in preventing vision problems and preventing night blindness.
On the other hand, white pumpkin also contains significant amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin is considered to play an important role in protecting the eyes from the harmful rays of the sun and preventing cataracts.
As a result, including it in your diet can be beneficial in reducing the risk of eye diseases.
Controls getting into depression
Due to lack of tryptophan in the body, a person becomes a victim of depression. It is said that white pumpkin is rich in an amino acid called L-tryptophan.
According to a study, the body cannot manufacture this amino acid itself. As a result, eating white pumpkin does not cause deficiency of these nutrients in the body which can help people in reducing depressed mood and remain happy.
Apart from this, if we talk about some other benefits of eating white pumpkin, it is beneficial in urinary infections, improves memory and is useful for skin and hair.
Disadvantages of White Pumpkin
Although we have learned about many benefits related to the consumption of white pumpkin, it is also important to be aware of some possible disadvantages of its consumption so that it can be fully benefited. So let us know some disadvantages of eating white pumpkin.
allergy problem
Its consumption can also be harmful for some people. For those suffering from allergies, consuming white pumpkin can sometimes cause problems.
Because its consumption can cause skin allergy marks like itching, rashes, burning sensation etc. on the face or any part of the body.
Harmful during pregnancy
White pumpkins are rich in many nutrients. But its consumption can sometimes prove harmful for pregnant women and the baby growing in their stomach.
As a result, it would be better for pregnant women to consume white pumpkin on the advice of their doctor or dietician.
Read this also:
stomach related problems
White pumpkin is a high source of fiber. Which is helpful in removing constipation and keeping the stomach healthy. But consuming it in excess can cause digestive problems.
Consuming it in excess quantity may lead to stomach related problems like vomiting, diarrhea etc.
way of eating
It is mostly eaten in the form of petha and vegetable. Talking about the taste of white gourd, it has no taste of its own. But it is a vegetable with mild taste similar to cucumber.
White gourd is a cold nature fruit which can be consumed during summer days for relief from heat. On hot days, it can be consumed by mixing it with salad, smoothie or juice. If you eat it in cold weather then you can add black pepper etc. to it.
Conclusion (benefits and side effects of Ash gourd)
White pumpkin or ash gourd is an ancient vegetable fruit. There is a lot of nutrition present in this fruit growing on the vine. It is commonly used as vegetable and petha.
Including it in the diet can be helpful in controlling diabetes, improving eye, skin and heart health. However, excessive consumption of it in winter can be harmful.
Its consumption in winter can cause problems like joint pain, sinus, cough, cold, stomach upset. As a result, it is important to be careful. Only then can it be beneficial for you.
Why is white pumpkin (petha) called winter melon?
It is cool. It is also called winter melon because it is helpful in cooling the body and it can be preserved for a long time.
Disclaimer
The things mentioned in this article titled Benefits and Disadvantages of White Pumpkin are only for the purpose of providing general information. You should not consider this as any kind of medical advice or alternative.
