Benefits and Nutritional value of Ash Gourd (Winter Melon)

What is Ash Gourd or winter melon or white pumpkin?

Ash gourd (Called Petha in India) is a vegetable also known by the name of winter melon or white pumpkin. This vegetable is grown in south Asian countries like India, China, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. If you want to take care of your entire body, you must try an Ash gourd, In this Blog, we will discuss different aspects of an Ash gourd.

Nutritional Values of Ash gourd

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

Ash gourd Has very high nutritional value. It is very Rich in vitamin C, calcium, and Iron. due to its very low-calorie, it is considered very useful for weight loss. It also has diuretic properties which help to flush out toxins from our body and helps Kidney functions Better. Ash gourd can be included in our diet in different ways such as Ash gourd juice, Ash gourd soup, or can be stir-fried.

Ash Gourd juice.

Ash gourd juice is considered one of the healthiest juice. It has several noticeable benefits. It helps a lot for diabetic patients as it has several anti-diabetic properties. The dried powder of the peel of ash gourd when mixed with honey, reduces blood sugar levels. 

Benefits of Ash gourd juice

1. It helps in digestion- Due to its high water and low-calorie content, it gets digested easily. It has fiber which helps to ease constipation and bloating.

2. It helps to improve lung health -It loosens the phlegm formation in the lungs and nose. It prevents any excess mucus secretion.

3. It naturally Treats ulcers-It has anti-microbial properties. It helps to eliminate harmful germs and bacteria in the stomach and intestine. It is believed to cure peptic ulcers.

4. It has a cooling effect-It helps to cool our body. Similar to cucumber it is very effective in summer.

5. The excretory system gets regulated by ash gourd-It has a good amount of fiber that regulates bowel movement. It detoxifies the kidney and promotes proper working of the bladder.

6. Ash gourd treats dandruff - It has certain properties that eliminate fungus which causes dandruff.

7. It contains anti-coagulant properties- It thickens the blood, preventing excessive bleeding. It also prevents internal bleeding. It is very useful for those having thinner blood.

However, people suffering from kidney problems should limit their intake.

How to make Ash Gourd juice

Firstly, wash and cut the ash gourd. Then, we need to remove the seeds and the soft part of the center. Outer skin needs to be peeled and then cut into pieces. After that, the diced ash gourd is transferred to the blender, and some water is added to it and then blended well.

Other names of Ash gourd 

It is known by different names all around the world. In India, it is called petha. In The United States, it is known as winter melon or white pumpkin. In China, "dong gua" is the name for Ash Gourd. Ash gourd is called PETHA in Hindi.

Conclusion 

It is a versatile vegetable that possesses several health benefits and is very useful for Ayurvedic medicines. It can be used in many ways according to the requirement. Anyone who wants to extract benefits from this wonderful vegetable must explore it at least once. It is a true gift by the nature to us mankind.