7 Healthy Gourds For Your Plate

Gourds are one of the most underrated vegetables in the flora family. When we talk about healthy vegetables, then we at once think of green leafy vegetables or the superfoods like bell peppers. We never count gourds among the group of nutritious vegetables that should be eaten on a regular basis. Although gourds are not popular on a global scale, they are very popular vegetables in the Indian cuisine.

Indians cook a variety of gourds in different styles. This brings us to the best thing about these vegetables, that is; there is a wide variety of gourds available within the gourd family. For example, there is bottle gourds, bitter gourd, snake gourd, pointed gourd to name a few. Every one of these gourds have an unique taste of their own. So you could have gourds on every day of the week and yet never be bored.

These healthy vegetables are not leafy but they surely are green. They contain all the essential healthy benefits of green vegetables. Besides, gourds are supposed to be must haves for diabetics. Bitter gourd is an elixir of life for people suffering from diabetes. Besides, even bottle gourd and snake gourd juice is recommended to control your blood sugar levels.

As these healthy vegetables have very low sugar content and very high fibre content, they are very useful for people who are on a diet. If you are trying to lose weight then these vegetables can be really helpful. Ridge gourd gives you the rarest of minerals, zinc and is also rich in riboflavin. Thus, you say that every member of the gourd family has some unique nutritional value to offer on the table.

Here are 7 types of gourds and their special nutritional benefits for you.

Bitter Gourd

Bitter Gourd

This is the healthiest vegetable in the gourd family. Bitter gourd has a medication purpose for diabetics but it also helps purify the blood and gives you glowing skin.

Bottle Gourd

Bottle Gourd

If you have troublesome urinary problems or a weak kidneys, bottle gourd juice is the best natural remedy for you.

Snake Gourd

Snake Gourd

It is low in calories and high in dietary fibres. So, it is a dieter's dream food. You can fill your stomach with it and control food cravings.

Ridge Gourd

Ridge Gourd

This gourd gives you some rare minerals like zinc and magnesium. It also gives you other nutrients like thiamin and riboflavin.

Pointed Gourd

Pointed Gourd

This gourd is good for the liver and also heart healthy because it has zilch saturated fats. It is often referred to as the green potato.

Teasel Gourd

Teasel Gourd

This is also a type of bitter gourd that is eaten in Kerala. It is not so popular in other parts of the world.

Ivy Gourd

Ivy Gourd

This popular gourd is also known as little gourd. It lowers blood sugar levels substantially. Therefore, it is highly recommended for diabetics.

Story first published: Monday, November 26, 2012, 11:43 [IST]
Read more about: vegetables food nutrition