Karela is a vegetable known as bitter melon or gourd and is commonly used in cuisines like Indian cuisine or Southeast Asian cuisine. Despite its bitter taste, karela is packed with a variety of health benefits. You can consume karela in any form, like juice, vegetable, powder, and much more. Let's discuss the vital karela health benefits and how you can add it to your diet:
List of Karela Health Benefits
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1. Helps Manage Diabetes
Karela has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to help manage diabetes. It is because it contains a compound called charantin, which has been shown to have blood sugar-lowering properties. In addition, karela is rich in a type of insulin-like compound called polypeptide-p, which helps in regulating the blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Several studies have shown that consuming karela can help in lowering the blood sugar levels of people who have diabetes. For example, there was a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology that found that consuming karela juice for four weeks significantly reduced the blood sugar levels of people who have type 2 diabetes.
2. Supports Digestive Health
Karela is also great for digestive health. It is rich in fiber, which can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. In addition, karela contains enzymes that aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Furthermore, karela has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and also improve digestive function. It makes karela an excellent food for people who suffer from digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and indigestion. Here, you can also read about Moringa uses and benefits in detail.
3. Boosts Immune System
Karela contains antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, which can help boost the immune system and protect the body against infections and diseases. These antioxidants can help reduce inflammation, a key contributor to many chronic conditions. You can also drink karela jamun juice to make it more effective for your immune system.
Furthermore, karela is rich in zinc, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. Zinc helps activate immune cells and is required to produce antibodies that fight infections.
4. Promotes Weight Loss
If you are looking to shed a few pounds, karela can help. It is low in calories but has lots of fiber which will make you feel full and satisfied even after eating your meals. In addition, karela contains compounds that have been shown to help reduce the absorption of fat and carbohydrates in the body.
Several studies have found that consuming karela can help promote weight loss. In a study, there were facts found that karela extract supplementation for 12 weeks significantly reduced body weight and body fat in obese individuals.
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5. Supports Heart Health
Karela is also great for heart health. It contains compounds shown to help reduce cholesterol levels in the body. High cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for heart disease, so lowering cholesterol levels can help prevent heart disease.
In addition, karela contains potassium, essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. High blood pressure is another significant risk factor for heart disease, so consuming karela can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Zanducare is a famous brand that offers a variety of ingredients for better health and skin. The products are tested and 100% safe for the skin and body. Zanducare Karela capsules help maintain sugar levels and are suitable for people with heart problems or diabetes.
6. Improves Skin Health
Karela is also great for skin health. It contains vitamins A, C, and E, essential for maintaining healthy skin. These vitamins can help in reducing the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines and can also improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Furthermore, karela contains compounds that have been shown to have properties that can help in reducing inflammation in the skin. It makes karela an excellent food for people who suffer from skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
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7. Promotes Liver Health
Karela is works as natural medicine for liver health. Karela contains compounds that have been shown to help protect the liver and promote liver health.
For example, karela contains compounds called momordicin and charantin, which have been shown to have hepatoprotective properties. These compounds can help in preventing any damage caused to the liver by harmful toxins.
Furthermore, karela is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the liver from oxidative damage. It makes karela an excellent food for people with liver damage or looking to improve their liver health.
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8. Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to various chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Karela can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can help prevent the development of these chronic diseases. You can also drink karela jamun juice to reduce inflammation and improve your health.
9. Improves Respiratory Health
Karela has also been shown to have beneficial effects on respiratory health. It contains compounds that help reduce inflammation in the airways and improve lung function. Drinking karela juice can help in improving lung function in people who have asthma. It helps in breathing and also removes harmful toxins from the body.
10. Supports Brain Health
Finally, karela is also beneficial for brain health. It contains compounds that help with the neuroprotective properties and also helps in preventing any damage caused to the brain and improving cognitive functions. According to the research, it proves that consuming karela juice can help in improving cognitive functions in older people.
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How to Incorporate Karela Into Your Diet?
Karela can be a challenging vegetable to cook due to its bitter taste. However, there are several ways to incorporate karela into your diet.
One of the popular ways to consume karela is to make karela juice. Cut the karela into small pieces, remove the seeds, and blend it with water. Add other fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, and ginger, to the juice to make it more palatable.
Another way to consume karela is to stir-fry it with vegetables or meats. You can also stuff karela with spices and herbs, such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric, and bake it in the oven.
List of Ayurvedic Products of Karela
Karela is also known as a popular ingredient in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that karela has several health benefits, so it is used in many Ayurvedic products. Let's discuss the popular Ayurvedic products made from karela and their benefits:
1. Karela Juice
Karela juice is made by blending karela with water and straining it. It is a popular Ayurvedic product that is believed to have many health benefits. Karela juice is rich in vitamins and minerals and an excellent antioxidant source. It is believed to help improve digestion, boost immunity, lower blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss.
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2. Karela Capsules
Karela capsules are a popular Ayurvedic product that is made from karela extract. Karela capsules are believed to help regulate blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, and improve digestion. They are also considered to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help prevent various chronic diseases.
3. Karela Powder
Karela powder is made by drying and grinding karela into a fine powder. It is a popular Ayurvedic product that is believed to have many health benefits. Karela powder is rich in vitamins and minerals and an excellent antioxidant source. It is believed to help improve digestion, boost immunity, lower blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss.
4. Karela Tea
Karela tea is made by boiling karela in water and then straining it. It is a popular Ayurvedic product that is believed to have many health benefits. Karela tea is rich in vitamins and minerals and an excellent antioxidant source. It is believed to help improve digestion, boost immunity, lower blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss.
5. Karela Oil
Karela oil is made by pressing karela seeds. It is a popular Ayurvedic product that is believed to have many health benefits. Karela oil is rich in vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of antioxidants. It is believed to help improve skin health, promote hair growth, and lower cholesterol levels.
6. Karela Churna
Karela churna is made by drying and grinding karela into a fine powder. It is a popular Ayurvedic product that is believed to have many health benefits. Karela churna is rich in vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of antioxidants. It is believed to help improve digestion, boost immunity, lower blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss.
Conclusion
Karela is a popular ingredient in Ayurveda, and there are several Ayurvedic products made from karela that are believed to have many health benefits. Karela is rich in vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of antioxidants, which can help prevent various chronic diseases.
Karela is believed to help regulate blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, improve digestion, boost immunity, improve skin health, and promote hair growth. If you want to try Ayurvedic products made from karela, it is essential to consult the doctor before starting any new treatment.
