22 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd For Skin, Hair And Health

Confused with the name? More commonly bitter gourd in hindi is known as “Karela”. This vegetable is called as Bitter Gourd, Bitter Melon and Bitter Squash in english. First thing that comes to my mind seeing it is the bitterness in the name. They are dark or light green in colour depending on the region where they are grown. Though they taste very bitter, they are filled with many beneficial antioxidants and essential vitamins.

Bitter melon can be consumed in various ways like drinking its juice, pickle or using them in recipes.

BITTER MELON BENEFITS:

Let us quickly look at some of the most well known health benefits of Bitter Melon:

1. Respiratory disorders:

Fresh pods are an excellent remedy for curing respiratory problems like asthma, cold, cough, etc.

2. Liver tonic:

Drink one glass of Bitter Melon juice daily to heal liver problems. Keep consuming this continuously for a week to see results.

3. Immune system:

Boil bitter melon leaves or fruits in water and consume it every day to fight against infections. This also helps to build your immunity.

4. Acne:

Consuming Bitter Melon can help to get rid of acne, blemishes and deep skin infections.  Bitter melon is useful in treating blood disorders like blood boils, scabies, itching, psoriasis, ring-worm and other fungal diseases. The free radicals in it are also useful for anti ageing.

Consume juice of bitter melon mixed with lemon on an empty stomach daily for 6 months or till you get the required results.

5. Diabetes:

Bitter melon juice benefits to overcome type 2 diabetes. It has been a part of the Chinese and Indian ancient medicine for a long time but only recent research has proven that it is no folk lore. Type 2 diabetes is caused partially due to the inability of a cell to absorb the sugar in the blood due to insufficient insulin or due development of resistance to insulin. In both cases, the cells are unable to absorb the sugar due to the ineffectiveness of insulin produced. The absorption of sugar occurs due to the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in the cells. Bitter gourd activated these kinases due to which the absorption of sugar increases. And hence aids in bringing diabetes in control.

Green juice for diabetics: cucumbers, green apples, bitter melon, celery, ½ green capsicum (bell pepper). Bitter melon contains certain chemicals that are like insulin which help to reduce blood sugar levels.

6. Constipation:

Bitter melon helps in easy digestion as it contains fibre properties. The food is digested and waste is thrown out of the body which helps in curing indigestion and constipation problems.

7. Kidney and bladder:

Bitter melon helps to maintain healthy liver and bladder. It is also useful in curing kidney stones.

8. Heart disease:

Bitter melon is very good for the heart in many ways. They help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels which clog the arterial walls and thereby reduce the chances of heart attacks. Also it is known to lower blood sugar levels that help in maintaining good heart health.

 9. Cancer:

Bitter Melon can prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

10. Weight loss:

Bitter Melon contains antioxidants, which help to flush out your system. This improves your metabolism and digestive systems thus helping you lose weight quickly.The two other major factors that aid in weight loss is the calorie control and filling components. Calorie control happens as such because vegetables are low on calories which allows you to consume more quantities of them. Filling component in this vegetable is water. We know that water is a universal suppressant of hunger. And the pods of this vegetable contain on the whole 80-85% water.

SKIN BENEFITS FOR BITTER MELON:

The appearance of your skin is largely determined by what you put inside your body. In other words, getting proper nutrition is a pre requisite for healthy and damage free skin. Being a natural blood purifier, bitter gourd helps in improving the appearance of your skin. It provides the following benefits to your skin:

11. Prevents Skin Problems:

Regular consumption of bitter gourd helps in keeping your skin glowing and free from blemishes. It also helps prevent acne thanks to its blood purifying properties.

12. Skin Infections:

Bitter melon benefits in treating skin diseases or skin infections, eczema and psoriasis. Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice helps in improving psoriasis condition as well as other fungal infections like ring worm and athletes foot.

13. Anti-ageing:

Bitter gourd contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. By fighting and eliminating the harmful free radicals, it helps to prevent wrinkles by slowing down the ageing process. It also protects the skin from damage by Sun’s ultraviolet rays.

14. Healing Qualities:

Bitter gourd helps in controlling blood flow and clotting, causing wounds to heal faster, preventing further infections.

HAIR BENEFITS OF BITTER MELON:

Bitter gourd is a great home remedy for your hair. Besides being beneficial for your skin and health, bitter gourd juice is also effective in treating hair problems and promoting longevity. It is beneficial for your hair in the following ways:

15. Shiny Hair:

To impart a natural shine to your hair, you can mix a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice with yoghurt and apply on your hair. Wash off after sometime. This will make your hair shiny and beautiful.

16. Dandruff:

Dandruff is a common problem and is mostly caused due to the consumption of unhealthy food and exposure to pollution. To ward off dandruff, you can prepare a hair pack by mixing bitter gourd juice and cumin seeds. Regular usage of this pack will rid you of dandruff within a month.

17. Split Ends:

If you are troubled by split ends, you can apply raw bitter gourd juice to your split ends and then comb gently. This should be done twice a week to get rid of split ends.

18. Dry and Itchy Scalp:

To combat dryness of scalp, you can rub a fresh piece of bitter gourd on it and massage your scalp in a circular motion. Then rinse off with clear water. To combat itchiness, you can prepare a hair pack by mixing bitter gourd juice with either avocado or banana and apply it on your scalp. This should be used at least once a week to get rid of itchy scalp.

19. Hair Loss:

Bitter gourd juice helps in reducing hair-fall naturally. All you need to do is mix bitter gourd juice with a dash of sugar and use this paste on your hair to get good results.

20. Rough and Tangled Hair:

If you have rough and tangled hair, you can pour a cup of bitter gourd juice and allow it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse off your hair. This will help smoothen your hair texture and make it soft and shiny.

21. Grey Hair:

Bitter gourd can also treat premature greying of hair. You can apply freshly squeezed bitter gourd juice on your grey strands. Doing this once in every ten days will reduce grey hair growth.

22. Oily Hair:

Increased intake of oily food can cause the accumulation of excess oil in your hair. If you have oily hair, you should first limit the consumption of oily food. You can apply a mixture of bitter gourd juice and apple cider vinegar to remove excess oil from your hair.

Bitter Gourd: Nutritional Value:

The numerous health, skin and hair benefits of bitter melon can be attributed to its nutritional value. It has a wide array of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper and phosphorus. The chart given below shows the nutritional value of bitter gourd.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), fresh, raw, Nutritive value per 100 g
Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	17 Kcal	<1%
Carbohydrates	3.70 g	3%
Protein	1.00 g	2%
Total Fat	0.17 g	0.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	2.80 g	7%
Vitamins
Folates	72 µg	18%
Niacin	0.400 mg	2.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.212 mg	4%
Pyridoxine	0.043 mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.040 mg	3%
Thiamin	0.040 mg	3.5%
Vitamin A	471 IU	16%
Vitamin C	84 mg	140%
Electrolytes
Sodium	5 mg	<1%
Potassium	296 mg	6%
Minerals
Calcium	19 mg	2%
Copper	0.034 mg	4%
Iron	0.43 mg	5%
Magnesium	17 mg	4%
Manganese	0.089 mg	4%
Zinc	0.80 mg	7%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	190 µg	–
Carotene-α	185 µg
Lutein-zeaxanthin	170 µg	–

• Calories: Bitter gourd is quite low in calories with a 100 gram serving providing just 17 calories.
• Vitamin C: Bitter gourd is an excellent source of vitamin C with 100 grams of raw pod, providing 84 mg of this vitamin which is equivalent to 140% of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI).
• Folates: Fresh pods are a good source of folates. 100 grams of fresh pods provide 72 µg of folate which is equivalent to 18% of RDI.
• B-vitamins: It is also a good source of B-vitamins like niacin or Vitamin B3, pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5 and pyridoxine or Vitamin B6.

SOME IMPORTANT TIPS:

1. Always wash Bitter Melon thoroughly under running water.

2. Use fresh Bitter Melon for best results.

3. Always choose bitter gourds that are fresh, bright, deep green in colour.

4. Don’t consume more than 2 bitter melons a day

4. The Bitter Melon leaves should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place. They stay fresh in refrigerator up to a week.

5. Marinade with salt to reduce bitterness.

6. Pregnant women should be careful while consuming this vegetable. The laxative component of the vegetable may lead to premature contraction, vaginal bleeding and miscarriages. Do consult your doctor once.

Top 5 Early Signs of Pregnancy

Very early pregnancy symptoms, then no doubt there are signs that very early on that you are pregnant. The fertilized egg is implanted in about seven days after his arrest. Implantation of the first symptoms of pregnancy, begin to appear. Changes in hormone levels and the body begins to react to the new hormone levels.

The initial concerns about the pregnancy is completely overshadowed by the most unpleasant symptom known as morning sickness.

"This morning," This term may be misleading, because the symptoms often continue throughout the day. Nausea during pregnancy can begin before you know you are pregnant almost immediately after conception has occurred. Maybe the reports to you.

These are early signs of pregnancy can be very painful, especially if you are still reeling from the discovery that you are pregnant. If there are mixed feelings about the pregnancy and the possible end point, it is very painful as the disease carries a constant reminder of the reality of the pregnancy.

In the early morning sickness can be very violent. It happens to go to bed wondering why I do not know anyone to wake up, that he was hit by a bus. All sorts of symptoms, physical and spiritual, can happen early in pregnancy, and explains, "morning sickness", a generic name. The following list describes the experiences of women in the report:

1.Fatigue

Fatigue Fatigue / tiredness in pregnancy may be worse than the night after the birth. The women want to sleep more often than usual, and even sleep with only a slight effect on fatigue and sleepiness. Not often the whole day in bed and you feel tired! This may be completed in the first week of the pregnancy, it does not seem infinite. Start to worry about how to deal with the child, if you can not cope with fatigue, fortunately, this objection is raised, the development of the pregnancy.

2.Nausea

Nausea and vomiting, fatigue, systemic diseases, some women may experience the most debilitating pregnancy. This can affect every aspect of their lives that this is not the practice of everyday life almost impossible. Despite the fact that the debilitating effects only in extreme cases can lead to vomiting, surgery or treatment. Indeed can be done to stop vomiting during pregnancy, and most women just try to survive and adapt their lives as possible, hoping the symptoms go away quickly.

3.hunger

Strange taste will be "a" or hunger. Many women have reported a metallic taste in the mouth. Women's Classic refuse certain foods or develop problems with certain foods. This can be a good adaptive reasons for women's "Crave" certain foods, perhaps, their bodies, to determine nutritional needs. In practice, however, often point to, that seems unlikely. In extreme cases, non-food, coal is the object of desire, which would be difficult to explain, under physiological conditions.

4.Headache

Headache, aches and pains.

5.Mood

Tears, anger bursts, anxiety. But when these feelings can be confusing for parents-to-be, especially for pregnant and wanted to plan.

Do not forget to take care of themselves, even before pregnancy. Do not drink, and stop smoking. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Five of these early signs of pregnancy are trying to figure out how to make, because only the proper knowledge can ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

Pregnancy Week by Week

Keep tab of weeks weeks' Account uterus so if you want to avoid the stress of fear is necessary. The concept of duration 40 weeks. The time is divided into three quarters said. Here, the success.

Here begins the week, the first term of one week 14. The second lasts 26 to 15 weeks to three months. The third part of 40 weeks, 27 weeks. 40, leaving the week, which is therefore the experience of history. So everything should be ready for delivery. The third is the three-step study. You will be met and readings of his birth, his friend is better consectetuer father.

Week 1 To Week 14


Designed by the first week when you're not pregnant. Doctors say they invented the first day of the last time there. An egg by sperm is the end of the second week of fertilization. Thirdly, the principle of which the body is still ignorant of manure. Path egg implanted in the womb, the body begins to feel that could happen is a series of hormonal changes that he feels something illegal. What is the difference between weeks 4 and 5. One case developed by vomiting.

Five to eight days, so that by 14 years, is gaining rapid development of embryonic cells, the group identity of your baby.

Week 15 Week 26

This floor is filled with the evolution of the baby changes. Thus, the mandate to maintain the matrix of the Week A 's. Baby eyes, ears, other characteristics of different things. It has a small area. All players are preparing for growth. He started pumping his chest as well. At 18 weeks the baby begins to develop the fingerprint.

But the 19 weeks the baby is a girl begins to develop an egg in the ovaries. Baby your hair those around her body while he slept, he began gaighvidzos. At 21 weeks in a medical stethoscope meaning of life in the baby. 24 weeks and a doctor, you can hear, has been praised for a beating heart without the ears of the stethoscope of the uterus. At 25 weeks, the brain begins to function Gypsophila paniculata.

Week 27 Week 40

It starts here, and palpabis baby kick. At 29 weeks, the baby has the spirit of the work of the lung can feel the wind. At 32 weeks your baby can see, hear, smell, taste, touch. What should be changed and the dignity of my head fell in the three weeks that follow. But 37 weeks should be prepared to write the project.

What we must remember that he continue after 40 weeks of pregnancy, reached Sunday before the first day of the week the child. To arrive at any time, however, can!

Not weeks belly band, but to get the relevant information is developed from measures to cope better editing, it should be "coined by the matrix. If this is what everyone hopes that three months of pregnancy, childbirth and the concept of art in the most equipped pending changes for the steps on both sides, is the womb.

tips getting pregnant

Pregnancy How soon? This is the most common questions women. Becoming pregnant female and male reproductive organs is an issue with biological function. In terms of physical conditions can increase the chances of reproduction. ASRM Reproductive Medicine and Infertility problems affect the credit of the U.S. population, only about 10 percent (American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

Male infertility and female infertility for almost a week, although sometimes has more women. At the leading cause of male infertility fertility sperm are counted. Two shortcomings are interested in the role of sex and do not reflect the vibration. Sorry, those with obvious weakness is a hidden form. The possibility of female infertility is an irregular menstrual cycle and ovulation time is very short and weak, the majority of medical problems to become pregnant. However, infertility is made to determine the correct diagnosis is not easy.

Some of these challenges and then overcome some tipeulwa pregnant increases the chances of reproduction.

5 tips for men:

• Minimize or avoid caffeine altogether. Limit consumption of one or two cups of coffee a day is good. It can be dangerous to your much more pregnant keopeulreulhamyeon caffeine day soon.
• Stay calm, avoid hot baths and wearing shorts instead of pants. Cycle time may be better to avoid.
• Taking a multivitamin is recommended. B-12, particularly E, C and minerals zinc, selenium, vitamin coenzyme also expected to help fertility. A doctor can do a better job of taking folic acid.
• Frequent sex during pregnancy before allowing a small opening is recommended, volume and sperm count is thin. The 3 or 4 days it is safe to have sex all.
• Some drugs cause adverse effects on fertility problems are hidden. Antibiotics, fungicides, anti-diarrhea, and anabolic steroids are dangerous and can reduce the chances of infertility.

Women's 3 tips:

• You find the best ovulation chart ovulation during pregnancy kit. Ovulation start working before the kit can be unpredictable. So naturally, sex roles to pregnancy planning are similar.
• Monitor body temperature rating chart to change the environment to keep your body fit. Charts, problems and progesterone as the possible flaws, one might consider their part.
• Once a month, sometimes prenatal vitamins and folic pregnant before how much child care can increase the likelihood of reducing defects is to take acid.

Diabetes project for pregnant women

The American Diabetes Association statistics suggest that about four percent of pregnant women experience gestational diabetes. GDM occurs when pregnant women have never had high blood sugar diabetes during pregnancy, especially lately. Plans for about 135 000 cases of pregnant women with gestational diabetes for installation in the United States each year.Women who develop gestational diabetes are likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Pregnancy is caused by failure by the parent in the system that produced insulin in the body naturally. associated with pregnancy, the hormones they produce, they are resistant to insulin. These are the conditions for pregnant women develop high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia.It is normal for women with diabetes during pregnancy for treatment even during pregnancy.congenital malformations associated with pregnancy, diabetes mellitus or pregnancy are not normal. Therefore, it can not be a big concern for children in this situation. The problem, however, may come a time when the task allowed to go untreated. Have excessive blood sugar, which means that the unborn child more than his share, or get fat and energy. This condition can lead to Makrosomiya or big kid.No matter how many people believe that fat is a sign of a healthy child, a child who weighs more than normally needed when it comes to birth. This can be very large to pass through the birth canal of the mother. The situation will almost always deliver a predetermined section. In addition, overweight children often have trouble breathing and finally, if they are still obese, type 2 diabetes alone.It's better when treatment is available gestational diabetes. Doctors recommend regular doses of insulin to restore her mother's blood sugar to normal levels. Women who want to avoid pregnancy, gestational diabetes, physical preparation. Physical therapy includes regular exercise, weight loss, and take a balanced diet. Women planning pregnancy should find also good glycemic index. The glycemic index helps people discover which foods to avoid to prevent diabetes or diabetic patients to help contain the disease.Pregnant women should and should follow the doctor for exercise and diet, particularly consumption of carbohydrates. Before pregnancy, women should always consult their doctor about their weight problems and ways to prevent diabetes. Professional counseling is important for women to prevent complications during pregnancy.A pregnant woman who was diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, her baby has a low risk of developing type 2 diabetes. GDM can be easily handled and not great. Pregnant women have access to a range of care their condition. What you should do is follow that doctors say.