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Health Benefits of Pointed Gourd, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Dec 15, 2022

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Pointed gourd or Parwal is an inexpensive but highly nutritious member of the gourd family. It is mostly cultivated in the eastern and northern parts of India and some other parts of the Indo-Malayan region. This humble vegetable has many healing properties ranging from the ability to prevent and cure colds to curing jaundice of the liver. At the same time it is a rich source of many micronutrients, such as like vitamins A, B1, B2 and C and also calcium.

On the other hand Pointed Gourd is rich in fiber and low in calories which help in reducing and maintaining weight. Even a small amount of this vegetable provides a lot of nutrients needed by the body and that too with very less calories. At the same time, Pointed Gourd also effective in controlling serious ailments like diabetes and high cholesterol. Not only does ayurveda consider pointed gourd to be a tonic for the heart it is also used in the treatment of various ailments, such as skin infections and constipation etc.

Apart from being anti-viral it. Pointed Gourd is also anti-bacterial in nature and hence can be used to treat many different forms of infections. Slowly the western world is realizing the benefits of this vegetable and it is finding its way to western kitchens as well.

What are Pointed Gourd or Parwal?

Pointed gourd is a well-known vegetable in the Indian sub-continent and is commonly known as parwal. All the members of the gourd family provide many health benefits and they are especially good in the treatment of urinary problems and diabetes. The gourd family consists of snake gourd, bitter gourd, and pointed gourd.

Pointed gourd is used in preparing several Indian dishes which are both dry and with gravy. At the same time in some parts of India, pointed gourd is also used for making sweet dishes. The best part is that pointed gourd is not expensive and tastes good too.

Summary- Pointed gourd is one of the famous ingredients in common household kitchens. It can be consumed as curry, desserts, etc.

Nutritional Value of Pointed Gourd in 100gm

Most people are not aware of the health benefits of pointed gourd and it is considered to be a poor man’s vegetable. It is rich in vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C. Pointed Gourd also a great source of calcium which is necessary for the health of the bones.

The best part of Pointed Gourd vegetable is that it is very low in calories and hence helps in controlling cholesterol levels in the body. In the ancient Indian medicine system of Ayurveda pointed gourd is used to treat many ailments including gastric problems. Pointed gourd nutrition value is also considered to be a natural aphrodisiac which can enhance sex life.

This ancient science also uses pointed gourd for treating skin infections, fever, and constipation. Only 100 grams of pointed gourd provide good amounts of vitamin A and C, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and many other micro nutrients while it has only 24 calories. Hence it is a great choice for people who want to reduce their calorie intake and enhance their nutritional consumption.

Summary- The nutritional content of the pointed gourd is enriched with several nutrients. It offers many health benefits and lowers calorie intake too.

Nutritional facts Per 100 grams in Pointed gourd

19
Calories
4 g
Total Carbohydrate
2 g
Protein

Health Benefits of Pointed Gourd

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Pointed Gourd. You can start eating this vegetable and add in your diet plan to get all these health benefits.

Pointed gourd Improves digestion

The pointed gourd has low calorific values and is a rich source of vitamins and dietary fibers too. These fibers support better digestion and smoothen bowel movements. Due to these nutrients, pointed gourd enhances digestive health.

Summary- Pointed gourds help to treat digestive ailments. It also regulates digestive juices

Pointed gourd treats constipation problem

Constipation is not as simple as we consider it to be because chronic constipation, if untreated, can lead to various serious health problems. This is because the waste food remains sitting in the intestines and can cause different ailments.

Constipation can occur due to less intake of water or due to high intake of minerals like iron. The seeds in bitter pointed gourd prevent to ease the passage of stools and this why this veggie is recommended for people who suffer from constipation.

Pointed gourd Controls blood sugar

The presence of several nutrients makes pointed gourd capable to control and change blood sugar levels. They are not known to increase blood sugar levels and also prevent their random spikes. They are also helpful in controlling cholesterol by reducing LDL and increasing HDL.

Summary- Pointed gourd helps in balancing the blood sugar levels. They support a healthy balance of blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Pointed gourd helps in weight loss

Obesity has become a major problem all over the world due to the sedentary lifestyles and reliance on junk food which has lot of fat. However, obesity should not be taken lightly as it can lead to severe ailments like heart disease, hypertension etc.

As mentioned above pointed gourd is a low calorie food and is high in fiber. This means that it makes you feel full without consuming too many calories. This is the reason that people who are trying to lose weight should eat this vegetable as much as they can

Pointed gourd act as blood purifier

Pointed gourd also purifies the blood according to Ayurveda, which says that pointed gourd is very good at controlling the kapha in the body. Hence people, who are suffering from an imbalance of kapha in their body, can be benefited by eating pointed gourd. Purification of blood is important in order to keep the body free of many serious ailments.

Pointed gourd lower blood cholesterol levels

As mentioned above the seeds of pointed gourd are effective in controlling blood sugar levels. At the same time they are also good at controlling the cholesterol levels. Pointed gourd reduce the levels of bad cholesterol LDL and enhance the levels of good cholesterol HDL.

Pointed gourd treats flu

Cold and flu are common ailments and although they are not usually serious, can make you feel miserable and uncomfortable. According to Ayurveda, pointed gourd has the ability to boost your immunity and make you less susceptible to viral infections which cause cold and flu. This action is due to the presence of high amounts of vitamin C in pointed gourd vegetable. It also can be used as a medicine to treat flu, high fevers and throat irritation.

pointed gourd reduces the signs of ageing

Pointed gourd is rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C and hence helps to reduce the signs of aging on the skin. However, its benefits are not just limited to the skin, but it prevents the premature aging of all organs in the body.

pointed gourd helps in treating jaundice

As mentioned above pointed gourd is good for the liver and hence helps in the treatment of jaundice which is an ailment affecting the liver. At the same time it also improves the overall functionality of the liver. This in turn improves digestion because the liver plays an important part in the digestive system.

Pointed gourd for treating alcoholism

According to the ancient Indian text the Charaka Samhita it is also used in the treatment of alcoholism. Not only the fruit but also the leaves of the pointed gourd plant are useful for this purpose.

Pointed gourd has antibacterial properties

The leaves fruits and seeds of pointed gourd are used as antibacterial agents. This is the reason that the various parts of the plant are used in treating bacterial infections of different kinds.

Pointed gourd for treating anorexia

Anorexia is a psycho-physical ailment and modern research has proved that pointed gourd is excellent in the treatment of anorexia

Treats Constipation

Pointed gourd is often recommended to ease constipation as it is very beneficial for the digestive system. Particularly, the seeds are more effective in relieving constipation. It also prevents instances of constipation, such as cramps and bloating.

Summary- Pointed gourd works effectively to treat constipation. It must be consumed regularly to clear out digestive issues.

Helps in weight loss

Regular consumption of pointed gourd efficaciously aids weight loss. It supports proper digestion, delays the aging process, and treats constipation which ultimately leads to the eradication of excess fats. Hence, it is a must recommendation for weight loss.

Summary- Desired weight loss can be successfully achieved by regular consumption of weight loss.

Helps in treating jaundice

Pointed gourds possess liver-protecting attributes. It is power-packed with many macro and micronutrients that potentially heal jaundice. It is best known for its properties of healing jaundice. It enhances liver health thereby preventing jaundice-like disorders.

Summary- Pointed gourds are often recommended for jaundice patients because of their rich nutrition contents.

Treats flu

Pointed gourds display the attributes of immunizing the body. It also helps in blood purification thereby preventing some common disorders. Common colds and coughs can be easily tackled by consuming pointed gourds.

Summary- Pointed gourds if consumed regularly can combat flu-like issues easily.

Uses of Pointed Gourd

The best part is that pointed gourd vegetable tastes good and can be used in a variety of preparations, such as-

  • It can be cooked on its own, either dry or gravy, and can also be cooked in combination with other vegetables like potatoes.
  • pointed gourd used in some parts of the country to make sweet dishes.
  • You can use your creativity and conjure different recipes from this vegetable.
  • The pointed gourd is lesser known in western countries but in India, it is a very popular vegetable.
Summary- Pointed gourd can be used to serve various purposes, such as making curry, desserts, etc.
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How to cook pointed gourd

Pointed gourds can be incorporated into various recipes. One of the most famous dishes is aloo parwal which can be prepared as follows-

  • Peel and rinse some pointed gourds in water and cut them into pieces.
  • Now peel, wash and slice potatoes too.
  • Fry pointed gourds and potatoes in hot oil in a pan
  • Now add some regular spices to them
  • After frying everything for 10 minutes, add water to them.
  • Let them boil for about 15 minutes on medium flame.
  • The curry is ready and garnish it with cilantro.

Summary- Aalo-parwal sabzi can be prepared in almost 30 minutes by following the above-stated rules. This curry can be served with roti and rice both.

Side-Effects & Allergies of Pointed Gourd

The pointed gourd is not known to cause severe allergies or side effects. However, there are some points that require your immediate attention-

  • Overeating should be avoided as it may lead to bloating and cramps.
  • The most familiar side effects are nausea, and headaches.
  • In some cases lightheadedness is also observed.

Summary- Nausea, vomiting, and bloating are some of the adverse effects which must be taken care of.

Origin And Cultivation of Pointed Gourd

Pointed gourd is a vegetable which is native to the Indo-Malayan region. It is cultivated widely in the eastern parts of the country and in the plains of North India from Punjab to Assam. It is also extensively cultivated in Bihar, Odissa, Assam and West Bengal.

Summary- Pointed gourd is native to India. It is mostly consumed and cultivated in the northern states of India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is pointed gourd beneficial during pregnancy?

The pointed gourd is a rich source of vitamins C and, ions, minerals, and other micronutrients which make it a superfood for pregnancy.

Can we eat pointed gourd daily?

Yes, it can be eaten daily as pointed gourd helps to reduce calorie intake and provides so much nutrition.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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