Bottle gourd contains 96% of water and it also has dietary fibre, vitamin B, C, potassium and iron in very high quantity. It has numerous health benefits like it lowers high BP and high cholesterol levels in the blood, strengthens the digestion system and treats all kinds of liver diseases etc. but still it can be toxic. Bottle gourd juice can harm the health of a person if not taken with proper safety measures. Read the full article to find about the same.

Health Benefits of Bottle Gourd Juice 

Bottle gourd is used to treat many diseases. It is an Ayurvedic medicine for premature greying of hair. It also increases haemoglobin level in the body. Bottle gourd Juice mixed with bitter gourd Juice is used to treat diabetes.

There are various health benefits of drinking bottle gourd juice and they are:

Cools your body

Bottle gourd juice has a cooling effect on your body and keeps your body hydrated especially during summers. It keeps your stomach cool and reduces body heat. Bottle gourd juice is a great remedy for any kind of heat-related ailment like nose bleeding, pimples or ulcers.

Helps in weight loss

Bottle gourd juice is widely used for weight loss. It is packed with fibre which helps in keeping you full for longer and it is also low in calories. Bottle gourd contains fewer calories with no fat. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin c vitamin b, vitamin k, vitamin a, vitamin e, iron, folate, potassium and manganese.

Treats urinary infections

Drinking freshly squeezed bottle gourd juice mixed with some lime juice is one of the best natural remedies to treat urinary tract infections.

Cures diarrhoea

Bottle gourd juice helps in curing constipation and also treats diarrhoea. The water and fibre content help in cleaning your digestive tract and allows easy bowel movement. To treat diarrhoea, drink bottle gourd juice with a pinch of salt. This concoction helps in maintain the electrolyte balance of the body. According to Ayurveda, bottle gourd juice is great for digestion.

For healthy heart

Regular consumption of bottle gourd juice on an empty stomach every morning helps in lowering your blood cholesterol levels and maintains healthy heart functions.

Relief from stress

Bottle gourd contains a good amount of choline – a kind of neurotransmitter that helps in improving the functions of the brain and helps in preventing stress, depression and other mental disorders.

Can bottle gourd juice be toxic?

Although bottle gourd juice has numerous benefits, did you know that bottle gourd juice can be toxic too and can cause various health problems?

Bottle gourd may cause poisoning which is a condition that occurs when a raw bottle or toxic bottle gourd is consumed either directly or in any other form. Such bottle gourd when consumed is known to cause serious side effects of illness and even deaths. There may be side effects or symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache etc. immediately after taking bottle gourd juice.

Bottle gourds, if taken in excessive quantities can turn out to be a nightmare for pregnant women. Bottle gourds are notorious for causing emmenagogue (an increase of menstrual flow) and abortifacient effects.

Some of the side effects of bottle gourd are

Bottle gourds can trigger contractions

For lactating women, it is best to avoid bottle gourd. This is because though there isn’t any scientific backing which says bottle gourds are bad for lactating women, its adverse effects on pregnant women might have similar effects on lactating women

Drug interactions

It is actually shocking to know vegetables like bottle gourd which are known for their healing properties, might even come in the way of drugs. But this is the fact. Combining bottle gourd juice with standard drugs can reduce blood sugar levels steeply. This might possibly lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels. Hence diabetic patients who are under medication should consult their doctors before consuming bottle gourds

Can cause irregular heart rhythm

In 2010, a study published in ‘The Annals of Saudi Medicine’ revealed something new. A 22-year-old male without any heart rhythm irregularities developed related symptoms when he drank half a cup of bottle gourd juice before the admission. When the heart rhythm gets irregular, it leads to the pooling of the blood in one side of the heart. This can result in the platelets forming clots in the pool, thereby causing a stroke or heart attack

Bottle gourds for your children? Think again

This might come as good news for your kids. But this is not a random statement produced out of thin air. It has been reported that red arils (the covering on the seeds) might be toxic to children. They might cause vomiting and diarrhoea. So if your child is allergic to bottle gourds, it is better to avoid giving them the vegetable.

Might affect the liver

You might wonder what the connection is between liver and bottle gourd. Though this might appear a bit illogical, evidence exists. Intake of bottle gourds for extended periods of time to control diabetes might actually induce liver inflammation.

Safety tips before consuming bottle gourd

Don’t overeat

The excess of everything is bad, and so is the case with bottle gourds. Never overeat it thinking that it will help cure your problems like diabetes and overweight, rather overeating of bottle gourds can cause nausea and vomiting.

Avoid mixing with other veggies

It is advised to avoid mixing bottle gourd’s juice with other fruit and vegetable juices, as it can cause discomfort and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Stop eating if it is causing allergies

If you are observing some allergies after eating bottle gourd or after drinking its juice, then it is highly recommended to stop consuming it and visit your doctor.

Never eat bitter taste bottle gourd

Before extracting the juice of bottle gourd, make sure it is not bitter. If it is bitter, then avoid consuming it.

Dilute the juice

Always dilute the juice with water. Remember to not add any other juices with it.

Too much dietary is bad for stomach

Although dietary fibres offer a variety of advantages, it’s judicious to eat bottle gourd moderately. Consuming a lot of dietary fibres in our system can do a lot of damage.

Too many antioxidants can cause problems

This facet impact of antioxidant is due to the actual fact that in an excessive amount, antioxidants not solely target the cancer cells. However, conjointly targets the healthy cells around them, and during this manner, it causes aerophilous injury to our cells and tissues

Can cause Hypoglycemia

If you are suffering from diabetes, then it is advisable to eat bottle gourd in the limit as too many can lead to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a situation in which sugar level drops too low giving rise to sweating, weakness, shakiness etc.

Might increase the risk of hypotension

Hypotension is a condition in which blood pressure drops efficiently leading to fatigue, depression, etc. Eating too many bottle gourd can lead to such condition, hence limit the amount you are consuming.

Pregnant women must avoid bottle gourd

Bottle gourd contains many alkaline components that can spread toxicity in the human body. Hence, it is recommended that pregnant women must avoid consumption of bottle gourd.

Keep away from toddlers and kids

Kids are very sensitive. Eating bottle gourds can lead to digestive system issues such as bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal cramping and gas. Hence, if your kid is allergic to bottle gourd, it is best to keep it away from him.

It is always advised not to take anything overly. Overconsumption always leads to health issues. If you are having health issues, consult your doctor before consuming bottle gourd juice.