It is very important to eat green vegetables to keep the body healthy. Regular use of these green vegetables rich in different nutrients protects our body from different diseases or helps in curing many diseases. One such vegetable rich in different nutrients is Sponge gourd.
Sponge gourd is a nutritious vegetable that has many health benefits. The Sponge gourd tree is native to South and Southeast Asia. All parts of this plant have medicinal properties.
Health Benefits of Sponge Gourd
Sponge gourd is used as a home remedy for various health issues. This vegetable is helpful in reducing blood sugar, constipation, weight loss, and hypoglycemia, strengthening the immune system, and detoxifying the body.
Sponge gourd is a tremendous, fast-growing annual vine that produces a widely eaten vegetable. The inner fleshy part of the vegetable is used as a scrubber as it turns sponge-like when fully mature. The vine can climb over 30 feet. The leaves are green in color. The flowers are displayable and have five petals. The fruits are green; They are snares and smooth. Fruit mature outer skin eventually dries up and is brown in color and contains numerous black colored seeds inside the fruit.
This article discusses the health benefits and related information about Sponge Gourd.
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Nutritional value Per 100g of Sponge gourd
- Energy: 56 kJ (13 kcal)
- Carbohydrates: 14.34 g
- Sugars: 5.17 g
- Dietary fiber: 2.9 g
- Fat: 0.34 g
- Protein: 0.66 g
- Vitamins
- Vitamin A: 260 IU
- Thiamine (B1): 0.046 mg
- Riboflavin (B2): 0.042 mg
- Niacin (B3): 0.26 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.099 mg
- Folate (B9): 12 μg
- Vitamin C: 5.7 mg
- Vitamin E: 0.24 mg
- Vitamin K: 1.7 μg
- Minerals
- Calcium: 9 mg
- Iron: 0.36 mg
- Magnesium: 20 mg
- Phosphorus: 31 mg
- Potassium: 453 mg
- Sodium: 21 mg
- Zinc: 0.17 mg
Different Regional Names of Sponge Gourd
- Assamese: Bhool
- Hindi: Ghia torai
- Marathi: Palo
- Telugu: Neyangnattakolu
- Kannada: Tuppaheere
Scientific Classification of Sponge Gourd
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Rosids
- Order: Cucurbitales
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Genus: Luffa
- Species: L. aegyptiaca
- Scientific name: Luffa aegyptiaca
Health Benefits of Sponge Gourd
1. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Sponge gourd contains a lot of vitamin B5 which is helpful in reducing bad cholesterol levels as well as triglyceride which reduces the chances of cardiovascular disease.
2. Improves brain function
Sponge gourd contains iron which helps in getting oxygen to function properly in the brain. Iron absence can lead to poor memory, indifference, restlessness, inattention and reduced productivity.
3. Boost Immunity System
Sponge gourd juice supports your body’s defense system and allows it to fight infection and virus essays well.
4. Manages Diabetes
Manganese present in the Sponge gourd is an essential ingredient for the production of digestive enzymes which is responsible for a process called gluconeogenesis. Manganese helps in increasing insulin sleep, reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing the mitochondria process.
5. Prevents Eye Problem
Sponge gourds are rich in vitamin A which helps in preventing macular degeneration which can cause blindness. Adding Sponge gourd to your diet can help prevent eye diseases.
6. Prevents Muscle Pain
Potassium present in the Sponge gourd is a great help in balancing fluid levels and relaxing muscles. Low potassium presence can lead to muscle contractions and pain. It helps in breaking down proteins and carbs on which muscles depend for repair and strength.
7. Treats Arthritis
Sponge gourd is a great source of copper that helps in providing anti-inflammatory properties that soothe stiffness and pain. Copper strengthens muscles and helps in repairing cognitive tissue.
8. Treats Anemia
Sponge gourd contains high amounts of vitamin B6 which is essential in producing hemoglobin in the blood which helps in transporting oxygen to cells and collects iron. Adequate consumption of vitamin B6 can help reduce anemia symptoms and prevent its occurrence.
9. Acts as Blood Purifier
Sponge gourd can help in removing toxins in the blood. Sponge gourd actually contributes to liver health and reduces the side effects caused by prolonged drinking alcohol.
10. Laxative Properties
Sponge gourd is considered as a carrier of healthy laxative properties that can act as an extremely effective relief to constipation problems and may even be used to cure diarrheal diseases.
11. Weight Loss
Sponge gourd is extremely low in saturated fat, low cholesterol consumption towards the body, has reasonable amounts of fat and calories and contains high amounts of water which is beneficial in managing your weight loss process.
12. Improves Skin Health
Vitamin C present in the Sponge gourd can hydrate your skin, reduce wrinkles and even slow down the aging process. Vitamin C is essential for protein production to form skin, blood vessels and ligaments as well as can help in the healing process of injury.
13. Treats Migraine Headache
Magnesium is an ingredient in the Sponge gourd that helps balance your body’s neurotransmitter, taking enough magnesium can help reduce the recurrence of migraine headaches.
14. Prevents Acne
The high amount of water in the Sponge gourd means it helps in hydrating the skin. Sponge gourd also has blood purifying properties that help prevent several skin conditions by removing toxins, especially acne.
Read Also: Health Benefits of Brinjal (Aubergine)
Uses of Sponge Gourd
Sponge gourd is generally used for consumption purposes. This vegetable is used to make different types of dishes. It can be eaten as fried, curry etc. You can also add it into your salad. Fresh sponge gourd juice is used in curing various diseases.
Side Effects of Sponge Gourd
If directly consumed, the vegetable is probably safe when consumed directly in a good quantity. But there is not enough reliable information to know whether it is safe or what the side effects may be when taken as a medicine. Thus staying on the safe side, use the veggie in a limited amount as excessive amounts of anything can impact the health in a bad way.
It should be used in the right quantity keeping in mind the benefits and disadvantages of Sponge gourd as excessive use of anything can harm our health. The above mentioned information is provided only for general knowledge purposes. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using Sponge gourd in the medicinal field in curing the disease.
Conclusion
The provided information about the health benefits of Sponge Gourd in the above article are only for basic knowledge purposes. Please consult your doctor before using it as medicine, especially in severe health issues. Thank You!
FAQ
Q: What is Sponge Gourd beneficial for?
Ans: This vegetable is effective in controlling blood sugar, constipation, weight loss, and loss of hypoglycemia, boosting the immune system, losing weight and detoxifying the body.
Q. Is Sponge Gourd good for the skin?
Ans: Vitamin C present in the Sponge gourd can hydrate your skin, reduce wrinkles and even slow down the aging process. Vitamin C is essential for protein production to form skin, blood vessels and ligaments as well as can help in the healing process of injury.
Q. What is Sponge Gourd known in Hindi languages?
Ans: Sponge gourd is called ‘Ghia turai’ in Hindi.
Q: Which family does Sponge Gourd belong to?
Ans: Sponge gourd plant belongs to the ‘Cucurbitaceae’ family.
Q: What is the scientific name of Sponge gourd?
Ans. The scientific name of Sponge gourd is – ‘Luffa aegyptiaca’.