20 Health Benefits of Ridge Gourd (#No.7 is Proven)

Ridge gourd is one type of vegetables that belong to Cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). It has a Latin name, Luffa accutangula. This vegetable plant is very easy to cultivate, so it becomes one of the easiest vegetable found in the market. Nowadays, it becomes popular, especially among women because of its benefits for skin, diet, and fetus. It has a sweet and refreshing taste with a lot of water that make people like this vegetable.

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Nutrients of Ridge Gourd

[table]

[tr][th]Nutrients[/th] [th]Nutrient Value[/th] [th]RDA Percentage[/th][/tr]

[tr][td]Energy[/td] [td]14 kcal[/td] [td]<1%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Carbohydrates[/td] [td]3.39 g[/td] [td]2.5%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Protein[/td] [td]0.62 g[/td] [td]1%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Total Fat[/td] [td]0.02 g[/td] [td]0.5%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Cholesterol[/td] [td]0 mg[/td] [td]0%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Dietary Fiber[/td] [td]0.5 g[/td] [td]1%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Folates[/td] [td]6 µg[/td] [td]1.5%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Niacin[/td] [td]0.320 mg[/td] [td]2%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Pantothenic acid[/td] [td]0.152 mg[/td] [td]3%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Pyridoxine[/td] [td]0.040 mg[/td] [td]3%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Riboflavin[/td] [td]0.022 mg[/td] [td]2%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Thiamin[/td] [td]0.029 mg[/td] [td]2.5%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Vitamin A[/td] [td]16 IU[/td] [td]0.5%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Vitamin C[/td] [td]10.1 mg[/td] [td]17%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Sodium[/td] [td]2 mg[/td] [td]<1%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Potassium[/td] [td]150 mg[/td] [td]3%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Calcium[/td] [td]26 mg[/td] [td]2.6%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Copper[/td] [td]0.034 mg[/td] [td]4%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Iron[/td] [td]0.20 mg[/td] [td]2.5%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Magnesium[/td] [td]11 mg[/td] [td]3%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Manganese[/td] [td]0.089 mg[/td] [td]4%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Phosphorus[/td] [td]13 mg[/td] [td]2%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Selenium[/td] [td]0.2 mg[/td] [td]<1%[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Zinc[/td] [td]0.70 mg[/td] [td]6.5%[/td][/tr]

[/table]

From nutrients above, here are the health benefits of ridge gourd.

Lose Some Weights

Ridge gourd is very rich in fibers, minerals, and vitamins and low in fat and calories, so it is one of the solutions for losing some weights and diet. Ridge gourd is low in saturated cholesterol and fat and because of these reasons, it is an ideal diet for those seeking to lose weight. Overflowing with water content, ridge gourd carries very few calories and is an ideal food for diet, especially women.

Overcome Jaundice

Ridge gourd juice acts as a natural remedy in the treatment of jaundice. It is rich in vitamins and minerals that have antioxidants in there, so it can overcome jaundice.

To do it, we need to prepare the ridge gourd juice and pound the fresh vegetable or its powder made from its bitter seeds. We should consume this juice properly to help overcome jaundice. We should not add sugar or other ingredients for the flavor because it can reduce the effect of ridge gourd.

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Help Treat Anemia

Ridge gourd is a great source of vitamin B6 which is called pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 is essential for producing hemoglobin in the blood that helps mobilize iron and carry oxygen to all cells in the body. In addition, there is also zinc that helps to maintain the blood process. So, this vegetable can be used to treat anemia which is a disease caused by a lack of red blood cells.

Prevent Cancer

The content of vitamin C in ridge gourd is a vitamin that is very rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants will help your body to be stronger in warding off the effects of free radicals.

According to the research, it can also prevent the growth of cancer cells. Cancer cells are owned by all people based on the medical science, so we should prevent it from growing to cancer disease that will affect the body by eating food like ridge gourd.

Increase The Vision of Eyes

Ridge gourd contains a lot of vitamin A that is good for the eyes according to the medical science. Vitamin A is the most important vitamin that is needed by the eye to stay healthy and it also makes your vision sharper.

In addition, people who always eat food that contains vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, copper and zinc like ridge gourd will reduce the risk of macular degeneration for six years based on the research conducted by National Eye Institute.

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Cure Migraine Disease

Magnesium found in ridge gourd can overcome headaches or migraine headaches. This is because magnesium serves to balance the neurotransmitters in the nerve cells in the brain. Based on the study published in “Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics” states that consuming magnesium as much as 300 mg can reduce the possibility of a migraine and headache.

Overcome Diabetes

Ridge gourd is very low in sugar that is always the main cause of diabetes disease. We know that ridge gourd tastes sweet but it is a natural sweetener. In addition, it contains enough water and minerals that also can help dissolve the sugar that accumulates in the body.

Based on research conducted by the Department of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry, it shows that manganese can promote insulin secretion, improve mitochondrial function, and reduce lipid peroxidation. The seed also contains phytochemical anti-diabetes.

To get this benefit, we need to cut ridge gourd and make it smooth by mashing it until it is looked like powder. Then, we can brew it in a half glass of hot water for every 20 grams of it and drink 1-2 times a day. Indeed, that’s one of the most amazing health benefits of ridge gourd.

Maintain Skin Beauty

The content of vitamins A, B and vitamin C that are in ridge gourd is a natural antioxidant. It helps for beauty treatment, especially the skin. It can eliminate dark lines under the eyes, prevent premature aging and eliminate signs of skin aging such as wrinkles, dead skin, skin infection.

Relieve Strep Throat

The content of vitamin C in ridge gourd is also good for relieving the disease of a strep throat. We can get more benefits by drinking it in the form of juice. To do it, we need to put the ridge gourd in the blender, then add honey or sugar stone and wait for the work of the blender. Finally, we should drink it regularly until the throat problem is resolved thoroughly.

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Reduce Heat In The Body

High minerals contained in ridge gourd produce alkaline effects in the body that can be used to reduce the signs of acidity and provide a cooling effect. The alkaline properties also help in reducing the burning sensation during urination and preventing excessive boils and heat.

Maintain Brain Function

The iron contained in ridge gourd is very important for brain health. In the absence of iron, the brain will receive enough oxygen that is needed for the productivity of the brain. In addition, it makes the brain work easily and prevent senile, anxiety, neglect, and easily offended because of bad brain function.

Protect Heart

Vitamin B5 contained in ridge gourd can protect the heart from some diseases. According to the research, taking 900 mg of vitamin B5 can help reduce bad cholesterol and triglycerides, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. It also can help maintain cardiovascular, heart rate and blood pressure.

Relieve Muscle Pain

The potassium substance contained in the ridge gourd is useful to stabilize the fluid and relax the muscles. Meanwhile, the lack of potassium in the body can cause muscle cramps, seizures, and pain according to the orthopedics.

In addition, ridge gourd can reduce arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints accompanied by pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited mobility. Copper content in ridge gourd provides anti-inflammatory. It is very beneficial to relieve pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Therefore, many people that are suffering from arthritis use copper bracelets nowadays because it is believed copper is able to relieve pain.

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Accelerate The Healing Process of Wounds

Vitamin C is an important factor in the production of proteins to build muscle, skin, blood vessels and ligaments. Ridge gourd contains Vitamin C as much as 10 mg, so by eating it, we can help accelerate the healing process of wounds.

Overcome Constipation

Just like other types of vegetables, ridge gourd is also good for the digestion system. It is able to relieve constipation which is caused by bacteria. This is because ridge gourd contains high fiber that will smooth and accelerate the work of the digestion system. It also contains high water content that helps dispose of the bacteria or compounds that are not needed by the body.

More Ridge Gourd Uses for Body

Here are more health benefits of ridge gourd:

Increase the productivity of Mother’s milk
Prevent sprue
Good for the growth of fetus
Increase the immune of body
Prevent hypertension

Cautions of Ridge Gourd

Here are some cautions of consuming ridge gourd too much.

Diarrhea

Ridge gourd is good for the digestion system. However, if we eat this too much, it can make a problem for stomachs, such as vomiting, stomachache, and diarrhea. It is due to the fiber contained in it that make stomach can’t work well if the fiber is too much.

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Too Low Blood Sugar Levels

We should not combine ridge gourd with drugs that also can be used to lower blood sugar. The combination of them can make blood sugar level to the lowest level which is very dangerous. So, we need to consult with the doctor before taking ridge gourd with other drugs/medicines.

That’s it. There are many health benefits of ridge gourd. However, we still need to pay attention to the cautions. Keep healthy and good luck.