Snake Gourd – Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

The leaves of the snake gourd vine are palmate in shape, while the smaller branches and stems are more like leaflets. This green, unripe fruit is quite mushy and uninteresting in taste and texture. The ripe fruit, however, grows long and red and becomes inedible due to its harsh flavour. The nutrients in snake gourd are plentiful and healthy. The high concentration of water in it makes it a refreshing drink to drink on a hot day. Also, it's packed with nutrients like vitamins and minerals that the body needs to carry out vital metabolic processes. Because it contains vital plant elements like carotenoids and flavonoids, it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Since it is a water-rich vegetable, eating snake gourd can help you feel cooler, it contains no cholesterol, which is good for your heart, and it has a wealth of vitamins and minerals, all of which play an important role in your body's metabolism.

This amazing plant, related to cucumbers and squash, has been shown to effectively treat fever, jaundice, and diabetes, among other ailments. This is because it contains beneficial plant chemicals including flavonoids and carotenoids, which provide it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Snake gourd juice is also effective in treating hair and scalp conditions like dandruff and bald spots.

What is snake gourd?

Snake gourd gets its name from its coiled shape and faint white stripes that resemble a snake. It is a staple ingredient in many Indian recipes, including kootu, curry, sabzi, and dal, and is typically categorised as a vegetable. The healing properties of the vegetable, as well as its seeds and leaves, are comprehensive. The snake gourd plant, including its roots and juice, can be used to treat skin and hair.

Snake gourd's has been long recognised for its therapeutic usefulness, and abundantly attested in Ayurveda writings. It is still widely used for its many medicinal purposes, including the treatment of stomach, liver, and skin ailments, as well as in the preparation of various regional dishes throughout India.

Snake gourd is native to the warmer southern areas of Australia and South-East Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal, and Indonesia.

Other names of snake gourd:

Snake gourd is known as Chichinda or Padwal in Hindi,  Chichinga in Bengali, Pudalankaai in Tamil, Potlakaaya in Telugu, and Padavalanga in Malayalam, but its scientific name is Trichosanthes cucumerina.

Nutritional value of snake gourd:

Vegetables, seeds, leaves, and juice extracts from the snake gourd are rich in a wide variety of nutrients, including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fibres, vital trace compounds like Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, minerals, and a variety of plant substances like phenolics and cucurbitacins.

Health benefits of snake gourd: 

Great for weight loss:

Those on a calorie-restricted diet, such as those with diabetes, may benefit from frequently consuming snake gourd because of its high nutrient density and low caloric load. The nutritional fibres in snake gourd are quickly absorbed by the digestive system, so it helps you feel full for longer, cuts down on food cravings, and speeds up the rate at which you burn fat.

Improves Cardiac Performance:

Snake gourd has almost no cholesterol, therefore include it in your diet on a daily basis is beneficial for your heart. Because of its ability to promote blood flow to and from the heart, this boiled vegetable is a great addition to many common handmade Indian meals.

Detoxifies Kidney

Snake gourd aids the body's excretory system in its natural removal of waste products and kidney stones. It stimulates the kidneys to secrete more fluid, which speeds up the elimination of built-up toxins and ensures that the body's internal organs are adequately hydrated. The kidneys and bladder both benefit from regular consumption of snake gourd juice.

Improves Digestion

The high fibre content of snake gourd makes it useful for avoiding digestive issues like constipation, gas, and cramps after eating a lot. In addition, it controls bowel movements due to its laxative properties, relieving stomach pain.

Enhances Respiratory Processes

The mucus and phlegm that accumulate in the respiratory tract can be easily loosened and expelled with the help of snake gourd's inherent expectorant properties. This protects against allergies and respiratory problems like asthma, which is of great benefit to lung function

Calms Nervousness and Depression

The organic amines and flavonoids found in Snake Gourd work together to protect brain and nerve cells from oxidative damage and improve nervous system functions. In addition, gallic acid, a bioactive molecule with neuroprotective and psychostimulant characteristics, is abundant in this green vegetable, helping to improve mental health by reducing symptoms of despair and anxiety.

Cures Heartburn

Because of its high water content, minimal lipids, and absence of cholesterol, snake gourd is highly effective in treating a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems. The discomfort and nausea associated with acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD are caused by the stomach acid and undigested food that flow backward in the digestive tract (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Snake gourd juice, taken on an empty stomach once day, has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of acid reflux disease (GERD), including heartburn, peptic ulcers, and the accompanying burning sensation.

Helps Reduce PCOS Symptoms

Since polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes undesirable weight gain, snake gourd is a perfect low-calorie food for women with PCOS to incorporate into their daily diet in order to maintain a healthy body weight. In addition, it is rich in B vitamins and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, all of which help to maintain healthy energy metabolism, digestion, menstrual cramps, periods, and hormone balance in women with PCOS.

Side effects of Snake Gourd:

Infections

The secret is to shop exclusively for produce that has been harvested within a few days. Old supplies can include harmful diseases and pesticide residues. They could become unsanitary if exposed to the elements for too long. Infectious pathogens may infiltrate our bodies through these openings.

Accumulate Fat

The fat content of snake gourd is relatively high. These could be an excellent low-cal, high-fat choice. But, consuming more than you need could raise your fat intake. Weight gain could result from this. Consciously managing one's calorie intake is crucial.