Karela Juice: Benefits, How to Make, Nutrition and Side Effects
Karela may be a bitter vegetable but is high in antioxidants and vitamins. Drinking Karela juice may promote better immunity.
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People are picky when deciding what to eat that is good for their health. We all are very fond of eating dishes made of paneer, aloo, bhindi, and others, but only a few enjoy karela.
Karela, or what is often called a kadwi (bitter) vegetable, is very famous in Indian cuisine. Although it’s bitter, it has properties that can positively impact your health. So, bitter is not always bad!
Surprisingly as much as kids dislike this vegetable, adults are not behind. Many of us make excuses to avoid this delicious and versatile vegetable.
Though it is tough to introduce this vegetable to kids, looking at its health benefits, it is worth a try. And the best part, you don’t only have to eat it like a sabzi, you can make a lot of dishes from it, including juice.
While Karela is an excellent source of antioxidants, drinking its juice has immense health benefits.
This article will help you discover some hidden benefits of consuming bitter gourd juice.
Everything to Know about Karela Juice
Karela belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceous and is also referred to as bitter gourd, bitter melon, and balsam pear.
A dark green-coloured vegetable and is very popular in Indian cuisine. One can make much out of Karela besides the famous Indian sabzi you can eat with Aashirvaad atta roti’s. It is one of the most versatile sabzis and can be used entirely, including its skin. Adding its leftover skin to the sabzi gives it a nice texture.
Besides the usual sabzi you eat, Karela is perfect for health if consumed as juice. Karela juice is said to have a lot of health benefits and can also make your tummy happy tummy.
You can make this juice very quickly at home and offer a glass of health to your loved ones.
Nutritional Value of Karela Juice
Per 100 grams of Karela, the below is the nutritional value one can get from drinking its juice [1]:
| Nutrients | Percentage |
| Protein | 1 |
| Carbohydrates | 3.7 |
| Total fats | 0.17 |
| Total fibre | 2.8 |
Benefits of Drinking Karela Juice
Besides being rich in antioxidants, Karela juice offers miraculous health benefits. Let’s look at some of these below:
1. Karela Juice For Digestion
Bitter gourd is a fibrous vegetable that is good for the body, especially the gut. To perform our daily activities efficiently, our body needs good gut bacteria supporting digestion.
There will be fewer episodes of constipation and even lesser stomach problems. In fact, drinking bitter gourd juice will also help regulate bowel movements.
Moreover, karela juice is said to move the digestive tract very slowly, helping in improving gut functions.
With improved digestion, your body will be capable enough to absorb all the vital nutrients through different food products [2].
2. Karela Juice For Pain and Inflammation
Bitter gourd has antioxidant properties that are great for reducing pain & inflammation in the body parts [3].
The vegetable is also rich in iron & other nutrients such as Vitamin C & potassium that help reduce joint pains. Additionally, the abundance of polyphenols (an anti-inflammatory compound) is believed to fight inflammation problems in the body.
3. Karela Juice For Skin
With its remarkable properties, bitter gourd/ karela juice is excellent for the skin and keeps it glowing [4]. It is best for blood purification and promotes health and young skin.
By drinking Karela juice, you can free yourself from skin issues like ringworms, itching, and other fungal infections. The antioxidants in bitter gourd protect the skin cell and help the body fight against skin problems.
Additionally, due to its antioxidant properties, it can also help in healing wounds quickly and effectively.
To heal wounds, mix 1 or 2 teaspoons of karela juice with some rose water. Apply it to the infected skin or wound and leave it for 2-3 hours. Wash it properly with clean water & use it again if required.
4. Bitter Gourd Juice For Immunity
Bitter gourd is full of minerals and vitamins, which our bodies need to fight infection and viruses [5]. This bitter vegetable also has antiviral properties that help in promoting better immunity.
With it being a great source of Vitamin C, it supports the body in fighting viruses and making our bodies fit and strong.
5. Bitter Gourd Juice For Weight Loss
Karela is a fibre-rich vegetable with a very low-calorie content. Being rich in fibre it makes your stomach full, reducing your cravings to eat.
Moreover, its antioxidant properties also help cut down the fat in the body, which will further help maintain weight [6]. Including Karela juice in your diet can show positive results in managing your overall weight.
6. Karela Juice For Hair Loss
The karela juice’s bitter taste can help control hair loss and remove dandruff.
You can take 1 or 2 teaspoons of the juice and mix it with coconut oil. Massage your scalp gently with this mixture and leave it for good two to three hours. Wash it normally with water and use shampoo if required.
Applying karela juice to your scalp can also prevent greying of hair and remove excess oil from it.
7. Bitter Gourd Juice For Good Cholesterol
With the help of its antioxidant properties, bitter gourd juice can help reduce bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol in the body [7].
It has specific compounds that support eliminating the excess cholesterol stored in the body.
8. Bitter Gourd Juice For Pigmentation
Karela has a lot of miraculous benefits, which are often underrated. One of its many properties is reducing hyperpigmentation.
Its antioxidant nature helps in protecting the skin from dangerous UV radiation [8].
9. Karela Juice For Detox
There is not one benefit to name for this fantastic and healthy juice. Besides the ones mentioned above, you can make this healthy drink a part of your diet for detoxification [9].
Drinking this juice empty stomach will help you purify the blood and remove any impurities or toxic substances in the body.
It also helps to overcome any hangover episodes caused due to drinking excessive alcohol.
10. Bitter Gourd Juice For Vision
Karela is also a good source of Vitamin A and beta-carotene. Our eyes need these for better vision and eyesight. You can even consult a physician to see if it can be given to children who develop eyesight issues at a very young age.
11. Karela Juice For Mood And Energy
With its abundant minerals and vitamins, this drink can greatly uplift energy and mood. Drinking this bitter gourd juice can help you stay calm and relaxed.
With no stress, you will feel happy and satisfied. Moreover, its other beneficial properties also help increase your body’s stamina and energy levels to perform its daily work.
How to Make Karela Juice at Home
Making this healthy juice at home is very simple, and you don’t need a lot of things for it. You can quickly make it with a few karelas and a blender. If you are planning to make this on a summer day, follow the steps below:
- Take some karelas and wash them properly to remove any excessive dirt.
- Chop the karelas into small pieces and discard the seeds within them.
- Add these chopped pieces to a blender and make it into a smooth, puree-like consistency.
- If you think it is thick for drinking, add some water and adjust it according to your liking.
- Strain and serve as a refreshing and healthy drink.
Add a small teaspoon of lemon juice, rock salt or honey to make it taste better. It can also be mixed with ginger, cucumber and other fruits to add flavor.
It would be great if you preferred not to keep this juice and try to drink it immediately after preparing it. For better results, it is said to drink this juice empty stomach in the morning.
If you are not mixing water while making the juice, the best way to consume it is by adding 2-3 teaspoons in almost the same quantity of water.
Bitter Gourd Juice and Its Potential Side Effects
It is a great saying that everything should be taken in moderation and not over-consumed.
Although not many side effects are noted for consuming karela juice, here are a few that should be kept in mind before drinking it often.
- If consumed in excess, bitter gourd juice can result in stomach pain and diarrhea.
- People with diabetes should always consult their doctors before starting with this juice.
- The juice may also intervene with hormonal structure and may have some impact.
- Expecting & breastfeeding mothers should also check with their doctors before drinking the juice.
- It may even react with specific medicines, so if you are on medication, it will be better to check with your doctor first.
Bottom Line
As a versatile vegetable, consuming its juice offers many potential health benefits, such as good digestion and glowing skin. The problem many of you may face is its taste which can be bitter due to its nature.
Add pear or apple while making its juice to make it taste a little better. It will reduce the bitterness and add flavor to the bitter karela juice.
FAQs
1. Is karela juice good for health?
Yes, karela juice contains a lot of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial properties that are great for overall health.
2. Is drinking karela juice good for the skin?
Karela juice has properties that help in blood purification. Blood purification helps reduce skin acne and pimples, thus promoting good and glowing skin.
3. Do you need karela plant leaves for making juice?
No, karela plant leaves are not required to make their juice. You need fully grown karelas, readily available in the market for making the juice.
4. Can drinking karela juice improve eyesight?
Karela has a good amount of Vitamin A, which is associated with good eyesight and vision.
5. Can you drink karela juice every day?
It will be recommended to consult a doctor before drinking this juice regularly. Since it may even intervene with the regular medications if you are taking any, they can guide you to the correct quantity to consume.
6. Are there any side effects of drinking karela juice?
Excess of anything can result in some side effects in the body, and it also goes for bitter gourd juice. Drinking too much can lead to stomach pain and diarrhea.
