Ash Gourd Juice Benefits: The Miracle Drink for Weight Loss and Detox

All of us might have come across, and perhaps many of us enjoy eating “Agra ka petha.”

But have you ever thought about what nutrition the fruit it is prepared from, the ash gourd, could have had to offer?

Ash gourd is also referred to as petha, winter melon, wax gourd, Chinese watermelon, white pumpkin, and Kushmanda.

In the following article, we’ll see the various ways through which ash gourd juice is of importance to human health.

The juice of ash gourd has been known since ancient times, and it has been used as a food and remedy in some Asian countries.

Keep reading to learn about the probable advantages of drinking ash gourd juice and how it will affect the body.

10 Ash Gourd Juice Benefits

Ash gourd has many nutritional and medicinal benefits to the human body. It has a very high water content and is a source of some of the vitamins (C and B1) needed in the body ^[1].

Apart from this, it has numerous bioactive compounds, phenols, flavonoids, and dietary fibres that may contribute to the preservation of health ^[2].

These beneficial components not only enhance our health but also make ash gourds a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Below, we have outlined a detailed nutritional table that discusses the specific nutrients found in ash gourds, highlighting their role in promoting well-being.

Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are equally essential in anybody’s diet because they have healing qualities.

If you are interested in a natural, simple solution to a good diet plan, here are the nutritional and wellness benefits of ash gourd juice.

1. Ash Gourd Juice for Diabetes Management ^[4]

• Research suggests that ash gourd juice may likely support the management of diabetes. In a clinical study of type 2 diabetic patients, a reduction of glucose levels by about 42% was observed after they had been given the juice for 21 days ^[5].
• It also contains moisture, proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fibres. It is surprisingly a low-calorie food and may help regulate blood sugar.
• The ash gourd flavonoids phytochemicals may enhance glucose metabolisation, which may be helpful in diabetes management. 
• Also, the juice could help regulate the lipid profile in people with diabetes and facilitate the management of heart conditions often associated with it by arresting further conversion of sugars into fat ^[6]. 

Point to Consider:  Since ash gourd juice may possess blood sugar-lowering effects, there is a possibility of experiencing hypoglycemia if consumed in large quantities or on a regular basis. Therefore, it is essential to consult with your registered dietitian or a healthcare provider before consuming ash gourd or incorporating it into your diet.

2. Healthy Digestion ^[7]

• It is common knowledge that juice from an ash gourd is lighter and more hydrating, which could lead to better digestion.
• It might also help with the secretion of gastric juice in the stomach, which is essential for digestion. Sometimes, eating raw fruits, raw vegetables, or drinking juice on an empty stomach can make your stomach uncomfortable or might cause other gastrointestinal problems. If this happens to you, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor or healthcare professional.
• The ash gourd drink may help regulate the pH level in the stomach, which could help counteract acidity from certain foods. This property may help those who have occasional problems with digestion, acidity, or other sorts of digestive issues ^[8].
• In the same respect, ash gourd is a good source of dietary fibre, which is 3.37 g for every 100 g  ^[9]. Hence, it may slow down the rate at which food is processed in the body and promote gut health.

In order to get the required fibre for your body, try Aashirvaad Atta with Multigrains. It comes with the benefit of six grains; even three rotis made from this atta would provide 35% of your daily fibre intake.

Choose a healthy meal that also has a great taste with Aashirvaad Atta with Multigrains because better digestion begins with better ingredients.

3. The Role of Ash Gourd Juice as a Prebiotic Source ^[10]

• Ash gourd drink may provide prebiotic compounds, which are carbohydrates that aid beneficial bacteria in the gut.
• This may aid digestion, which contributes to good nutrient absorption within the digestive tract.
• These good bacteria enhanced through prebiotics may also help the body in its immune response, aid the body in fighting other pathogenic microorganisms, and maintain good health in various ways.
• The chemical composition of ash gourd might facilitate the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the large intestine, which are beneficial to the gut.

4. Antioxidant Properties ^[11]

• Ash gourd juice might have antioxidant activity, particularly in the liver and stomach ^[12].
• It is also rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which might protect the body against systems linked to oxidative stress ^[13].
• It is also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and carotenes, with many health-promoting properties.
• Apart from being a storehouse of antioxidants, ash gourd is packed with proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and trace elements. These are all crucial for optimum nutrition that enables our body to function properly.

5. Benefits of Ash Gourd Juice for Healthy Skin ^[14]

• It must be noted that hydrated skin is healthier skin, so this may be why ash gourd drink is healthy for skin maintenance.
• As the ash gourd contains lots of water and antioxidants, the regular consumption of the juice might have the potential to help you maintain hydrated and healthy skin, shielding it from harm by free radicals.
• Ash gourd juice is not the only way to have healthy and hydrated skin. However, you may include it in small amounts as part of a balanced diet, along with water and other fluids.

6. Anti-inflammatory Characteristics ^[15]

• Inflammation is associated with various diseases, and ash gourd drink could likely promote healthy reactions in such a process.
• Just like all diseases and injuries, any swellings require a good immune system to fight during that time. Furthermore, chronic inflammation might lead to metabolic conditions of the heart, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties, ash gourd may be beneficial in addressing these long-term concerns.
• Ash gourd juice might also help manage inflammation in blood vessels, which could benefit people with diabetes and support heart health.
• Changes in certain blood markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratio) related to swelling have been observed with ash gourd consumption, indicating it might help manage them ^[16].

7. Ash Gourd Juice for Kidney Health ^[17]

• When blood flow to the kidneys is lowered, it may impact their ability to work properly. It might also result in higher levels of substances like creatinine, urea, and uric acid in the blood.
• Healthy kidneys usually filter out these substances. Kushmanda, also called ash gourd, has diuretic and nephroprotective properties. It contains a natural compound called mannitol, which may help the body produce more urine ^[18]. Hence, adding ash gourd drink to your diet may be beneficial for maintaining healthy kidneys.
• This may help remove toxins and unwanted substances from the body regularly.

8. Ash Gourd Juice for Weight Management ^[19]

• Ash gourd juice is low in calories, making it suitable for those monitoring their dietary intake.
• The juice is high in moisture and dietary fibre, which may support appetite control and promote a more prolonged feeling of fullness.
• Regular consumption of ash gourd juice has been linked to favourable changes in body measurements, such as BMI and waist-hip ratio.
• Significant reductions in skinfold thickness suggest that drinking ash gourd drink may be linked to healthier body composition.
• Ash gourds contain several bioactive compounds and antioxidants that may contribute to overall metabolic health and well-being, which might ultimately support weight management.
• Thus, incorporating ash gourd juice into a balanced diet may enhance nutritional quality and maintain a healthy body weight.

10. Ash Gourd Juice for Heart Health ^[20]

• It is also believed that consuming ash gourd drink may help maintain cholesterol levels as it promotes the level of HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol, in the blood.
• Ash gourd juice contains a compound called Triterpene TTA, which might protect cells from damage. This protection could help manage heart conditions, especially for those with diabetes or ailments related to unhealthy fat levels in the blood.

Additional Ash Gourd Juice Health Benefits

1. Traditionally, ash gourd has been used as an antibiotic, helping manage conditions like coughs and fevers ^[21].
2. The juice may help balance the body’s response to stress and stress-related disorders, which is important to support normal body functions ^[22].
3. Consuming ash gourds might maintain pH by improving the alkalinity of urine ^[23].
4. The therapeutic application of ash gourd fruit juice also benefits a healthy scalp. Its cooling properties may soothe an irritated scalp and help eliminate the fungus that causes dandruff ^[24].
5. Hyperlipidemia (high lipid levels in the blood) is a metabolism disorder that may promote diabetes and heart conditions. In some cultures, ash gourd is used to help manage these conditions ^[25].
6. Drinking ash gourd juice might be associated with healthy changes in body measurements, such as body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio ^[26]. However, just keep in mind that adding extra sugar while juicing may affect the calorie content and how your body responds to the juice.

Fibre is also thought to have potential benefits when it comes to weight regulation, BMI, and maintaining good digestive health ^{[27] [28]}.

But how well is your digestive system working? It’s vital to know how efficiently the body metabolises and uses nutrients to boost its performance.

Thus, you can know this using the Aashirvaad Digestive Quotient test. This interactive tool evaluates your digestive capabilities.

From this, you can draw conclusions and, if necessary, change something to improve your gut and eating patterns.

How to Make the Best Ash Gourd Juice?

Preparing ash gourd juice is easy, and you can choose how to consume it. Below is the easy preparation method you can tailor to your taste preferences.

Preparation Steps

• Wash and peel the ash gourd.
• Remove the seeds and cut them into small pieces.
• Blend the pieces into a puree and strain for a clear juice.
• You may add optional flavour enhancers such as lemon juice, black pepper, or a pinch of salt, according to your taste.

Note: Straining juice can make you lose some nutrients. To preserve as many nutrients as possible, strain the juice using a fine muslin cloth or a mesh sieve. After straining, you can also add 1-2 teaspoons of pulp back into the juice. Drink the juice right away; don’t store it for a longer period of time. It’s best to prepare the fresh juice when you want to drink it.

Tips for Consumption

• 220 ml of fresh juice can be mixed with 30 ml of water ^[29].
• Drink ash gourd juice fresh and on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Avoid adding sugar to maintain its health benefits.

Note: Eating raw fruits and vegetables or drinking juice on an empty stomach can sometimes upset the stomach or cause other digestive problems. If this happens to you, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor.

Points to Remember ^[30]

• Ash gourd juice is colourless and tasteless, suitable for mixing with other tropical-hued fruit juices.
• Adding these juices to this beverage improves its appearance, taste, and nutritional value and aids in increasing its shelf life.
• To summarise, ash gourd juice is an ingredient you can take with almost any food and drink.

Everyone needs to consume the right foods to maintain their health; however, are you certain that the foods you are taking contain the necessary nutrients, including fibre?

Fibre is essential in the healthy digestion process and our well-being in general, yet it is overlooked on our plates.

That is why Aashirvaad has created the ‘My Meal Plan’ Test, which lets you check your fibre intake and make a meal plan with all the nutrients you need.

Benefits of drinking ash gourd juice daily for the skin

Ash gourd juice may help improve skin health because of its water content and vitamin C. It also has antioxidants that could help against the impending onset of oxidative stress on the skin.

Efficacy might be different from one person to the other, and it’s advised that one should take them together with a healthy diet.

You can drink ash gourd juice daily, but it’s important to pay attention to your portion. Try not to consume in excess to avoid any possible side effects.

Best time to drink ash gourd juice

You can have ash gourd juice at any time of the day during your meals. However, many people like to have it on an empty stomach, which isn’t the best idea.

Eating raw fruits and vegetables or drinking juice without any food first can sometimes upset your stomach or cause other tummy or gastrointestinal troubles.

Conclusion

Ash gourd juice can, therefore, be regarded as a natural remedy for modern-day living. As mentioned, it is involved in hydration, digestion, heart and renal health and has many potential uses.

Still, it is important to note that, like all health supplements, moderation and doses play a crucial role.

If a person is experiencing discomfort or desiring a change in their diet plan, it is probably the best time to consult a nutritionist and seek professional advice.

Also, it is important to note that it can only benefit you when taken together with a healthy nutrition program of good foods and fluids.

FAQs