The Ultimate Guide to Ash Gourd Juice: Recipe and Health Benefits

Ash gourd is a prominent vegetable grown mainly in Kerala, India. But this vegetable is local to Japan and Java. Ash gourd is called by different names in different languages, such as ‘Petha’ in Hindi, ‘Kumbalam’ in Malayalam, ‘Boodida Gummadi’ in Telugu, etc. Other than these, ash gourds are also famous for different names, including winter vegetable, ash pumpkin, white pumpkin, fuzzy melon, etc. They provide a high content of energy and antioxidants that promote well-being. Ash gourd is consumed in many ways; people eat it as curries, sweets are made from it, and salads as it blends easily with Indian flavors. Dietitians and nutritionists recommend ash gourd juice to treat health issues.

Further in this blog, we will discuss the benefits & side effects of ash gourd juice and the many health benefits one can derive from it.

Nutrition content of ash gourd juice: 

These minerals and vitamins make ash gourd a magical vegetable that helps treat digestive issues and stomach ulcers and cools the body.

How to Use Ash Gourds: Delicious Recipes and Ash Gourd Juice Benefits?

Ash gourds are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help fight diseases including diabetes, ulcers, and acidy. People have many questions regarding the use of ash gourd, and here are some tips:

• Ash gourds, like cucumber, carrots, and other vegetables, can be eaten raw after being cut and washed correctly. 
• Ash gourds make ice creams, jams, ketchup, cakes, and other snacks. 
• Its stem is eaten like chips in many states after washing it properly and deep frying it. 
• Petha is a prominent sweet from Agra, made from ash gourd. 
• Curries and nuggets are made from ash gourds and mixed well with Indian flavor. 
• In Ayurveda, ash gourds are used for medicinal properties. 
• It is used to treat dandruff and itchiness on the scalp.

In conclusion, ash gourds are used differently in India, but before consuming them raw or in some exceptional cases, like as medicine, one should consult a doctor and gather all the information about them. Experienced doctors and healthcare advisors know the correct way of incorporating ash gourds into the diet so they can better assist.

Ash gourd juice: making, benefits and side effects.

Ash gourd is incorporated into the diet in different ways, like carries, sweets, or nuggets, but it is one of the prominent ways that has shown its effective result on overall health. Adding ash gourd juices to the diet has been recommended by nutritionists and healthcare providers to cure gut issues, including ulcers and acidity, as it is filled with antioxidant properties and are probiotic; they provide a cooling effect to the digestive system and have effective results on the skin.

Steps to make ash gourd juice?

• Cut the vegetable into small chunks and add it to a mixer grinder. 
• Blend it properly and filter it with the help of a clean muslin cloth.
• Add some lemon juice & salt to the ash gourd juice for extra flavor. 
• One can also add mint to make it more refreshing. 
• The ash gourd juice is now ready to serve.

Our experienced nutritionist and dietician, Rukhsana Azhar, the founder and supervisor of Diet4u Wellness, advises drinking ash gourd juice on an empty stomach to reap the most benefits. Remember to have your breakfast after three hours if you are aiming to cure peptic ulcers.

Benefits of ash gourd juice:

• Maintains the balance of microbiome: Ash gourd juice is a good source of antioxidants and probiotics, too. Hence, it holds the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, which further improves digestion and promotes a healthy digestive system.
• Manages diabetes: Ash gourd juice has anti-diabetic properties that have shown effective results in treating and controlling insulin levels in the body. Its peel, when dried, has proven itself as an ayurvedic way to treat diabetes.
• Managing weight loss: Ash gourd juice has surprisingly low calories and is rich in fiber. Thus, it is a perfect option for someone who aims to manage weight.
• Works as an antacid: Ash gourd juice has shown several positive effects on the body. One of them is that it acts as an antacid and checks the pH levels in the stomach for individuals complaining about acidic issues. It also provides a cooling effect to the body, and its basic properties ensure anti-inflammatory action.
• Stress management: Ash gourd juice contains vitamin C and antioxidants that decrease retinal oxidative stress. This makes Ash Gourd a treatment for depression and anxiety and also helps with seizures.
• Dandruff cure: One primitive way to treat dandruff is to use ash gourds’ seeds with essential oils like olive oil and coconut oil, boil them well together, and apply them to dry scalps to treat dandruff and itchiness.
• Keeps hydrated: Ash gourd juice contains plenty of water. This ensures that the body is hydrated and has healthy effects on hair and skin.

Effects of Ash gourd juice on the skin:

One of the major benefits of ash gourd juice is that it has positive effects on the skin. Its water content keeps the body hydrated, which positively impacts the skin. In this era, when individuals want healthy skin and good looks, Ash Gourd works as a savior; its antioxidant properties clear the body’s waste effectively and support the skin’s well-being.

I am having ash gourd juice on an empty stomach.

Healthcare providers and dieticians recommend incorporating ash gourd juice in the stomach for more effective results. Ash gourd juice treats peptic ulcers and has medicinal value, which clears the skin and helps manage weight. Ash gourd juice on an empty stomach maintains the balance of acid content in the gut, which leads to healthy digestion and supports overall well-being. 

But, as advised by Dt. Rukhsana Azhar, the founder of Diet4u Wellness, says people should always know that anything used excessively has side effects, and ash gourds also do.

Side effects of ash gourd juice:

• Participates in forming kidney stones: Ash gourds can store calcium in the body, which ultimately contributes to the formation of kidney stones. Hence, consuming it in moderation should be remembered.
• It causes diarrhea and abdomen aches. Excessive consumption of ash gourd juices disturbs the balance of bacteria in our body, which causes pain in the abdomen.
• Causes cold and cough: Ash gourds have a high water content, so excessive use contributes to increasing Kaph formation, which leads to cold and cough.
• Disturbs the level of nutritional absorption: Ash gourds contain phytates and oxalates, which can block the layer of nutritional absorption and prevent the body from absorbing vital nutrients from the diet.

Precaution while having ash gourds:

• Consume ash gourds in moderation.
• Pregnant women should consult with their respective doctors and incorporate ash gourd under their supervision.
• Don’t consume soiled ash gourds.
• People with allergies to melons should avoid it. 
• Avoid eating ash gourds during fever and cough.

Overall, the diet we choose should always be managed under the supervision of dieticians and nutritionists because they guide us towards healthy lifestyle changes that decrease the risk of further damage.

FAQs Related Ash Gourd Juice

Q) How frequently can I consume ash gourd juice? 

Ash gourd juice can be drunk daily if you aim to lose weight; otherwise, it should be consumed in moderation.

Q)  Does an ash gourd help maintain insulin levels? 

Yes, ash gourds are helpful in treating diabetes, but you should consult a doctor before adding them to your diet. 

Q) What are some different names of ash gourds? 

Ash gourds are called by different names in different states of India, like safed kolu in Gujarat, kundur in Malay, Kumbalam in Malayalam, etc. 

Q) Does ash gourd contribute to abdominal aches? 

Yes, excessive eating of ash gourds leads to uneasiness in the abdominal.

Dietitian Rukhsana Azhar

Hello My Name is Dt. Ruksana Azhar and I am a certified dietician and providing online & offline services for Weight Management, PCOS/PCOD Management, Diabetes Management ,  etc. I have 12+ years of experience in the Apollo Hospital Delhi , Max Super Specialty Hospital Delhi, Lilavati Hospital Mumbai and VLCC healthcare Mumbai. I  loves to write healthcare and lifestyle related blog. My favorite part of being a doctor is the opportunity to directly improve the health and wellbeing of my patients and to develop professional and personal relationships with them.