Bottle Gourd (Lauki) And It's Juice During Pregnancy - Health Benefits And Juice Recipe

Bottle Gourd (Calabash) During Pregnancy - Health Benefits, Ways To Include It In Diet

Bottle Gourd is a very nutritious vegetable, and its consumption is highly beneficial for health. It is packed with several nutrients which are required to maintain good health. It is a good source of energy, carbohydrates, potassium, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, folate, and many more. That's why bottle gourd is considered one of the healthiest veggies. However, if you're pregnant and wondering whether the consumption of bottle gourd is safe for you during pregnancy or not?

We're here with all the aspects related to the consumption of bottle gourd during pregnancy. Read this article to know all about having a bottle gourd while pregnant.

Health Benefits of Bottle Gourd During Pregnancy

Bottle Gourd offers numerous benefits to the expectant mother and her little one. Some of the fantastic health benefits provided by bottle gourd during pregnancy are:

1. Keep you Hydrated

Bottle Gourd is packed with a lot of water and minerals, thus helping to keep you hydrated during pregnancy. Staying hydrated during pregnancy is essential to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

2. Strengthen Immune System

Bottle Gourd is an excellent source of essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, vitamins, and many more. All these nutrients are required for a healthy pregnancy as bottle gourd is a nutrient-rich veggie, so the consumption of bottle gourd during pregnancy helps to strengthen your immune system.

(Also read: Peanut Butter During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?)

3. Regulates Bowel Movement

This veggie is an excellent fiber source that helps keep constipation and hemorrhoids at bay, which are common complications most pregnant women face. In addition, the consumption of bottle gourd during pregnancy helps regulate bowel movement and improves gut health, which keeps your digestive tract healthy.

4. Reduce Heartburn

Bottle Gourd is alkaline; thus, bottle gourd in pregnancy help to balance acidity and also reduces heartburn, a common problem associated with pregnancy.

5. Rich in Antioxidants

Bottle Gourd is an excellent source of antioxidants that help to keep your skin cells healthy. Pregnant women are more prone to various infections and diseases. Consumption of bottle gourd help to fight infections. It contains antioxidants such as vitamin C that keep infections and diseases at bay.

6. Prevent Fatigue

Bottle Gourd contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which help keep the body's fluid balance. These minerals also help to prevent fatigue during pregnancy.

(Also read: Consuming Milk During Pregnancy )

7. Healthy Weight Gain

Bottle Gourd contains almost 96% of water. The low-calorie and high water content of bottle gourd help to restore water levels in your body and keep you full for a longer time. It helps keep your hunger pangs under control and prevents you from consuming unhealthy or junk foods.

8. Treat Headache

The seeds of bottle gourd are known to treat headaches, especially those that accompany morning sickness while pregnant.

Nutritional Value of Bottle Gourd

100 g of bottle gourd contain the following nutrients:

Nutrient Value of Raw And Fresh Bitter Gourd (Bitter Melon) per 100 g

Principle	Nutrient Value
Energy	14 kcal
Carbohydrates	3.39 g
Protein	0.62 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Dietary Fiber	0.5 g
Fat	0.02 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A	16 IU
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	0.029 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.022 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	0.320 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)	0.152 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)	0.040 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folates)	6 µg
Vitamin C	10.1 mg
Minerals
Calcium	26 mg
Iron	0.20 mg
Copper	0.034 mg
Magnesium	11 mg
Manganese	0.089 mg
Selenium	0.2 mg
Phosphorus	13 mg
Zinc	0.70 mg
Electrolytes
Sodium	2 mg
Potassium	150 mg

Bottle Gourd Juice Recipe

The bottle gourd juice recipe is very simple and easy. Drinking bottle gourd juice is highly beneficial for health. Here is a simple bottle gourd recipe:

-> Wash and clean the bottle gourd under running water to prevent any contamination.



-> Peel it and remove its seeds.



-> Now cut it into small chunks.



-> Put these chunks in a blender with half a teacup of water.



-> To enhance its taste, add amla, ginger, or mint leaves with bottle gourd pieces.



-> Blend all these ingredients.



-> Add a pinch of rock salt and some ice cubes to it.



-> Now your bottle gourd juice is ready to drink.

So, by following these simple steps you can make bottle gourd juice in a few minutes but always remember to consume it fresh.

Health Benefits of Bottle Gourd Juice During Pregnancy

Some of the wonderful health benefits offered by bottle gourd juice during pregnancy are:

1. Good for Digestion

The consumption of bottle gourd juice is good for digestion. It helps cure constipation and is a natural remedy to treat diarrhea. The high fiber and water content of bottle gourd juice cleanse your digestive tract and regulate easy bowel movements.  

2. Healthy Weight

Bottle gourd juice is low in calories, contains no fat, and is high in fiber. The high fiber content of bottle gourd helps keep you full for a longer time, keeps your hunger pangs under control, and prevents you from eating unhealthy foods, thereby helping you gain a healthy weight during pregnancy.

(Also read: Oats During Pregnancy - Is It Safe?)

3. Reduces Body Heat

Our body tends to sweat a lot during summer. Drinking bottle gourd juice regularly helps to replenish the water loss. It has a cooling effect on your body and keeps it hydrated. In addition, this juice is well known to cure heart-related ailments such as nose bleeding, ulcers, or pimples.

4. Good for Heart Health

Bottle Gourd Juice contains zinc which helps to lower the LDL levels or bad cholesterol and increases HDL or good cholesterol. Drinking bottle gourd juice regularly helps to maintain healthy heart functions.

5. Relieve Stress And Depression

Bottle Gourd juice contains choline, a type of neurotransmitter that helps in improving brain functions and also helps to prevent stress and depression.

(Also read: Benefits And Side Effects Of Eating Beetroots During Pregnancy)

6. Treat Urinary Tract Infections

Consuming freshly squeezed bottle gourd juice helps to cure urinary tract infections. This juice has diuretic action on the body, which helps flush out toxins and pathogens, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.

Side Effects of Bottle Gourd Juice During Pregnancy

Some of the side effects caused due to the consumption of bottle gourd juice during pregnancy are: 

1. Highly Toxic When Bitter

If bottle gourd juice tastes bitter, consuming it may be highly toxic to your body, and it can cause several complications such as nausea, diarrhea, discomfort, vomiting, or any feeling of uneasiness. So, must check the taste of bottle gourd juice before consuming it.

2. Hypoglycemia

Consuming an excess amount of bottle gourd juice can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

(Also read: Chia Seeds During Pregnancy)

3. Allergic Reactions

Drinking bottle gourd juice may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

4. Gastrointestinal Problems

Drinking bitter bottle gourd juice may lead to various gastrointestinal problems. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

1. Is it safe to eat Bottle Gourd during pregnancy?

Bottle gourd is safe to eat during pregnancy. It provides numerous benefits to the pregnant woman and her growing baby due to its nutritional content. Including bottle gourds in your pregnancy diet is a good idea. 

2. How to include bottle gourd in your pregnancy diet?

You can have a bottle gourd in the form of a sweet, juice, or cooked vegetable dish during pregnancy.

 

Bottle Gourd is considered one of the healthiest food choices during pregnancy due to its nutritional value. It is a powerhouse of vital nutrients crucial for the expectant mother and her growing baby.

Pregnancy is a delicate phase, and you need to be cautious about whatever you eat or drink during this time. You need to eat a healthy and well nutritious diet to nourish your baby and maintain your health as well. So, it's best to consult your doctor before changing your pregnancy diet or including any new food in your diet.

Hope this article helped you a lot. Wishing you a very happy, safe, and healthy pregnancy.

Also, read other pregnancy-related articles:

• Benefits of eating Cabbage during pregnancy

• Eating Broccoli During Pregnancy - Health Benefits And Risks

• Benefits of Spring Onions During Pregnancy

• Sweet Potatoes during early pregnancy
  

• Bell Pepper (Capsicum) During Pregnancy
  

• Bitter Gourd (Bitter Melon) During Pregnancy - Safe Or Unsafe?
  

Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. The given content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or any diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for more information. Our website doesn't claim responsibility for this information.