Ash Gourd Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
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Table of Contents
The Ash gourd plant is an annual trailing vine. It is scientifically known as Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) and belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. It has a unique melon like-fruit that is often eaten for its medicinal and functional properties. Ash gourd plant grows in warm, humid tropical climates and is cultivated in countires of South East Asia, including India, Japan, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan.1,2
Did you know that the ash gourd fruit got its name from the colour of its skin; which is Ash, and the waxy shine on the skin; hence, it is also called Wax Gourd. It is mainly grown in the rainy season and people also call it the Winter melon. In ancient medicial systems, the Ayurvedic preparation of ash gourd, known as ‘Kushmanda’ in Sanskrit, was thought to have medicinal properties. The most famous sweet, ‘Agra ka Petha’, is also prepared using the ripened ash gourd fruit soaked in sugar syrup. There are several other names for ash gourd that you might have heard of; it is named Donggua in (Chinese), Beligo in (Indonesia), White gourd, White pumpkin or Ash pumpkin, etc. 1,2
Let’s read more about the beneficial properties and potential uses of this Ayurvedic ash gourd juice.
The essential nutrients of ash gourd fruit are proteins, flavonoids, carotenes, vitamins, minerals, volatile oils, etc. Ash gourd fruit is majorly composed of 96% water; the reaming nutrients are as follows:1,3
Based on my experience, I have come across research suggesting that Ash gourd may have a potential protective effect on Alzheimer’s disease. Ash gourd showed promise in protecting neurons against oxidative stress, which is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This protective effect could be attributed to the presence of vitamin E and β-carotene in Ash gourd, which helps counteract oxidative damage.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Also Read: Carrot Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Ash gourd fruit is a common vegetable that might have nutritional and medicinal properties. The bioactive nutrients might show potential benefits in various chronic diseases.3 The properties of ash gourd juice are:
Also Read: Lemon Water: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Over the years, I have come across research suggesting that Ash gourd may have an anti-compulsive effect. An anti-compulsive effect refers to the ability of a substance or treatment to reduce or alleviate compulsive behaviours. This effect could be attributed to the presence of tryptophan in Ash gourd, which is believed to enhance the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and behaviour.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Ash gourd might be used as functional food; all parts of the fruit seem to have beneficial properties as seen in certain studies.3,4 However, how helpful these are for humans needs to be seen by larger studies.
The potential uses of ash gourd juice are described as follows:
Ash gourd juice is low in calories and carbohydrates with no fat content. It might be a great choice for patients with diabetes due to this nutrient profile. The pulp of the fruit might have anti-diabetic properties contributed by various nutrients. When mixed with honey, the dried powder of the peel of the fruit may help lower blood sugar levels.
A human study conducted by Majumdar et al. (2010) observed that ash gourd juice helps reduce blood glucose levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. However, more studies are required to present the benefits of ash gourd juice for diabetes.1,2,
The various properties of ash gourd juice might help in weight loss management. As we know, ash gourd juice is low in calories and fats and thus it may be beneficial to people who want to lose weight. The lipid-lowering properties and high content of dietary fibre of ash gourd juice might help decrease serum cholesterol and lipid levels which may help lower body fat.
A literature review by Waidyarathna et al. (2020) suggests that if you use ground peeled raw ash gourd fruits and seeds with an equal amount of water and some salt, it might be helpful to lose weight quickly. 1,2,4 Although this information is insufficient and requires more studies.
The health benefits of ash gourd juice might positively affect people suffering from peptic ulcers (related to the digestive tract and stomach). Ash gourd juice is prepared by shredding the fruit and mixing it with water. Drinking ash gourd juice on an empty stomach might be helpful in peptic ulcers; after having the juice, one should avoid having food for at least three hours. As per the Ayurveda medicine system, ash gourd has been referenced to as a valuable medicine for peptic ulcers. 2 This information is age-old and insufficient; therefore large-scale human studies are necessary to confirm these benefits.
The benefits of ash gourd juice are associated with its skin-benefitting properties. The fruit extract is used to prepare face cream; it might be useful and effective in delaying the deterioration of skin cells with age. A study undertaken by Huang et al. (2004) showed that some compounds of the fruit (pulp, peel, seeds) contribute to its antioxidant activity, which may fight ageing-inducing free radicles. It might also decrease oxidative damage and manage the effect of degradation of skin cells. 4 More studies are required to confirm the beneficial effect of ash gourd juice on skin.
Although some studies show the benefits of ash gourd juice in various conditions, these pieces of information are insufficient. Therefore, more studies are required to confirm the benefits of ash gourd juice on human health. Hence, you should always consult a doctor before using ash gourd juice for any medical condition.
In my experience, I have observed that Ash gourd extract has shown effectiveness in reducing allergic inflammation. These effects may be attributed to certain compounds present in ash gourd that help to alleviate inflammation.
Dr. Smita Barode, BAMS, M.S.
Also Read: Beetroot Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Ash gourd juice contains the significant nutrients essential for maintaining good health.1 It can be used in the following ways:
Before consuming ash gourd fruit or juice, it is better to take the advice of a qualified doctor. They will be the best person to prescribe you the correct way to use it.
The side effects of ash guard juice are as follows:
However, if you experience any harmful reaction, immediately contact an Ayurvedic doctor and get appropriate treatment.
Ash gourd is considered safe if it is taken in minimal dosages. However, precautions have to be followed while having ash gourd juice.
We advise you to consult an Ayurvedic physician who will recommend you a safer dosage form.
There is not enough information. However, it is recommended that ash gourd juice should not be taken orally along with any mineral drugs.4
It is always best to follow the advice of an Ayurvedic physician who will guide and prescribe you a better way to make use of this herbal juice.
Also Read: Star Fruit: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Other vernacular names for ash gourd are Kundur in (Malay), Safed Kolu in (Gujarati), Neer oosanikai in (Tamil), Kumbalam in (Malayalam), Boodida gummadikaaya in (Telugu), Boodu gumbala in (Kannada) and Alupuhul in (Sinhalese).1,3,4
Ash gourd juice contains essential minerals necessary for performing vital functioning and maintaining water balance in the body; sodium might help to maintain body fluid balance, whereas calcium and potassium might maintain healthy blood pressure. Iron helps to transport oxygen to the brain, zinc nourishes the body, and manganese performs cellular activities.1
The dental benefits of ash gourd juice may be involved in managing teeth and gum health. Using ash gourd juice daily for mouth gargling might maintain your teeth and decrease bleeding gums. 2 However, one should consult a doctor before using ash gourd juice for dental health.
The benefits of drinking ash gourd juice might be helpful in weight loss management due to its low calories. However, this information is insufficient to claim the beneficial effect of ash gourd juice. Hence, more studies are needed.1,2
Yes. Ash gourd juice may have antacid properties that might regulate the acidity in the stomach. People might use ash gourd juice for acidity; boiling it with cow’s milk may help relieve hyperacidity. However, you should consult an Ayurvedic doctor before using it to control acidity.1,4
1. Gupta P, Chikkala S, Kundu P. Ash gourd and its applications in the food, pharmacological and biomedical industries. Inter J of Veg Sci. 2019 Dec;27(1):44–53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2019.1699222
2. Pradhan K, Nandi A, Rout S, Tripathy B. Ash gourd-an under exploited potential crop. DRSR J. 2020 June;10(6):142-151. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kalyani-Pradhan/publication/342591922_ASH_GOURD-AN_UNDEREXPLOITED_POTENTIAL_CROP/links/UNDEREXPLOITED-POTENTIAL-CROP.pdf
3. Doharey V, Kumar M, Kumar Upadhyay S, Singh R, Kumari B. Pharmacognostical, Physicochemical And Pharmaceutical Paradigm Of Ash Gourd, Benincasa Hispida (Thunb.) Fruit. Plant Archives. 2021 Jan;21:249–52. Available from: http://plantarchives.org/SPECIAL
4. Waidyarathna S, Ediriweera E. Therapeutic and culinary uses of Benincasa hispida (Alupuhul). J Convent Knowl Holist Health. 2020 Nov;4(01):1–6. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347563996_Therapeutic_and_culinary_uses_of_Benincasa_hispida_Alupuhul
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Very interesting articles for health benefits