Sitting all day in one place doesn't exactly make you fit! With no time to fit exercise into my schedule, I had put on a whopping 5 kg in just 15 days, adding to my pre-existing bulges. While trying to figure out some healthy things to add to my weight-loss diet, I could not find one drink that could be a part of my morning ritual. An expert in keeping her weight in check, my mother suggested I drink a glass of bottle gourd juice first thing in the morning. She recommended that it would suppress my appetite and help me lose weight. While it worked for me, let's find out if using bottle gourd for weight loss is a good idea or not!

Bottle gourd for weight loss: Does it work?

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 8 people in the world lives with obesity, and the number has doubled since 1990. The best way to keep your weight in check and avoid complications is to eat healthy and exercise. Eating a diet rich in healthy vegetables and fruits is important to keep your weight in check. Once such vegetable is bottle gourd.

Commonly known as ghiya or lauki, bottle gourd is a green vegetable that is mostly water and is low in calories. A study published in the Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics found that bottle gourd contains iron, vitamins, and potassium, and can help you reduce weight. It is also rich in dietary fibre, which can also help you lose weight. It is also low in fat and cholesterol, which can help you shed the extra kilos.

"Bottle gourd contains 96 percent water, which helps keep your body hydrated and improves your metabolism. It improves your digestion and makes you feel full the entire day so that you do not crave more calories and that way it helps in controlling calorie intake in your body," explains Ayurveda expert Dr Chanchal Sharma.

How to add bottle gourd to your weight loss diet?

While there are several ways to add bottle gourd to your diet, the best way is to drink its juice. Here's a quick recipe you can try:

Bottle gourd juice recipe

• Step 1: Peel off the upper skin and chop it into small pieces
• Step 2: Put the pieces into the blender to make juice
• Step 3: You can add some water if the consistency of the juice is too thick, but avoid adding too much

The best time to drink bottle gourd juice for weight loss

If you want to lose weight, the best time to drink it is in the morning. Drinking it on an empty stomach can be extremely beneficial, says Dr Sharma. Bottle gourd contains bioactive compounds that can be absorbed easily in that case, and it will be very effective in losing weight. It also contains iron and potassium, which are very nutritious for your body, says the expert. Not just weight loss, bottle gourd juice is considered a good remedy for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, urinary problems, depression, liver diseases, and more, as per a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research.

Who should avoid bottle gourd?

While it is considered healthy, bottle gourd might not be suitable for certain people. There is not much information available regarding its safety for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. People with allergies to bottle gourd should also avoid including this vegetable in their weight-loss diet. Consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet to avoid complications.

Are there any side effects of bottle gourd?

Having anything in moderation does not lead to problems, but too much of anything can lead to problems. If you want to include it in the form of juice, make sure you are drinking a balanced amount. Dr Sharma says that when consumed in excess, bottle gourd can lead to adverse effects such as itching, nausea, swelling, bloating, and diarrhea.

The best way to check whether it would suit you or not is to take it in small amounts. If you experience even the slightest side effects and experience discomfort, include it in your diet.

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