Health Benefits of Lauki or Doodhi | Benefits of Bottle Gourd

Culinary Applications of Bottle Gourd or Ghiya

1. Ghiya is used most often as cooked. When young it can be utilized with skin on or when more mature the skin can be removed for a more tender texture.
2. In India, it is used by itself or mixed with lentils for super-nutritious curries and sweets.
3. Overseas, ghiya is popularly added to soups, stews and stir-fries or grated and used in batter for quick bread and fritters.

A popular north Indian dish is lauki channa, (channa dal and diced gourd in a semi-dry gravy). In the state of Maharashtra in India, a similar preparation called dudhi channa is popular.

The peel of the vegetable is used in making a dry spicy chutney preparation (recipe below). It is consumed in Assam with fish curries, as boiled vegetable curry and also fried with potato and tomatoes.

Lauki kheer (grated bottle gourd, sugar and milk preparation) is a dessert from Telangana, usually prepared for festive occasions.

To incorporate ghiya in food, simply peel the bottle gourd, cut it into half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and spongy interior using a paring knife. Discard the flesh because it turns mushy when cooked. However, you can also use it to make a spicy bottle gourd peel chutney.

Health Benefits of Ghiya, Doodhi or Bottle Gourd

Health benefits of lauki or bottle gourd include having an enormous impact on the treatment of high blood pressure and heart disease.

1. Health benefits of lauki in cooling your body – Bottle gourd juice has a cooling effect on your body and keeps your body hydrated especially during summers. It keeps your stomach cool and reduces body heat.
2. Health benefits of bottle gourd as an anti-oxidant, it is rich in nutrients – Lauki in your diet to replenishes the body with essential nutrients and fibres. It is low in saturated fats and cholesterol, and rich in nutrients such as riboflavin, zinc, iron, magnesium, Vitamin C, etc. It also has anti-oxidation properties along with Vitamin B and C.
3. Health benefits of doodhi beneficial for the heart – Lauki is also very beneficial for your heart. Drinking its juice at least thrice every week will help you in maintaining a healthy heart. It also keeps a check on your blood pressure.
4. Health benefits of ghiya help for a healthy digestive system – Bottle Gourd is a common medicine for disturbed digestion. Eating Bottle Gourd on a regular basis helps improve digestion and keep the digestive system on a healthy track. This is owing to its nutritious dietary fibres.
5. Health benefits of ghiya check diabetes – Another and major health benefits of lauki is its impact on diabetics. The glycemic index of bottle gourd is 15, which is low. This means that bottle gourd releases sugar into the blood at a much slower rate and hence helps check diabetes.
   
6. Health benefits of lauki as an alkalizing diuretic – Lauki supports the kidneys and the urinary system of our body by reducing burning sensation from high acidic urination. It also reduces the chances of urinary infection because it is alkalizing and has a diuretic effect.
7. Health benefits of ghiya for relieving stress – Lauki juice contains the highest amount of choline, a neurotransmitter, than any other vegetable. It is loaded with vitamins, amino acids and minerals that help in the synthesis of neurotransmitters that in turn help in the proper functioning of the brain cells and thus, prevent mental disorders like stress and depression. One of the major health benefits of lauki.