Bitter Gourd is a member of the same family as cucumbers. True to its name it really does have a bitter taste. Although, the bitterness can be reduced by soaking the vegetable in salt water overnight or boiling in water for about 15 minutes and then discarding the water. If you have a sweet tooth, the bitterness might turn you off. So, we urge you to consider breaking through the taste boundary and giving it a go to benefit from its disease preventing and health promoting phytochemical compounds.
We think it’s best enjoyed in a Sri Lankan curry.
What’s so healthy about Bitter Gourd?
- Aside of being ridiculously low in calories (just 17 per 100g), it has a ton of other benefits.
- 100g provides 140% of your Vitamin C RDA. Anti-oxidant heaven!
- Phytonutrients help to lower blood sugar levels and can help with type-2 diabetes.
- It stimulates digestion.
- It offers a good source of Vitamin B, Vitamin A and foliates to support early pregnancy.
- It has trace minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and manganese