Most of you are surely aware of what ash gourd or winter melon is. Popularly referred to as ‘petha’ in Hindi, it is a seasonal vegetable, widely used to prepare a popular Indian sweet in the name (petha). But did you know that ash gourd is also used to make sabzis and chutneys, especially in the Eastern and Southern regions of India? That’s not all. It is consumed as a health food too. You heard us. Ash gourd is packed with various healthy ingredients that make it a very common seasonal food used in various detox drinks, juices, and more. Here, we will talk about ash gourd water that makes for a perfect drink to cleanse your body.
What Is Ash Gourd Water? What Makes It A Popular Health Drink?
Now, you must be wondering what ash gourd water is. It is the juice of raw ash gourd that contains 96% water in it. It super hydrating that helps you maintain the fluid level in the body and also prevents your body from risks of dehydration and dryness.
According to Deepti Tiwari, the consultant dietetics of CK Birla Hospital, petha or ash gourd is low in calories and contains a good amount of soluble fibres, vitamin B2, vitamin C, flavonoids, and more and “helps you with overall nourishment”. She further explains that the vegetable is great for your energy levels because of its riboflavin content, “which facilitates the activity of thyroid gland and stress hormones”. All of these come together to make the vegetable and its water a perfect cleanser for your overall health. Let’s elucidate further.
Also Read: What Is Winter Melon? What Does It Taste Like? Health Benefits Of Winter Melon
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Benefits Of Ash Gourd Water: 5 Reasons To Drink Ash Gourd Water:
1. Helps you detox:
As mentioned, ash gourd contains a good amount of vitamin C and 96% water. This makes the vegetable and the drink antioxidant-rich, further flushing out excess toxins from the body.
2. Helps you manage weight:
Ash gourd contains soluble fibres, which not only keep you full for a long but also aid weight management during the winters. So drinking water every morning helps give your day a good start and eliminates the stored fat in the body.
3. Helps cleanse gut:
We all know a healthy gut is the first step towards a healthy body. Including the drink may help aid metabolism and digestion, which often get affected during the winter season.
4. Helps promote immunity:
The antioxidants and vitamins A and C help prevent oxidative stress in the body, further aiding the blood and oxygen flow. This helps fortify the body with nutrients to nourish and prevent seasonal diseases.
5. Helps with smooth body functioning:
Ash gourd helps keep your stress hormones in check, manages body weight, cleanses the gut, flushes out toxins, and more. All these factors come together for the smooth functioning of your body, including managing blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and more.
Can You Drink Ash Gourd Water Every Day? What Is The Right Dosage Of Ash Gourd Water?
Macrobiotic nutritionist and Health Coach Shilpa Arora states that drinking ash gourd water every morning acts as a sponge and cleanses your body of toxins while being super cool and calming on the tummy. But you need to be mindful about how much you are drinking in a day. The best practice is to keep it in moderation and drink not more than a glass a day.
How To Make Ash Gourd Water To Drink In The Morning:
Step 1. Clean the ash gourd, peel it, and dice it into cubes.
Step 2. Take half a cup of ash gourd and blend it with half a cup of water.
Step 3. Pour it into a tall glass and drink without adding anything else.
Enjoy a healthy, hearty, and happy winter, everyone!
