Lauki: Health Benefits And Nutritional Value

Lauki, also known as bottle gourd, is long regarded as one of the healthiest vegetables. This versatile vegetable has a high water content (nearly 92%) and mineral content, which help keep your body hydrated. 

It also goes by the name Doodhi and should receive more attention for its health benefits. The water-rich vegetable lauki is also high in calcium, vitamin K, and C and can provide all the necessary nutrients.

It helps keep the heart healthy, brings down dangerous cholesterol levels, and has been a part of the diet in many medical conditions. Bottle gourds can be small, bottle-shaped, enormous, round, or slim and twisted.

Table Of Contents 

1. Nutritional Value Of Lauki

2. Health Benefits Of Lauki

3. Protective Measures While Consuming Lauki

4. Dietitian’s Recommendation

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

Nutritional Value Of Bottle Gourd

Lauki is a neglected vegetable with many nutrients. Let us find out how beneficial lauki can be for our health if incorporated into the diet.

• Calories- 14 kcal 
• Carbohydrates- 3.39 g 
• Proteins- 0.62 g 
• Lipids- 0.02 g 
• Fibre- 0.5 g 
• Iron- 0.2 mg 
• Calcium- 26 mg 
• Potassium- 150 mg 
• Sodium- 2 mg 
• Magnesium- 11 mg 
• Phosphorus- 13 mg 
• Zinc- 0.7 mg 
• Copper- 0.026 mg 
• Manganese- 0.066 mg 
• Selenium- 0.2 mg 
• Vitamin C- 10.1 mg 
• Riboflavin- 0.022 mg 
• Thiamin- 0.029 mg 
• Pantothenic acid- 0.152 mg 
• Vitamin B6- 0.04 mg 
• Niacin- 0.32 mg 
• Folate- 6 mg 

Health Benefits Of Lauki

Lauki has many health benefits as it is packed with zinc and vitamin C. Also, if you are looking for a weight loss diet, lauki is something you should incorporate into it.

Let us find out what more lauki has to offer.

1. Good For Liver Health

According to NIN( National Institute of Nutrients), bottle gourd may benefit the liver. Numerous potential advantages of lauki include support for healthy liver function. Animal tests have shown these potential advantages. However, you must speak with your doctor before using a lauki for liver conditions.

2. Good For Brain Health 

Memory may benefit from lauki consumption. Certain lauki constituents may exhibit pain-relieving and CNS-depressant activity by acting on the brain. Lauki’s potential for calming the mind could be observed by CNS(Central Nervous System) depressant activity. Before consuming a lauki for its benefits for the brain, consult a doctor and obtain a correct diagnosis and course of treatment.

3. Reduces Risk Of Cancer

A study by ICMR(Indian Council of Medical Research) suggests that lauki extract might inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. Additionally, a laboratory study indicates that its stem extract may have potent cytotoxic (toxic to bodily cells) activity against cancer cell lines. The potential antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of lauki may be responsible for its anticancer properties, making it an anti-cancerous food. 

4. Helpful In Diabetes

Diabetes has traditionally been treated with a bottle gourd. Lauki may be the preferred food for diabetics due to its low fat and high fibre content. A study trial by NIN(National Institute of Nutrition) showed that lauki extract could significantly lower blood glucose levels in diabetic people. 

Such studies have shown bottle gourds to have potential anti-diabetic benefits. Still, more research is required to confirm these effects in people.

5. Good For Weight Management

Due to its low-calorie and high water content, lauki might be a good choice for losing weight. Moreover, it has low fat and cholesterol and is also high in dietary fibre. These characteristics might support weight management. 

You can manage your weight by including lauki in your regular diet. 

6. Good For Skin 

A good source of zinc and vitamin C, bottle gourd may have several skin-friendly properties. For overall skin health, vitamin C is necessary; it might shield the skin from ultraviolet radiation's harmful effects. 

It helps avoid ageing skin symptoms like skin sagging. Increasing the production of skin barrier lipids might also strengthen the skin barrier. If you have skin conditions, consult a dermatologist or skincare specialist. They can advise you on the benefits and drawbacks of certain herbs and vegetables.

Protective Measures While Consuming Lauki

Some protective measures to follow when using lauki include:

• Pregnant women can eat cooked lauki as a vegetable. However, toxic effects can result from consuming too much food or vegetable, so they should be consumed in moderation.
• In India, lauki is a widely used vegetable that can be eaten in small amounts or added to foods and dishes. However, bottle gourd should not be consumed excessively for its therapeutic properties. Before doing so, speak with your physician or other healthcare professional.
• In India, lauki is a widely consumed vegetable. However, the elderly may consume it only in moderation, as excessive eating can have negative consequences.
• If lauki is added to foods and dishes in moderation, it might be safe for kids to eat. 

Dietitian’s Recommendation

Lauki is one of the healthiest vegetables. It includes vital nutrients like vitamins C, B, K, A, and E, iron, folate, potassium, and manganese. These are essential for metabolism and other bodily processes. Every day, you should eat lauki with your meals. You can prepare it as juice or soup, snacks, desserts, or vegetables to eat.

-Dietitian Lavina Chauhan

The Final Say

Lauki, also known as doodhi in India, is one of the healthiest vegetables and is a veritable powerhouse of nutrients and health advantages. Lauki is a fruit high in water, vitamins, and minerals. It is also a popular home remedy for various health problems. Therefore, this common green vegetable truly deserves a place in your kitchen if you are the type who prefers using natural treatments rather than prescription drugs.

FAQs

1. Can lauki cure heart blockage?

Lauki is highly recommended in Ayurveda. It has innumerable health benefits. One of the most significant uses is for heart problems. 

2. Who should not eat bottled gourd?

Consuming lauki, which is bitter in taste, may lead to severe poisoning. If you experience abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, hematemesis (vomiting blood), or hematochezia (blood in stool), reach your doctor immediately. 

3. Is lauki good for the kidneys?

Losing fluids during the excruciating summer heat can cause kidney stones and trigger urinary infections. Regular consumption of lauki is known to break calculus or stones in the body and serve as an alkaline mixture to treat kidney infections.

4. Is lauki good for creatinine?

Yes. Lauki juice is suitable for people with high creatinine and urea levels. Still, patients should also check the amount of lauki fluid they consume.

5. Does bottle gourd increase blood pressure?

Potassium is found in lauki, which helps in controlling blood pressure. Drinking lauki regularly makes the heart strong as well as healthy. It improves heart health very effectively.

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