How to control diabetes with Ivy gourd – DIY

Diabetes (Blood sugar) is also called as diabetes mellitus has become a common health problem. Two primary reason in which diabetes occurs – First reason is when the body stops producing insulin that is type I diabetes (1) and the second reason is when the body does not respond to the insulin (2) produced by the body that is type II diabetes.  Here is the simple home remedy to control diabetes.

Take 2 ivy gourd (Kovakkai), cut and add to blender. Add 100 ml water, grind well and make juice. Drink this juice twice a week one hour before lunch to control diabetes.

How does ivy gourd control diabetes?

Ivy gourd acts like insulin by correcting the raised enzymes such as lactase, glucose-6 phosphatase (3), dehydrogenase and thus controls hyperglycemia in diabetes. A study published in Diabetes care February 2008 on “Effects of Supplementation of Coccinia Cordifolia extracts on Newly Detected Diabetic Patients”shows that there was a significant reduction in the fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels (4) decreased by 16 and 18%. Ivy gourd is considered as best vegetable to control diabetes.

Ivy gourd in other languages

Ivy gourd is scientifically called as Coccinia grandis, Kandoori paraval in Hindi, Kovakkai in Tamil, Koval in Malayalam. Other common names of ivy gourd include small gourd, scarlet gourd, little gourd, baby watermelon, Tindora, tonde kai, little gourdor gentleman’s toes in English.

Nutritional value of Ivy gourd

Consuming 100 grams of ivy gourd provides 1.2 gram of protein, 30mg of potassium, 40mg calcium (5), 1.6g of dietary fibre, 1.4mg of iron, 1.4mg of vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), 0.07mg of vitamin B1(Thiamin), and vitamin B3(Niacin).

Health benefits of Ivy gourd

Promotes digestive health

Ivy gourd has the ability to promote digestion as it has vitamin B and dietary fibre. These nutrients help in proper secretion of digestive enzymes, improves bowel formation and bowel movement. Regular consumption of ivy gourd treats constipation and other stomach related problems.

Boost immunity

Ivy gourd contains vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C and vitamin B3. All these vitamins are known to boost immune function. Consuming ivy gourd twice or thrice a week builds strong immunity (6) and thus keeps our body away from common infections and diseases and helps to maintain a healthy life.

Good for heart health

Ivy gourd contains good amount of potassium, and this plays a very important role in every heartbeat. It helps the heart to squeeze the blood through the body, makes the muscles to move and nerves to work. Potassium does not treat any heart problems, but it prevents problems like heart attack and ischemic heart (7).

Prevents kidney stone

Ivy gourd is a popular vegetable in treating kidney stones. The calcium present in ivy gourd is beneficial and help reduce the risk of getting kidney stones. Consuming ivy gourd juice regularly might even help to dissolve and flush out the kidney stone that might have already formed in the kidneys.

Help overcome fatigue

Iron deficiency is the main cause for fatigue. Consuming minerals and iron rich foods like ivy gourd help promote the production of red blood cells to prevent issues like fatigue and anemia.

Allergy protection

The phytochemical compounds like glycosides (8), alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponins and many other nutrients presence in ivy gourd can provide antihistaminic and anaphylactic potential that can help in the treatment of issues like allergies and asthma.

Strengthen bones

Ivy gourd is rich in calcium which can be effective in strengthening bones. Women over 40 years may suffer with a problem of bone density loss (9). As it is rich in calcium and iron it is good for pregnant women.

Skin health

As like ivy gourd, the stem, root, leaves and flowers are also beneficial in treating various health conditions. To treat skin disease psoriasis, take one cup of fresh ivy gourd leaves boil in water. Once boiled take out the leaves, dry them and make fine powder. Store in a container and keep in a cool place. Mix a teaspoon of powder in hot water and drink thrice a day to cure psoriasis(10).

Ivy gourd recipes

Ivy gourd fry

Ingredients

• Ivy gourd 100 grams
• 3 to 4 tsp oil
• 2 teaspoons pav bhaji masala
• Salt as required

Method

• Slice ivy gourd into small pieces.
• Heat pan, add oil, pieces of ivy gourd, pav bhaji masala, and salt.
• Let it fry for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Tasty, spicy ivy gourd fry is ready.

Ivy gourd stuffed curry

Ingredients

• 300 grams ivy gourd
• 4 tablespoons chana dal
• 2 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 4 to 5 red chillies
• 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons methi seeds
• 2 teaspoons tamrind juice
• Pinch turmeric
• Salt as required
• Oil as required
• Few chopped coriander leaves

Method

• Roast all the spices by adding little oil.
• Grind into a smooth powder.
• Add chopped coriander leaves, mix well and keep aside. Masala stuff is ready.
• Clean ivy gourd and make slit on both sides.
• Pressure cook them for one whistle.
• Cool down and stuff with masala.
• Add little oil, fry ivy gourd till they are roasted.
•  Add tamrind juice, fry some more time, till they are dry.
• Switch off the flame, serve with hot.