winter melon, or White Petha, is a nutritious vegetable mainly found in India, China and other regions of Southeast Asia. You’ll find winter melon (also known as ash gourd) in a variety of Indian and Chinese dishes, from stews and salads to curries. In other words, there’s no limit to the ways you can eat this humble veggie. But what does winter melon taste like? It is both tasty and healthy and has a neutral flavor similar to a cucumber when young. However, on ripening the sweetness reduces slightly but still remains juicy and crisp. Do you know that Petha is made up of water which is about 96 percent?! More interestingly, it is loaded with innumerable health benefits. Bottle gourd is believed to have nutritional and medicinal properties. It is rich in Vitamin C and B complex vitamins like Niacin, Thiamin and Riboflavin. It also contains minerals like iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, protein, carbohydrate and fiber. If you want to know more about this humble vegetable, nutritionist Lavneet Batra shares some surprising benefits of petha.
Here Are 5 Health Benefits of Winter Melon
1. Winter Melon Stimulates Healthy Digestion
Do you often face digestive problems? If yes, then you must definitely taste Petha. Lovneet said, “Gourd is a good source of soluble fiber. This type of fiber forms a gel-like substance in your gut, which slows down your digestion and helps promote feelings of fullness.
Read also: Cooking With Bottle Gourd – 2 Delicious South Indian Dishes To Try
2. Winter Melon is Rich in Antioxidants
Nutritionist Batra said that winter melon/ash gourd is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Hence it is known as a functional food that has the ability to fight cell damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants play a protective role in our bodies by fighting free radical compounds that can cause serious damage.
3. Petha Supports Heart Health
It is said that winter melon also supports heart health. It contains high levels of potassium and vitamin C. Potassium acts as a vasodilator, which means it may help lower blood pressure by reducing tension in blood vessels and arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely, Lavanit said. In addition, vitamin C has been directly linked to a lower chance of stroke.
Read also: How To Make Lauki Or Petha Juice For Weight Loss And Alkaline Detox
4. Winter melon increases immunity
Everyone understands the importance of having strong immunity especially after the pandemic. Winter melon contains vitamin C and riboflavin. Vitamin C may stimulate the production of white blood cells, and may also act as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals and prevent mutation of healthy cells. Winter melon probably contains good amounts of riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, a micronutrient with an important role in maintaining immune health.
5. Winter Melon Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Winter melon contains a significant amount of gallic acid, which has potential as an anti-inflammatory effect.
We hope these pointers have convinced you to include petha in your diet.
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