: Snake gourd, (Trichosanthes cucumerina), also
called serpent gourd, rapid-growing vine of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae),
cultivated for its oddly shaped edible fruits.The leaves and shoots are also
edible, and the pulp of mature fruits is sometimes eaten as a tomato
substitute. Snake gourd is rich in Vitamins A, B and C, Potassium, Magnesium,
Calcium, Iodine, Iron and the presence of antibiotic qualities in the vegetable
is considered to boost immunity. The juice applied to the scalp can remove
dandruff. The juice can clean blood vessels and improve circulation. The snake
gourd plant is a vine that has threadlike stems called tendrils. The leaves are
shaped like the palm of a hand with branches called leaflets. The immature
fruit is green and elongated, with a soft, fleshy texture and bland flavour,
while the mature fruit is more longer, red in colour and inedible, due to its
bitter taste. The edible green fruit derives its name of snake gourd, due to
its characteristic coiled appearance with light white stripes. It is commonly
considered a vegetable, which is used in cooking a variety of staple Indian
dishes such as kootu, curry, sabzi and dal. Snake gourd supplies plenty of
nutrition, being inherently high on water content vegetable, it
provides a cooling effect on the body, having zero cholesterol thereby
augmenting heart health and abounding in a plethora of vitamins and minerals to
facilitate key metabolic functions in the body.
Benefits:
Accelerates Weight Loss
Augments Heart Function
Detoxifies The Kidneys
Enhances Digestive System
Strengthens Respiratory Processes
Soothes Depression And Anxiety
Resolves Acid Reflux
Mitigates Symptoms Of PCOS
Cures Diarrhoea
Manages Diabetes Symptoms
Nutrients per Serving:
The snake gourd nutrition facts for a 100 g serving are as follows:
Calories: 86.2 kcal
Total Fat: 3.9 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Total Carbohydrate: 12.5
g
Dietary Fiber: 0.6 g
Protein: 2.0 g
Sodium: 33.0 mg
Potassium: 359.1 mg
Vitamins:
Vitamin A: 9.8 %
Vitamin B6: 11.3 %
Vitamin C: 30.5 %
Vitamin E: 1.1 %