12 Amazing Health Benefits of Apple Gourd

Apple gourd is a type of vegetable that resembles both a green apple and a pumpkin. It goes by many names, such as Indian squash, round lemon, Indian round gourd, or simply Tinda. This vegetable is green in colour, and its shape can vary from oval to round. Its taste, texture, and seeds are similar to squash. Apple gourd has thick, white flesh and numerous seeds.

Indian round gourd shares a similar taste and texture with squash. Since ancient times, Tinda has been renowned for its various medicinal applications. It is rich in carotenoid antioxidants, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect eye organs from oxidative damage and maintain healthy vision. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of apple gourd.

First, let's understand the nutritional value of apple gourd per 100 grams -

• Carbohydrates - 3.6 grams
• Protein - 1.4 grams
• Total Fat - 0.3 grams
• Dietary Fibres - 1.6 grams
• Cholesterol - 0 mg
• Calcium - 25 mg
• Iron - 0.9 mg
• Phosphorus - 24 mg
• Carotene - 12 Mu grams
• Niacin - 0.300 mg
• Thiamin - 0.04 mg
• Vitamin C - 18 mg
• Riboflavin - 0.08 mg
  
  

12 Benefits of Apple Gourds

Tinda or apple gourd can be eaten by making sabzi, soup stew or can also be consumed as a smoothie. Here are 12 benefits of eating apple gourd -

1. Maintains Digestive Health: It is believed that apple gourd is good for digestive health because of its dietary fibre content. Fibre in apple gourd can protect you from constipation and promote regular bowel movements. The fibre in apple gourd also maintains your blood sugar level by slowing down the absorption of sugar in the digestive tract.
2. Zero Cholesterol Levels: Apple gourd contains zero cholesterol levels and negligible fat and is high in potassium, magnesium, and manganese, which are very good and beneficial for the heart. By adding apple gourd to your regular diet, it lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, helping you maintain a healthy heart.
3. Rich in Water Content: Apple gourds contain 94% water, which keeps your body hydrated. Apple gourds are low in calories because they are mostly water, making them a great choice for those who need to manage their weight.
4. Full of Vitamins: Apple gourds contain vitamins and multivitamins (vitamins A, C, B6, and K) that have countless benefits for body functioning. They protect you from various illnesses and help boost immunity and blood clotting mechanisms.
5. Flavonoids and Carotenoids: Apple gourds contain flavonoids and carotenoids, which possess antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for scalp disorders, diabetes, fever, and jaundice. Apple gourds have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in curing inflammatory diseases like arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.
6. High Fiber and Low-calorie Levels: Apple gourds have high fibre and low-calorie levels, which promote gut health. After consuming apple gourds, a person feels fuller for a longer time due to the dietary fibre. This reduces cravings for food, prevents digestive ailments, and helps a person reduce their weight.
7. Provide Relief from Constipation: Apple gourd or tinda has a high dietary fibre content that promotes smooth and regular bowel movements. It not only helps provide relief from constipation but also aids in eliminating toxic compounds from the gut.
8. Promotes Better Eye Health: Apple gourd is rich in Vitamin A, which is beneficial for the eyes. It boosts eye functioning and prevents eyesight degeneration. Additionally, apple gourd is rich in carotenoid antioxidants such as zeaxanthin and lutein, which protect the delicate parts of the eye.
9. Boosts Collagen Production: Consuming apple gourd can boost collagen production, the protein responsible for skin firmness and overall skin health, as well as promoting hair health. This concept holds true: you are what you eat. If a person does not eat healthy food, it reflects on their skin and hair. Similarly, if a person consumes foods full of antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals like tinda, it can have a significant impact on skin and hair.
10. Promotes Healthy Heart: The antioxidants present in tinda help combat free radicals in the body that might affect heart function. It also contains potassium, which improves blood flow to the heart and reduces the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure).
11. Prevents Overeating: Tinda, or apple gourd, has a high water content and fibre, providing a feeling of fullness and preventing overeating, which aids in maintaining a proper weight. Additionally, the vegetable is low in calories, supporting weight loss.
12. Promotes Kidney Health: The high antioxidants and water content in tinda aid in eliminating toxins from the human body, preventing toxic buildup in the kidneys and promoting kidney well-being.

Conclusion

Due to the many known and unknown benefits of apple gourd, it is considered a superfood. Apple gourds offer a wide range of benefits that everyone should incorporate into a healthy diet. They are packed with antioxidants, minerals (such as iron and zinc), and vitamins that aid digestion and bolster the immune system. Apple gourds contain iron and zinc, which are crucial for promoting hair growth. 

Regular consumption of apple gourd results in healthier and shinier hair. Additionally, apple gourd has a cooling effect, which can help soothe the scalp and prevent conditions such as dandruff, itching, and hair loss. Therefore, it is safe to say that adding apple gourd to your diet will provide you with numerous benefits. However, individuals should not rely solely on apple gourds to treat or cure any disease. It is essential to consult a doctor in case of severe symptoms.