Botanically called Hairy Mordica, Karela or bitter gourd (bitter guard) is very bitter in taste. But it is a rich source of phosphorus, so much so, that one Karela a day takes care of the entire need of phosphorus by our body. It is a blood purifier and activates spleen, liver and highly beneficial in diabetes. It is purgative, appetizer, digestive, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulent and has healing capacity.
It has 92.4% water, 8% minerals, 1.6% proteins, 4.2% fats, 4.2% carbohydrates, 0.03 calcium and 0.07 phosphorus. 100 gms of Karela contain 22mg of iron, 210 (IU) Vitamin A, 24 (IU) Vitamin B and 88 mg Vitamin C.
