Winters are approaching fast. Like many of you, winter is also my favourite season of the year. I waited for the whole year to feel the cold breeze in the air. When it’s cold outside, enjoying a bowl of hot soup is one of my favourite things to do while snuggling in a bed and wearing layers of clothes.

The cosy and warm feeling is heavenly for me. I adore winter so much for many reasons and one of the top reasons is the array of seasonal food it comes with. No matter how much we desire warm and comforting food, we can’t just ignore the health benefits of seasonal eating. And, Ash Gourd or popularly known as Safed Petha is one such seasonal & nutritional vegetable that thrives in the winter season. It is available in abundance and possesses a handful of advantages to keep you fit and fine all winter long.

It is indeed the best vegetable as medicine according to Ayurveda. If you’re not a fan of Ash Gourd yet, these benefits may come as an eye-opener to help you decide why Ash Gourd must be a part of your winter diet. Don’t believe me. Keep reading to explore yourself!

1. Fights Off Winter Illness

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During the winter, colds and flu are more common which makes it essential to strengthen the immune system to ward off seasonal illness. Because Ash gourd is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants it will help you to boost the immune system. Vitamin C is known for its ability to fight off infections and reduce the duration and severity of colds.

Incorporating ash gourd into your diet in any format can help you stay healthy and ward off winter illnesses. So, if you want to boost your immunity, you know what to include in your diet!

2. Help You Manage Weight

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Maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging during the winter months when comforting foods are available in abundance. Hot chocolate is something that is hugely available and consumed in the cold season. Despite knowing the excess amount of refined sugar it is loaded with, people may tend to consume it irrespectively which actually has an average of 200-300 calories per serving according to livestrong.com.

Ash gourd is a low-calorie vegetable with high water content, making it an excellent choice for weight management. Its fibre content helps you feel full and satisfied, reducing the temptation to overindulge in calorie-rich foods which are mainly sugary and processed food.

3. Revamp The Appearance of Skin

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As the weather turns colder, Dry skin, itching, and flakiness become extremely common. While you may rigorously follow a skincare routine to protect your winter skin, little do you know that this superfood Ash Gourd can be your skin’s best friend this winter as it possesses certain vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both of which together enhance the quality of skin by providing natural moisturizer and improving collagen production.

For those of you who don’t know, Collagen is responsible for the plum and youthful skin. It also protects your skin from aging. That’s why we should focus more on the food which may preserve or boost its production.

4. Keeps You Hydrated

Image Source:Dr. Chaitali Rathod

Staying hydrated is essential year-round, but it’s often overlooked in the winter when we may not feel as thirsty and sweaty as we do in the summer. Thanks to Ash gourd’s high water content (about 96%) which makes it an excellent choice for maintaining hydration levels during the colder months.

Juice is the best way to consume Ash Gourd as per many Ayurvedic practitioners including Dr. Chaitali Rathod. Drinking fresh and natural Ash Gourd Juice is a good choice to maintain the electrolyte balance of the body. It also keeps fatigue and tiredness at bay which are the main issues with the winter season. You can also try other ash gourd recipes like Ash Gourd raita, parantha, soup, kheer & petha (if you’re not diabetic).

5. Treat Respiratory Problems

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The sudden wave of cold air can negatively affect the lungs and cause difficulty in breathing, coughs, or congestion. This could be more problematic for people suffering from breathing issues already.

Good news because Ash gourd has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to alleviate respiratory problems. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help in loosening mucus from the respiratory tract and provide relief from breathing issues, reduce coughing, and provide relief. You can prepare ash gourd soups to ease respiratory discomfort during the winter season.

6. Increased Energy Levels

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As soon as winter arrives, I suddenly start feeling tired and drained. Little did I know that it has been scientifically proven that winter fatigue is real. Not enough sun exposure, shorter days, cooler temperatures, and lower immunity all together contribute to seasonal fatigue.

However, thanks to Ash Gourd it gives an enormous amount of energy to feel awake, and alert, and get rid of the feeling of sleepiness. The energy it gives is totally different than what you may get by drinking coffee because, in case of ash gourd, it keeps your nerves calm and relaxed.

Final Thoughts

Ash gourd is a versatile and nutrition-packed vegetable that offers a plethora of health benefits, especially during the winter season. It is a valuable addition to your winter diet to seek the many benefits of staying hearty and healthy in winter. So, the next time you visit the nearby grocery store, don’t forget to pick up some ash gourd and explore the delicious ash gourd recipes to incorporate into your meals. Your body will thank you for it!

Also, don’t forget to eat mindfully and include the rainbow of veggies we are provided with for the winter season. Combine it with a regular workout routine and you’re good to go!

Keep reading our latest blogs to keep your winter health in check!