After a long period of bearing the scorching sun, people across India enjoy the most-loved rainy season. It's time when even nature wears a festive look with a decadent spread of variegated hues. And our bodies and minds respond to this seasonal change in a particular way. While the heavenly shower gives our mind a sense of gushing joy, on the other hand, it brings a few challenges for the body. A primary reason is the food we consume and its impact on our immune system. But you needn’t fret. The solution lies in including a few seasonal vegetables in our diet.
Here is a list of five must-have monsoon vegetables.
1. Spiny Gourd
A few of us know it as Teasel Gourd. Locally it is called kakoda, kantola, and kakrol. This gourd comes in small to medium sizes and has an egg shape. The outer layer has spikes, hence the name. It is widely available during the rainy season and offers a mindboggling range of health benefits. Ayurveda acknowledges teasel gourd's laxative, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antipyretic properties. Including it in the daily diet can prevent liver impairment and inflammatory conditions. This vegetable also helps in bringing down the body temperature during fever.
2. Bottle Gourd
Lauki, or bottle gourd, is a champion in terms of giving health benefits. Monsoon can't be imagined without having a variety of dishes prepared with lauki. It has a high content of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. And these agents aid in keeping a healthy digestive system. Lauki is also a good source of vitamin B and C and iron. Thus, it is suggested that anti-oxidative actions. For calorie watchers, lauki is bae.
3. Ivy Gourd
Also known as kundru or kundri, these tiny gourds are a storehouse of anti-inflammatory properties that protect against cold, fever, cough allergies, and infections, which are common seasonal ailments. For those who suffer from high glucose and cholesterol levels and struggle to manage them, ivy gourds can be of great help.
4. Bitter Gourd
You love or hate it, karela knows how to keep you healthy, and it aces it with bitterness. The rainy season demands a diet that boosts immunity. And bitter gourd is rich in vitamin C, an agent known for amping immune systems. Karela also has solid antiviral properties and guards the body against any kind of viral attack. So, without fussing about this humble gourd, add it to your monsoon diet. There are several ways to prepare tasty karela recipes.
5. Pointed Gourd
Also called parwal, palwal, potal and patol, this is another potent vegetable from the gourd family. It has several therapeutic benefits. Its antipyretic properties aid in lowering fever and common cold that follows the monsoon season. Eating outside food during monsoon increases the risk of liver injury or irritation. The liver is protected from inflammation and other issues by the hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of parwal. Along with working against different disease strains, it has antibacterial properties.
Wash these gourds thoroughly under running tap water, and repeat it at least a couple of times. It will ensure the removal of any dirt or possible chemical residue. Don't deep fry them; this process takes away the nutritional value.