3 easy ways to spot chemical- free, unadulterated lauki

Lauki or bottle gourd is a staple in many culinary traditions and is widely appreciated for its health benefits, despite its bland taste.Chaitali Rane, clinical dietician, P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, told indianexpress.com that bottle gourd contains the highest water content, which helps in hydration and hunger control. It contains phytochemicals and has anti-inflammatory properties, which help scavenge the stress produced in the body. This action helps in maintaining cardiac health. It is also a beneficial option for individuals dealing with diabetes, hypertension, and heart issues, she said.

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“Lauki is also a rich source of essential nutrients such as potassium, iron, calcium, and vitamins B complex and C. With low-fat content and high dietary fibre, bottle gourd is beneficial for heart health, as it reduces pressure on blood regulation and lowers cholesterol levels,” she revealed, adding that it helps prevent and control indigestion, ulcers, stress, and depression as it reduces the free acid radical formation in the body which in turn, helps in managing insulin sensitivity. However, to reap all these benefits, it is essential to identify unadulterated lauki. Sushma PS, chief dietitian, Jindal Naturecure Institute, shared three easy ways to determine a chemical-free, unadulterated lauki.

1. Look and texture