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Pune Woman’s Death Linked to Bottle Gourd Juice. Is It Safe?

Is Lauki or bottle gourd juice safe to drink? Doctors say when it tastes bitter, don’t juice it.

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Fit
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The humble bottle gourd, also called lauki, ghia or dhudhi is believed to be full of health benefits according to the ancient Indian system of medicine called Ayurveda. It is prescribed to those with diabetes, hypertension, constipation, weight loss, liver disease, among other health problems.

But a recent report in Times of India has linked the death of a healthy woman in Pune to drinking a glass of bottle gourd juice.

After her daily run, the woman allegedly had a glass of lauki juice, according to a family friend quoted in the report. Soon after, she started vomiting and had loose motions. Within three days she had succumbed to her death.

The report does not carry quotes from doctors or hospitals.

But can a vegetable, that is known for it’s health benefits, turn dangerous when juiced?

Should You Have Bitter Bottle Gourd Juice?

According to this study, published in World Journal of Emergency Medicine, when the lauki juice becomes bitter, it can prove to be poisonous.

The emergency physicians in the report warn of suspected toxicity due to consumption of the juice, leading to severe vomiting and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

According to the study,

As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, bottle gourd contains toxic compounds called cucurbitacins, which are responsible for the bitter taste and toxicity.

There is no specific treatment and doctors treat symptoms. The study further states that there have not been enough peer backed studies on the health benefits of bottle gourd and drinking juice that’s gone bitter can lead to symptoms like -

Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, hematemesis, shock and death.

Speaking to FIT, nutritionist Kavita Devgan says lauki as a vegetable is very good for us.

Due to its high water content it is a hydrating food, a diuretic, and also an effective weight loss aid. Low in fat and cholesterol, this vegetable is rich in many essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B, sodium, iron and potassium, which are super important for us.

But she warms that when bitter, it carries a highly toxic compound called Tetracyclic Triterpenoid Cucurbitacins that can cause serious side-effects and even death, especially if consumed in large doses.

So should one not have lauki or bottle gourd juice?

You don’t have to stop having it, but as a precaution people should not consume the juice if it tastes bitter. Always slice a piece from lauki, taste if it’s bitter. If it is, discard it immediately. The same is the case with other fruits and vegetables from the cucumber family as they are believed to have harmful toxins that give bitter taste.
Kavita Devgan, Nutritionist

Nutritionist Rupali Dutta adds, that we should pay close attention to the flavour of the juice and discard it if it is bitter. But lauki in itself is a healthy vegetable full of nutritious goodness including vitamin C and high concentration of zinc.

(For more stories on nutrition, follow FIT)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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