This is an extremely hydrating and healthy vegetable smoothie that contains the goodness of bottle gourd and cucumber. Both these ingredients are loaded with water and dietary fiber that helps to keep the body hydrated improves satiety and aids digestion. Being low-calorie foods, bottle gourd, and cucumber aid weight loss by filling you up without adding too many calories.
The addition of ginger and coriander provides a delicious spicy kick to the smoothie and makes it all the appetizing. Although, using slices of multigrain bread in this smoothie might appear odd, but they actually help to make the smoothie more filling and add a creamy texture without affecting the taste.
Bottle gourd or lauki are a versatile vegetable that can be eaten cooked and raw. High level of dietary fiber and water in bottle gourd helps to improve digestion and relieve constipation by regularizing bowel movement through the colon. The minerals present in bottle gourd helps to maintain the pH of the body at a healthy alkaline state.
Bottle gourd is extremely beneficial for weight loss because it is extremely low in calories and high in fiber and water. The cooling and diuretic effect of bottle gourd helps to flush out excess fluid from the body by increasing urination and relieve urinary tract infections.
Cucumbers are a healthy low-calorie fruit loaded with water and dietary fiber that aids weight loss by improving satiety and keeping you full without adding empty calories. Cucumber contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber aids digestion by regularizing bowel movement while soluble fiber improves nutrient absorption in the intestine by slowing down digestion.
Cucumber is a rich source of potassium, an electrolyte mineral that helps to maintain fluid balance in and around the cell membranes. Potassium also helps to maintain normal heart rhythm and support muscle contraction. B-vitamins present in cucumber support energy metabolism.
Coriander is one of the healthiest of herbs that contain an abundant amount of vitamin A, vitamin K, and antioxidant polyphenols. Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy functioning of the lungs and kidneys and improve skin, hair and heart health. Vitamin A also protects the eyes and reduces the risk of cataract, night blindness, and age-related macular degeneration.
Vitamin K found in coriander helps to develop strong and healthy bones by supporting bone mineralization. Vitamin K also supports proper blood clotting. Antioxidant polyphenols present in coriander helps to protect the liver cells from toxins and maintain healthy liver function.
The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help to reduce chronic inflammation in the body. It also helps to relieve pain, stiffness, and discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism. The volatile oils and active compounds such as gingerol and shogaol support gastrointestinal health and help to relieve nausea and vomiting.
Here is the recipe…
Ingredients:
- Bottle gourd (peeled and chopped) – ½ cup
- Cucumber (peeled and chopped) – ½ cup
- Coriander leaves (chopped) – 2 tablespoons
- Ginger pieces – ¼ teaspoon
- Multigrain bread: 3 slices
- Jeera powder (Cumin powder) – ¼ teaspoon
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon
- Water: 150 mL
Procedure:
- Pour bottle gourd, cucumber pieces and coriander leaves in the blender.
- Then add ginger pieces, cumin powder, salt and bread slices to the blender.
- Add water and blend all these ingredients well on high speed until smooth.
- Drink this smoothie immediately to get all the nutrients absorbed into the body and aids in weight loss.
This is one of the most effective green smoothies for weight loss that helps to improve satiety due to its high fiber and water content without adding any empty calories. This smoothie also supplies all the essential nutrients to the body and prevents nutritional deficiencies.
Leave a Reply