IVY GOURD / KOVAKKAI

Ivy gourd is rich in an orange red pigment called beta-carotene which has potent antioxidant effects. By neutralizing free radicals in the bloodstream, antioxidants may help slow or prevent damage to cells at the molecular level. Ivy gourd also contains phytonutrients, such as saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids, that are though offer heart and anti-cancer benefits. Alternative practitioners believe that these plant-based compounds are potent enough to treat a variety of illnesses (including asthma, gonorrhea, and skin infections) and even stimulate weight loss. However, the clinical evidence supporting these claims is almost invariably weak.