Bitter Gourd Juice: Recipe, Benefits and Safety

Bitter gourd juice is a drink made from fresh bitter gourd and water; it takes 10 minutes to prepare and yields about 240 mL (1 cup), or 1 serving.

For variations, use the ai detox recipe generator. You can also explore the best juices for detox for more drink ideas.

What is bitter gourd juice?

Bitter gourd juice is made by extracting or blending the flesh of bitter gourd, a green vegetable with a distinctly bitter taste. Adding water makes the flavor milder, while straining removes much of the pulp.

This recipe uses raw bitter gourd and has no added sugar. Choose a firm bitter gourd, wash it under running water, and remove the seeds and inner pith before juicing. The skin can stay on.

How do you make bitter gourd juice?

Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 serving, about 240 mL (1 cup)

Ingredients

• 100 g (about 1 cup) chopped bitter gourd, measured after removing the seeds and pith
• Up to 240 mL (1 cup) cold drinking water, divided

Blender method

1. Wash the bitter gourd under running water. Cut it lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and pith, and chop the flesh.
2. Blend 100 g (about 1 cup) of the chopped bitter gourd with 120 mL (1/2 cup) of the water until finely blended.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup, pressing gently on the pulp.
4. Add enough of the remaining water to make about 240 mL (1 cup). Stir and serve promptly.

Juicer method

1. Wash the bitter gourd under running water. Cut it lengthwise, remove the seeds and pith, and chop it into pieces that fit the juicer.
2. Run 100 g (about 1 cup) of the chopped bitter gourd through the juicer according to the appliance instructions.
3. Pour the extracted juice into a measuring cup and add enough water to make about 240 mL (1 cup).
4. Stir and serve promptly.

Both methods produce a bitter drink; the amount of water needed will vary with the bitter gourd and how much juice is extracted. Straining is useful for a smoother result, though it leaves some of the vegetable’s fiber behind.

What does bitter gourd juice do?

Bitter gourd juice provides fluid, and it can contain some nutrients from the vegetable. Raw bitter gourd contains 84 mg of vitamin C and 2.8 g of fiber per 100 g, but those whole-vegetable figures are not the amounts in a glass of strained juice. The amounts in the drink depend on how much juice and pulp are retained.

There is not enough reliable evidence to recommend bitter gourd juice for blood sugar control or as a replacement for diabetes treatment. Its possible effects should not be confused with proof that the juice treats a condition. Read more about bitter gourd juice benefits.

The drink also does not flush toxins from the body. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste; sweat removes only trace amounts. Drinking fluids supports hydration, which helps these organs function normally.

When is the best time to drink bitter gourd juice?

There is no established best time to drink bitter gourd juice. Choose a time that suits you and, if the bitter taste is unpleasant on an empty stomach, consider having it with food instead. Drinking it in the morning does not make it a more effective detox drink.

For more on timing, see the best time to drink bitter gourd juice.

How should you store bitter gourd juice?

Freshly made juice is best served promptly. If you need to keep it, put it in a clean, covered container and refrigerate it promptly at 4°C (40°F) or below. For best quality, drink it within 24 hours.

Discard juice that smells sour or has become slimy, and do not leave it sitting at room temperature. This homemade juice is unpasteurized, so careful washing and refrigeration matter; they do not guarantee that it is free of harmful germs.

Who should avoid bitter gourd juice?

Avoid bitter gourd juice during pregnancy or breastfeeding because its safety is not well established. Young children and people with weakened immune systems should also avoid this unpasteurized juice because of the risk of foodborne illness.

If you have diabetes and take insulin or other blood-sugar-lowering medication, ask your clinician before drinking bitter gourd juice: it may add to the medication’s effect. Do not change or stop prescribed medication on your own. See a clinician if you experience symptoms such as shakiness, sweating or dizziness; seek urgent help for severe confusion, a seizure or loss of consciousness.

If the juice causes persistent stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea, stop drinking it and seek medical advice. For more detail, see bitter gourd juice side effects.

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