Produce of India: The important bitter gourd growing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

History: There is very little history about the Karela or bitter gourd. Bitter gourd originated from Africa. It is first noted in Africa as a dry-season staple food of Kung hunter-gatherers. With time, it spread in Asia. Then the benefits of Karela got famous around the world. It is widely used in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia in different types of cuisine.

Active Ingredient: Karela contains a few chemicals, including glycoside, charantin, vicine, karavilosides, and polypeptide-p (plant insulin). These chemicals might improve blood sugar levels by raising the glucose uptake and synthesis of glycogen in the liver, fat, and muscle cells.

It also includes bioactive chemicals, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which all contribute to treating a wide range of illnesses. The fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamins B1, B2 and B3, as well as vitamin B9 (folate).