Snake gourd (Telugu: Potla Kaya )

పొట్లకాయ పేరు చెప్పగానే చాలా మంది వికారంగా మొహం పెడతారు గానీ, అందులో బోలెడన్ని ఆరోగ్య ప్రయోజనాలు ఉన్నాయంటున్నారు నిపుణులు. దీనిలో నీటితో పాటు, పీచు ఎక్కువ, కేలరీలు తక్కువగా ఉంటాయి. బరువు తగ్గాలనుకునేవారు ఆహారంలో తరచు పొట్లకాయ తీసుకుంటే సన్నగా తయారవుతారని చెబు తున్నారు. వీటిని వేసవిలో తీసుకోవడం వలన శరీరం చల్లగా ఉంటుంది. దీనిలోని పోషకాలు గుండెకు మంచి టానిక్‌గా పనిచేస్తాయట! ఇంకా కొన్ని రోగాలను దూరంగా తరిమేసే శక్తి దీనికి ఉందంటున్నారు నిపుణులు.

Snake gourd is very rich source of mineral elements. 

 T. cucumerina seeds contain 

iron (187mg/kg DM), 

zinc (37.5mg/kg DM), 

calcium (1643mg/kg DM), 

magnesium (1896mg/kg DM), and 

potassium (8704mg/kg DM). 

Total fiber content of T. cucumerina leaves :  12g/100g

. Snake gourd peel and flesh is an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber. Adequate dietary fiber helps in smooth bowel movements and offers protection against colon cancers by eliminating toxic compounds from the gut.

the seed is richly endowed with crude protein (26.2-26.6 g 100 g-1), fat(44.6-57.2 g 100 g-1), phosphorous (78.0-81.5 g 100 g-1)and calcium (41.0-46.7 g 100g1) (Table 2)while the fruit pulp contain high level of ascorbic acid (23.1-23.3 mg 100g-1) The fruit is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin C

 Snake gourd fruit also has less sodium but contains good amounts of potassium, an important intra-cellular electrolyte. Potassium is a heart-friendly electrolyte that helps in decreasing blood pressure and heart rates by countering the pressing effects of sodium. The fruits of cultivated forms also have medicinal uses and are useful for people suffering from blood pressure, heart diseases, rheumatism and psoriasis. The fruit pulp extract is used in treating cough

Snake gourd has a higher inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity which delays the digestion of carbohydrate thereby reducing the glucose releasing rate and consequently lowers the increase in postprandial plasma glucose thus, help in reduction of blood sugar. 

Using hot water extract of aerial parts of snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucurmerina) has noted to improve glucose tolerance and tissue glycogen in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus induced rats. Study showed the drug possess antidiabetic activity with improvement in oral glucose tolerance and glucose uptake in peripheral tissues . 

The hot aqueous extract of root tubers of snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucurmerina) have investigated against carrageen in induced mouse’s hind paw oedema and it showed significant anti-inflammatory activity . 

Snake gourd can be used to make a decoction for treatment of feverish condition. Snake gourd functions as an expectorant, loosening pus and phlegm in the sinuses and respiratory tracts so that they can be eliminated . Snake gourd being rich in carotene content is helpful in hair growth

Food class Composition Calories 86.2 

Total Fat 3.9g 

Saturated Fat 0.5 

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.6 g 

Monounsaturated Fat 1.6 g 

Total Carbohydrate 12.5 g 

Dietary Fiber 0.6 g 

Sugars 0.6 g 

Pantothenic Acid 3.0 % 

Vitamin B12 0.0 % 

Vitamin B6 11.3 % 

Vitamin C 30.5 % 

Vitamin D 0.0 % 

Vitamin E 1.1 % 

Calcium 5.1 % 

Copper 4.4 % 

Folate 5.6 % 

Riboflavin 2.7 % 

Selecnium 3.1 % 

Thiamin 5.2%