How a bitter lauki juice could land you in serious trouble. Know from doctors | Health - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

How a bitter lauki juice could land you in serious trouble. Know from doctors

ByParmita Uniyal
Oct 10, 2021 12:57 PM IST

Writer and filmmaker Tahira Kashyap said she was admitted to ICU for two days after suffering from bottle gourd toxicity. Doctors explain how consuming a bitter bottle gourd can be harmful for you.

Writer and filmmaker Tahira Kashyap in an Instagram reel recently revealed how consuming a bitter bottle gourd (lauki) juice landed her in ICU for two days. Kashyap said she suffered bottle gourd toxicity after having a concoction of lauki, amla and haldi that tasted bitter.

Consuming bitter bottle gourd juice can be lethal (Instagram)
Consuming bitter bottle gourd juice can be lethal (Instagram)

Bottle gourd, popularly known as lauki, ghia or dudhi in India, is considered a powerhouse of nutrients and known for controlling diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and liver disease. It is also low on cholesterol and aids in weight loss.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

However, in the past few years there have been reports of suspected toxicity due to consumption of bottle gourd juice leading to severe vomiting and upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Though this kind of toxicity is extremely rare and very few cases have been reported. So, how to know whether or not your lauki is fit for consumption? We spoke to experts to know more about bitter bottle gourd toxicity.

ALSO READ: Tried and Tasted: There are ways to redeem lauki, we’ve found some

Bottle gourd contains compounds like tetracyclic triterpenoid called cucurbitacins which are toxic in nature. Hence it is recommended to taste the bottle gourd before cooking or consuming.

"One should immediately seek medical help if they suffer from any discomfort after consumption of bitter bottle gourd. It can cause abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. It can also cause severe side effects like GI bleeding. Consuming bottle gourd that is not bitter is absolutely fine," says Dr Amreen Shaikh, Dietitian, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central.

Symptoms of Bottle Gourd toxicity

Abdominal pain

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Hematemesis (vomiting of blood)

Hematochezia (bleeding in colon)

Shock and death

One should immediately rush to the hospital and get treatment if one suspects bottle gourd poisoning as it may cause a serious problem.

"Based on my knowledge, one should avoid consuming bitter bottle gourd juice as it may cause a serious problem. There should be awareness of the not known antidote for its toxic effect post-consumption of the juice which may result in discomforts like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal bleeding and one should immediately rush to the hospital and get treated if you suffer from this," says Dr Ushakiran Sisodia, Head Clinical Nutritionist, Nanavati Max Hospital.

Follow more stories on Facebook & Twitter

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On