HEALTH BENEFITS OF PATOLA: Don't Judge a Veggie by It's Rough Look

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"Pulis patola" is a term popularized in Filipino movies on supposedly lousy cops. It denotes an inept policeman trained in a far-flung province where cops know nothing except probably to eat and sleep. But in the Filipino movies, the rustic "patola" cop turns out to be a good and skillful cop who manages to ruin a powerful syndicate singlehandedly.

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Thus, "patola" or sponge gourd is a common rough-looking vegetable almost nobody pays attention to (some even smirks at the sigh to fit) and considered low class vegetable. Why "sponge" gourd? The core of the fruit looks like crude sponge, but it sure doesn't taste like one. Patola is  often mixed in soups, especially plain and ordinary miswa soup to add some sweet flavor to it. It's also cheap--just perfect for anyone aiming for health and fitness with middle income budget.

Here are some of its health benefits:

• It's low in calories. If you're trying to lose weight, eat more of this to feel full and yet gain almost zero calories.
• Has pro-Vitamin A and Vitamins B and C
• Contains Beta-Carotene
• It has a potential anti-cancer property and is especially anti-lung cancer
• The seed extract is anti-ulcer
• It protects the heart and anti-diabetic
• It has antioxidants
• Very rich in dietary fibers which you need for digestive health

Mind you, I love patola. My wife knows it. My family doesn't show a special fondness to it but I do. I love it in miswa soup, chopped suey or mixed in thick miki noodles. It sweetens soups and saucy vegetable dishes with a subtle watery sweetness that you know is healthy--almost like sweet coconut juice.

And for more patola health benefits, see the video below!

If you want to be healthy but doesn't have the budget to buy costly health supplements, well, eat more patola or sponge gourd from now on.