In coastal Indian homes, kokum fruit is usually soaked in warm water before being squeezed to make juice. For a long time, it has been more than just a cool summer drink. People drink it all year as a flavoring, as a cleanser, or even to add a special kick of flavor to food. It is usually drunk after big meals or with rich meals to aid digestion, especially in Konkan and Goan homes.
Now, experts are interested in kokum (scientifically called garcinia indica) because it might help with acidity, gas, and bloating. The question is timely. Can a glass of kokum juice in the afternoon really help? Digestive problems are becoming more common in India’s cities. To find out, we need to look at the exact ingredients in kokum that make it more nutritious.
Should you drink kokum juice in the afternoon to relieve acidity, gas, and bloating?
The short answer is yes, as many studies have shown that kokum juice from the fruit can help improve the digestive system. This drink contains a lot of hydroxycitric acid. This acid is known to help digestion and ease stomach pain caused by acidity. It can also help soothe the stomach lining because it is anti inflammatory, making it a good choice for people with digestive problems. In kokum juice, there are chemicals that help digestion in the following ways:
- Hydroxycitric acid- This chemical is found in kokum fruit and is linked to better digestion and less fat processing.
- Garcinol is a chemical compound found in plants that can help reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage.
- Anthocyanins are natural colours that protect the gut wall as antioxidants.
A study published in Era’s Journal of Medical Research in 2023 reports that kokum can be used to treat stomach issues such as diarrhoea and dysentery. A number of recent pharmaceutical studies also show that it can help with stomach pain by fighting ulcers and free radicals.
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The Benefits of Timing
If you normally make kokum juice in the morning by soaking kokum fruit slices, you should really drink it in the afternoon. Because it helps when taken before a meal, it prepares the gut for what’s coming next. Taking this preventative step not only improves digestion but also helps the body absorb nutrients more effectively, which is good for digestive health in general.
Not only is kokum juice good for the stomach, but studies such as the College of Pharmacy Review (2022) also show that it helps regulate gastric fluids and reduce bloating. Era’s Journal of Medical Research (2023) and the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, on the other hand, say that drinking kokum juice in the afternoon may be especially good for the following:
- Help after lunch– Eating a lot of food can make you acidic, but kokum juice can neutralise the acid buildup.
- Cooling effect– Kokum naturally cools, which makes bloating less common in warm climes.
- Digestive aid– Eating in the afternoon coincides with the digestive system’s busiest time, which makes it easier for gas to form.
- Antiulcer qualities– Kokum has antiulcer and antioxidant properties, which is why it has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda to help stomach pain, acidity, and gas.
Hydroxycitric acid and garcinol were also studied as stomach lining protectors.
According to a phytopharmacological assessment of Nashik, India, kokum helps regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and gastrointestinal health due to magnesium and potassium.
Kokum Juice Risks and Things to Think About
Even though kokum juice is generally healthy, there are some things you should know about it
If you drink too much kokum juice, it may lower your blood sugar. This could be dangerous for people with pre existing blood sugar problems, so be careful and talk to a doctor for advice.
Women who are pregnant should talk to their doctors before drinking kokum juice every day.
Processed kokum syrups may contain added sugar, which reduces some of their health benefits. So, get the whole kokum juice and soak it in warm water. Leave it soaked for the full soaking. Then grind it so that as many nutrients as possible remain in the soaking water.
Kokum juice is becoming known as a natural, traditional, and scientifically proven way to treat acidity, gas, and bloating. It seems to work best when taken in the afternoon, when it’s in sync with stomach processes and provides cooling relief. There needs to be more research in humans, but research from Indian magazines and Ayurvedic practice shows that kokum juice might be a good addition to modern diets. Especially for people in India’s cities, a lot of whom have stomach problems.
