Gac seeds Momordica cochinchinensis seeds

 Gac (Momordica Cochinchinensis Spreng) is a tropical fruit found in Vietnam and other regions of Southeast Asia where it is valued for many important health benefits.
 It is esteemed as the “fruit from heaven” and is prized for its ability to promote longevity, vitality, and health*. Unknown to indigenous folks, gac is a fountain of antioxidants, as recent research unveiled.

Traditionally, gac has been used as both food and medicine in the regions in which it grows. Other than the use of its fruit and leaves for special Vietnamese culinary dishes, gac is also used for its medicinal and nutritional properties. In Vietnam, the seed membranes are said to aid in the relief of dry eyes, as well as to promote healthy vision.Similarly, in traditional chinese medicine the seeds of gac, are employed for a variety of internal and external purposes

Recently, attention has been attracted to gac in the West because chemical analysis of the fruit suggests it has high concentrations of several important phytonutrients.
The fruit contains by far the highest content of beta-carotene (vitamin A) of any known fruit or Vegetable. Research has confirmed that the beta-carotene in the fruit is highly bioavailable. In a double-blind study with 185 children, some were given a dish containing 3.5 mg beta-carotene from spiny bitter gourd, while others were given an identical-looking dish containing 5 mg beta-carotene powder. After 30 days, the former group eating natural beta-carotene had significantly greater plasma (blood) levels of beta-carotene than the latter with synthetic beta-carotene.This oil also included high levels of vitamin E. The fatty acids in the aril , are important for the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, including carotenoids, in a diet typically low in fat.
Due to its high content of beta-carotene and lycopene, gac is often sold as a food supplement in soft capsules.