Karela, also known as bitter gourd or bitter melon, is a type of tropical and subtropical vine that produces edible fruits. It has a dark green skin and a white flesh with many seeds. Karela has a bitter and sharp taste that can be reduced by salting, soaking, or cooking. Karela is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. It can help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation, and prevent infections and cancer. You can use karela as a vegetable, a pickle, a juice, or a medicine. Karela is a bitter but beneficial fruit that can offer many health benefits.