Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd is an oriental plant. The bitter melon benefits are known to men for centuries. It is an excellent organic way to treat cholesterol, bloating, and infections. Here we will talk about the benefits of bitter melon, its efficacy for diabetes, bitter melon recipe and its side effects.
According to a few studies, it is useful for obesity and heart health. The bitter melon extracts can treat many common diseases.
Bitter melon is a member of the cucurbit family and is a tropical plant. It is mostly grown in Asia and Africa where it is widely categorized as the bitterest fruit with bumpy skin. The best months for its cultivation are September and October.
Bitter melon is available in multiple shapes. Its bitter taste is distinctive and is mostly a part of Oriental cuisines. The bitter melon benefits are the reason why it is widely used.
[Also Read: Benefits of Winter Melon for Health]
There are many unexpected bitter melon benefits you are unaware of. Check them out:
Many studies tried to prove and encourage people to choose alternative medicine and treatment to treat diseases like type II Diabetes. Drinking bitter guard juice or decoctions to treat diabetes is an age-old practice in Oriental countries(1).
Elements like polypeptide-P are similar to organic insulin. This element is present in bitter melon. Apart from this component, other components like steroidal saponins, charantin, and alkaloids are part of the phytochemical composition of bitter melon. These components help to reduce blood sugar level.
[Also Read: Foods for Diabetes]
If you have low immunity or quickly get infected and suffer from common diseases, then adding bitter melon in your daily diet can be helpful for you. It is full of antioxidants, which act as a powerful defense system against viruses or infections. Bitter melon is also high in Vitamin C.
The anti-inflammatory agents of bitter melon can treat or give you relief if you are suffering from piles or a health condition known as hemorrhoids. Make a paste from the bitter melon root and apply it on arterial swelling to get relief from pain. This paste can stop bleeding as well. You can also address any other kind of skin issues and soreness with this homemade salve.
[Also Read: Natural Treatments to get rid of Hemorrhoids ]
For a better eye-health, we need specific components, such as β-carotene, lutein, α-carotene, and zeaxanthin. Bitter melon contains all of these. These properties boost our eyesight. They can reverse the effects of age on our vision and fight free radicals. Thus preventing the risk of eye-related complications.
Bitter melon can give you relief from respiratory issues like bronchitis and asthma. The anti-inflammatory, anti-histaminic and anti-viral components of bitter melon aid better respiratory functions by preventing respiratory problems or infections. It eases the clogged portion of the respiratory tract as well.
Free radicals are harmful to cells. It quickens aging and triggers various physical complications such as cancer. The abundance of anti-oxidants in bitter melon can fight these dangerous free-radicals and boost our body’s natural defense system to prevent frequent and severe diseases.
Bitter melon is also rich in anti-carcinogenic and anti-tumor properties. According to a few studies, consumption of bitter melon can prevent breast, prostate and cervical cancer. It has organic chemotherapy agents which are useful for the cancer patients.
Bitter melon is high in vitamin K. Vitamin K naturally improves our body’s natural blood clotting ability. It also aids calcium absorption and distribution in our body and boosts the bone density. As a result, the risk of bone fracture is reduced. If you have osteoporosis, then consuming bitter melon can help you.
A kidney stone is indeed a painful health condition. Bitter melon can naturally break the kidney stones and help flush them out. It also reduces the high acid which creates these dangerous kidney stones by bitter melon.
Every 100 gram serving of bitter melon provides 17 calories. Thus, its a great food option for weight loss due to its low calories and high dietary fiber. Apart from that, it is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals as well.
[Also Read: Vegetables to Help You Lose Weight]
Effectiveness for diabetes is included Bitter melon benefits. There are a lot of researches and studies conducted to prove and test its efficacy. You can also consider it as an herbal remedy.
It has three anti-diabetic components which include vicine, natural insulin called polypeptide-p and charantin. Charantin can reduce blood sugar level, and it is already proved. All of these components are individually effective and can work together as well to combat diabetes.
Another substance known as lectin is capable of reducing glucose concentration in blood and suppresses appetite. Its activity is somewhat similar to insulin.
To get the bitter melon benefits, you can try this following recipe:
The hot and crispy bitter melon is ready!
Bitter Melon is safe for many people, and everyone can bet on the bitter melon benefits. But long term use of bitter melon can cause some issues. You should be aware of the following side-effects: