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Amazing 12 Health Benefits Of Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd)
Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, is a type of squash that is native to India and Southeast Asia. It has a bumpy, warty skin and a green to yellow hue. The flesh is white and slightly sweet. Though it may not be the most popular vegetable in North America, bitter gourd is enjoyed in many other parts of the world for its numerous health benefits. Here are fifteen reasons you should add bitter gourd to your diet!
What is Bitter Melon?
Bitter melon, also known as Balsam pear and Bitter gourd, is a tropical fruit belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Bitter melons are traditionally used in Chinese and Vietnam cuisine for flavouring dishes and curries. However, they can also be eaten raw or in salads and cooked in stir-fries. Bitter Melon was originally used in herbalism by the Vietnamese and Chinese, but it can be found throughout South America, Africa, India, China and the Caribbean. Bitter Melon’s scientific name is Momordica charantia.
Bitter Melon has traditionally been used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis pain. It has also been suggested that Bitter Melon could be helpful with certain types of cancer or AIDS treatment. Bitter melons are often dried and used as a tea or powder.
Bitter melon nutrition:
- Bitter melon contains very less amount of Fat, approx. 0.2 gm, and zero amount of Cholesterol in about 100 gm of each fruit.
- It has a large percentage of minerals. 100 gm of it provides 20% of Potassium and 25% of Magnesium of daily requirement. It also has Zinc, Sodium, Magnesium, Iron, and Copper.
- Bitter melon is a rich source of vitamins. 100 gm of bitter melon provides 50% of daily requirements of vitamin A, 40 % of vitamin B and 90% of vitamin C.
- Cellulose is a dietary fiber which is also found in rich amount in bitter melon.
- Bitter melon has active content named momordicine.
- 100gm of bitter melon provides only 34 calories. That means an average size bitter melon will provide 125-200 calories.
Health benefits of bitter gourd:
What is bitter melon good for? Bitter melon is a good choice in diet for various disorders. Whole fruit is nontoxic and completely edible. Bitter melon benefits heart, liver, kidney, intestine, stomach and other organs. Bitter gourd is a unique vegetable that is often overlooked. However, it has a wealth of health benefits that make it worth adding to your diet. Bitter gourd is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and it can help improve your overall health. Read on to learn more about the health benefits of bitter gourd and how you can add it to your diet.
1. Bitter gourd for diabetes:
Bitter gourd or bitter melon traditionally used as an effective medicine for treating diabetes. Modern researchers also support this theory. Bitter melon contains some active compound like Polypeptide P, Vicine, and Charatin. These compounds mimic human insulin and reduce blood sugar level. Other active contain is momardin, which helps to metabolize carbohydrate and fatty acid. Consuming bitter melon juice on empty stomach with 1/2 spoon turmeric and 2-3 pinch of black pepper is very effective for diabetes.
2. Bitter gourd for liver:
The bitter taste of bitter melon is effective for liver. It stimulates liver contraction and squeezes out its juices. Bitter melon juice is a good home remedy for hepatitis. 1/2 cup or 50 ml of bitter melon Juice with 1 tablespoon lemon juice is a good choice for liver problems.
3. Bitter gourd for acne:
Anti-biotic properties of bitter melon help to reduce pathogens’ activities. It purifies blood and increases blood circulation in acne area. Which, in response make skin beautiful and acne free. For acne, 15 ml of bitter melon juice with 15 ml Aloe vera juice twice in a day is advisable.
4. Bitter gourd for constipation:
Fiber properties of bitter melon help in digestion. It is laxative in nature. It causes watery secretion in intestine which makes stool soft and easily passable through the rectum. 15 ml of bitter melon with 2-3 pinch of black salt is effective for constipation.
5. Bitter gourd for heart:
Bitter melon reduces blood sugar and cholesterol level in blood. It improves blood circulation and removes plaques in arteries. In oriental medicine bitter melon is used as a heart tonic, it improves cardiac muscle tone.
6. Bitter gourd for cancer:
Anti-oxidants present in bitter melon remove most of the cancer-causing agent in blood. Researchers have found some evidence that bitter melon effectively reduces the size of multiple tumors in uterus, bone, and breast. It also enhances the capacity of bones to produce RBC, thus it is also beneficial for leukemia and hemolytic disorder. Consuming 20-25 ml bitter melon juice with aloe vera juice or pomegranate juice is effective.
7. Bitter gourd for weight loss:
The excess amount of fiber and low calories in bitter melon make it a good choice for weight loss regime.
8. Bitter gourd for stomach ulcer:
Bitter melon makes a covering on the ulcer and prevents the ulcer from stomach acid. Anti-biotic properties of bitter melon prevent the ulcer from secondary infection.
9. Bitter gourd to purify blood:
Anti-oxidant properties; diuretic and laxative nature of bitter melon detoxifies the blood and removes all toxins from body either through stool or urine. For blood purification, take 15 ml juice with ½ tablespoon turmeric for 2 weeks. The continuous use will show healthy changes in the skin.
10. Bitter melon for skin disease:
Bitter melon juice is used for skin conditions like eczema, macule, and papule on skin, dark pigmentation and for allergic reaction on the skin.
11. Bitter Gourd for anti-aging:
Anti-oxidants and minerals present in bitter melon make skin glowing. It removes wrinkles, tightens the skin muscles and improves blood circulation.
12. Bitter melon for hair:
Minerals present in bitter melon provide all essential components for hair growth.
Side effects of bitter melon:
- Laxative: Bitter melon has laxative properties, consuming a large amount of bitter melon juice can cause diarrhea.
- Diuretic: Excess amount of bitter gourd juice can increase the urge of urination.
- Appetite: High fiber and bitter taste of bitter melon causes stomach upset and anorexia.
- Cold fever: Bitter melon is excessive cold by its nature. Consuming fresh juice in cold weather can cause cold fever or cold infections.
- Nausea vomit: the Bitter taste of bitter melon induces nausea and vomit in the most patients.
- Allergic reaction: Some people have miner form of allergies with the component of bitter melon. Allergic reaction from bitter melon causes a sore throat, itching and skin rashes.
How to use bitter melon:
- Bitter gourd juice: Fresh juice of bitter gourd should always be preferred than market-based juices, because of preservative.
- Boiled bitter gourd juice: Boiled bitter melon juice has a little less amounts of nutrients. But after boiling it is less bitter and easily digestible. Patient with soft stomach should prefer this.
- Bitter gourd seeds: Seeds of bitter melon don’t have any specific properties. Although it is edible and nontoxic.
- Bitter gourd slice: a ½ slice of bitter melon is a good choice but it is extremely bitter. Fiber quantity is rich in the slice. So if you are on weight loss or diabetic special diet and can tolerate the bitter taste, then this is a good option.
- Rough skin of bitter gourd: it is again nontoxic or edible. It is the main source of anti-oxidants. So this rough skin should not be removed before making juice.
Conclusion:
Bitter melon is a fascinating fruit with many potential health benefits. We’ve listed twelve of the most important ones here, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. If you want to start incorporating bitter melon into your diet, be sure to speak with a healthcare professional to learn more about how it can benefit you specifically. Have you tried bitter melon before? What has been your experience? Let us know in the comments below!
Read more: Pomegranate: Health Benefits in Diabetes, Hypertension, Pregnancy
Disclaimer:
Above article is only for knowledge purpose. Please contact your healthcare provider before using any of above medicine or method. For any query or personal consultation according to your health condition please contact your doctor.
