Amazing Blood Sugar Lowering Effect of Bitter Melon, According to Ayurveda

Numerous studies have revealed the blood sugar lowering effect of bitter melon, an extremely bitter vegetable popular in Asian cuisine. Ayurveda researchers have also touted this vegetable for its range of health benefits.

The bitter melon (Scientific name: Momordica charantia), also known as bitter gourd, Karela (India), bitter apple, bitter squash; balsam-pear, Fu kwa (China), and Ampalaya (Phillipines), is an annual climbing plant with hand-shaped, five-lobed leaves that are 5 to 12 cm in diameter. The yellow flowers develop into cucumber-like, knobbed, slightly curved fruits (5 to 15 cm long) that are initially green, then turn orange-yellow when ripe and finally burst.

In Asian cuisine, bitter melon, whose health-promoting effects have been known in folk medicine for centuries, is very valued and often used as a vegetable. The fruits are eaten unripe, green and in various ways, but always cut and marinated with salt to remove the bitter taste. The ripe fruit is described as too toxic and too bitter.

Nutrition

In addition to the high protein, mineral and carbohydrate and low fat content, calcium, carotene, riboflavin, vitamins A and vitamin C were found in bitter melon. Triterpene glycosides (momordicine and momordicoside) were isolated from leaves, seeds and fruit.

The following compounds obtained from the fruit and seeds of bitter melon are of particular interest with regard to the pharmacological effects:

Charantin, a mixture of b-sitosterol-bD-glucoside and a-5.25-stigmastadiene-3-O-β-D-glucoside in a ratio of 1: 1 with suspected hypoglycemic effects.

p-insulin with high homology to bovine insulin, but not immunologically cross-reactive, also shows blood sugar-lowering effects when injected. It might be sublingually active.

the antiviral proteins MAP 30 (Momordica anti-protein) and RIPs (ribosome inactivating proteins), whereby the protein MAP30 inhibits HIV-1 infection and virus replication in vitro.

a — and b -Momorcharin, ribosome inactivating and immunomodulatory glycoproteins with anti-tumor activity, as well as abortive properties in animal experiments.

The fruit juice itself is a powerful peroxide and hydroxyl radical scavenger that does not lose its effectiveness even after 45 minutes of boiling with alkali or acid.

What does Ayurveda say about bitter melon?

According to Ayurvedic medicine, bitter melon is Kapha dosha and Pitta doshashamak which means it pacifies aggravated Kapha and Pitta doshas. However, bitter gourd does not increase Vata dosha. Bitter melon benefits these doshas when they’re aggravated.

The unripe fruits, seeds, roots and leaves of bitter melon are used in traditional Indian medicine. Incidentally, in a recent study, probiotics fermented bitter melon juice showed even better results.

Part of plant used and dosage: Fruit and whole plant. with a dosage for Swarasa or fresh juice being 10–20 ml.

Bitter melon juice or powder

Bitter melon in any form — juice, powder or raw — works wonders in managing diabetes. If you have diabetes, drink 20 ml of bitter gourd juice the first thing in the morning or 1 teaspoon of dried powder with warm water. This will keep your blood sugar level in check.

Blood sugar lowering effect on humans

The hypoglycemic effects of the fruit of bitter melon and its polar extracts have been successfully studied in various animal models since the middle of the last century, especially in connection with blood sugar and diabetes. The effect on humans is confirmed again and again in observations and smaller studies with small numbers of participants and inadequate study design, detailed clinical studies are still lacking.

As early as 1940, researchers were able to confirm the blood sugar-lowering effect of bitter melon on healthy rabbits. This was followed by numerous successful animal experiments. Various studies have been carried out on humans — mostly with fresh juice or bitter melon extract — each with a small number of test persons. The randomization as well as the placebo and comparison group were missing.

In India, Karela juice is considered an excellent beverage for diabetics. Bitter melon helps regulate the blood sugar in your body. Bangalore-based Nutritionist Dr. Anju Sood explains, “Karela juice makes your insulin active. When your insulin is active, your sugar would be used adequately and not convert into fat, which would eventually help in weight loss too”

According to studies, bitter gourd has a few active substances with anti-diabetic properties. One of them is charantin, which is famous for its blood glucose-lowering effect. Bitter gourd contains an insulin-like compound called Polypeptide-p or p-insulin which has been shown to control diabetes naturally. These substances either work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels.

The blood sugar lowering effect of bitter melon certainly offers interesting support in the treatment of type 2 diabetes under the supervision of the attending physician.

Another study analyzed the glucose values ​​of 18 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients who consumed 100 ml of bitter melon juice after 30 minutes. 13 patients (73%) showed a moderate, significant improvement in blood sugar tolerance test results.

Aqueous extract more effective than dried fruit powder

In another study, scientists examined the effects of an aqueous extract on the one hand. This consisted of 100g of chopped bitter melon fruit, which was boiled in 200ml of water to a volume of 100ml. The patients consumed the extract as a morning dose. A second group consumed 5g of dried fruit powder 3 times a day. After three weeks of treatment, the patients in group 2 showed a 25% reduction in the mean blood glucose value, which was not significant. In contrast, researchers in Group 1 observed a significant 54% reduction in blood glucose levels. In addition, the mean HbA1c value decreased from 8.37 to 6.95%.

Effective in non-insulin dependent patients

Researchers were finally able to confirm the blood sugar-lowering effect of an extract of bitter melon in 41 non-insulin-dependent patients aged 40 to 90 years with a diabetic metabolic situation.

Side effects of bitter melon

Pregnancy and breast feeding period

The bottom line is that women should avoid taking bitter melon during pregnancy. Because two proteins isolated from the unripe fruit — momorcharin A and B — showed an abortive effect in the animal model.

Bitter melon uses in children

In any case, experts advise against the use of bitter melon in children due to the unclear data situation. Also because of the already mentioned case reports of hypoglycemic coma and convulsions after the administration of a tea.

Allergy

Finally, you should avoid bitter melon if you are known to have allergies or hypersensitivity to representatives of the Cucurbitaceae (pumpkin and melon).

Fertility

A decrease in fertility has been demonstrated in animal experiments. The fertility rate of mice fed bitter melon juice daily decreased from 90 to 20%. In dogs fed M. charantia extract for 60 days, spermatogenesis was inhibited. However, studies with the antiviral protein MAP30 showed no effect on the mobility of human sperm in vitro.

How to make bitter melon juice?

1. Slice 3–4 bitter gourds to the center.

2. Once you are done slicing, scoop out the white flesh and the seeds of the vegetable. Now, take the bitter gourd and cut them into tiny pieces.

3. Add bitter gourd pieces to a juicer and add half teaspoon sea salt/black salt, half-inch long ginger (or ginger powder), and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Add water. Blend the ingredients well till you get a fine consistency. If it’s too thick, add more water.

5. Take a strainer, place it on your glass or tumbler and pour the juice from the blender into the glass.

If you have diabetes, drink 20 ml of bitter melon juice the first thing in the morning. This will keep your blood sugar level in check.