 |
| Image by |Pixabay |
Bitter melon or bitter gourd originated from India and was
introduced to many parts of the world. It is widely known for its medicinal
benefits. Let's see the top 3 scientifically proven benefits of bitter gourd
or "Momordica charantia".
1. Acts as a natural anti-diabetic
Two studies have proven that bitter gourd helps in diabetes
mellitus by working the same way as diabetic medications.
Study by Chandru S et al compared the efficacy of bitter
gourd juice and glitazone (a type of diabetic drug) in diabetic rats. In animal studies, it is shown that bitter gourd juice had
reduction in blood sugar and was comparable with glitazone.
Authors of this
study postulate that bitter gourd juice works by increasing insulin sensitivity
and causing the pancreas to secrete more insulin.
"Bitter gourd juice proves to reduce blood sugar level"
Study
by Rahman IU et al also reported similar findings among patients with Type
2 Diabetes Mellitus. 95 patients in this study took 2g (60mls) or 4g(120mls) of
bitter gourd juice daily for 10 weeks. Both groups had blood sugar
reduction. Their HBA1C level dropped along with fasting blood glucose
level.
Fuangchan
A et al studied the effect of bitter melon and compared it to
Metformin 1g, a standard first line medication for diabetes mellitus type 2.
They proved that bitter melon juice has blood sugar reducing properties but not
as strong as Metformin. This suggests that bitter melon juice can be used as
supplement for sugar control in people with diabetes.
2. Added values in people with complications of diabetes
Raish
M et al studied the effects of bitter melon juice on the
progression of diabetic kidney disease. Normally in patients with uncontrolled
diabetes, many complications develop over time.
 |
| Image by |Pixabay |
Kidney failure is one of it, and it causes many patients to
be dependent on dialysis machine for the rest of their life. Other than
that some patients develop nerve problems, in which patients will feel numbness
and tingling over their feet. Some may even lose balance.
|
|
Study
by Kim JW also proves that kidney functions improves with bitter melon
juice . This study
focuses mainly on combined effect of oats and bitter melon
on sugar level and diabetic nephropathy. But significant reduce in blood sugar
and protective effects on kidneys are shown even in rats that were only treated
with bitter melon juice. But again, this study did not talk on those with
established kidney disease.
From preliminary information available largely from animal
studies, it appear that bitter melon juice helps in reduction of blood sugar level and prevention of
diabetic kidney disease. Bitter melon juice has anti-oxidant properties and
anti-diabetic properties which help to achieve this.
How to prepare fresh bitter melon juice
 |
| Image by |Pixabay |
Use unripe fresh bitter melon
Wash thoroughly, cut the melon and remove the seeds
Use electric juicer to extract the juice
This method is used in the study by scientists Rahman et
al.
They prepared the bitter melon juice in this manner, and proceeded to
freeze it to make it into powder form but it' s not necessary for personal use.
They discovered anti-diabetic benefits at 2g of bitter gourd juice powders. 2g
of powder is equivalent to 60mls of bitter gourd juice.
For further reading:
No comments:
Post a Comment