Bitter Melon | Health Benefits of Bitter Melon

Healthy Blood Sugar Level Management

Bitter Melon Background and Benefits

The scientific name for bitter melon is Momordica charantia, which also has other common names such as balsam-pear, bitter gourd and bitter squash. This tropical vine originated from the Indian subcontinent, although it was introduced to China during the 14th century. Bitter melon is now cultivated throughout tropical regions of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

Bitter melon is primarily grown for its edible fruit, although its shape and flavor is highly dependent on the specific variety. The herbaceous vines can exceed 15 feet in length. The leaves have up to seven lobes and may reach a diameter of four inches. Each plant bears flowers of both genders, which bloom in early summer.

The rind and fruit of the bitter melon is typically eaten as a vegetable while it is still green. It has a slightly bitter flavor at this stage, with a crunchy, watery texture. The fruit becomes sweeter and the rind more bitter as the fruit ripens. The rind of the fully ripe fruit is typically unpalatable, so it is usually discarded.

Bitter melon also has a well-established use in various systems of herbal medicine in Africa and Asia, especially India. All parts of the plant are used in the Ayurvedic system, most often for digestive ailments. Additional uses of bitter melon in Ayurveda include remedies for ailments of the respiratory system, joints and skin. The biologically active components in bitter melon include charantin, momordicilin and momordenol.

Uses of Bitter Melon

The most common use of bitter melon extract in modern herbal medicine is supporting the body’s ability to manage healthy blood sugar levels. Additional uses include supporting wound recovery, digestive support and antioxidant benefits.

Antioxidant support

Bitter melon has several components with significant antioxidant properties such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Healthy blood sugar level management

Bitter melon may help support the body’s ability to manage healthy blood sugar levels, according to some studies. The mechanism of this effect is the inhibition of enzymes that break down carbohydrates into sugar such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase.

Digestive health support

Bitter melon may help to manage digestive problems such as constipation and indigestion. This effect is the result of facilitating the persistalis of food through the intestines.

Wound recovery support

Oral supplements of bitter melon may help to manage internal wounds such as peptic ulcers.

Signs You May Need Bitter Melon

Metabolic syndrome is the most significant indication that you may benefit from bitter melon. Similar conditions that may be helped by bitter melon include an unhealthy glucose tolerance and HbA1c level, which is a measure of blood sugar control. Constipation, indigestion and peptic ulcers may also mean that bitter melon extract could help you. The antioxidant activity of bitter melon components may benefit age-related conditions that affect the skin.