Bitter Melon Benefits

Many people label vegetables like broccoli and kale as “superfoods” although there is hardly enough evidence to back it up. On the other hand, one of the most beneficial vegetables that is not well known is Bitter Melon. When consumed, bitter melon can noticeable boost the overall health of a person.

What is Bitter Melon?

Bitter Melon is a pod vegetable that is popular in many Asian countries. It is one of the most widely grown vegetables and the edible pod is one of the bitterest vegetables on the planet.

Bitter melon grows well in tropical climates, which is why it is primarily grown in southeast Asia. Bitter melon is in the cucumber family and the plant grows fast and is a climbing vine with thin stems.

The pods of biter melon look like small pebbles. Immature pods are light or dark green and have a pointed tip. The flesh inside is white with rough seeds. The fruits when ripe turn yellow or orange.

Health Benefits of Bitter Melon

Bitter melon has dozens of benefits and bitter melon supports the overall health of the body. Here are some of the benefits of bitter gourd (melon).

– Bitter melon is a low-calorie vegetable at just 17 calories per 100g. Its’ pods are rich in essential nutrients like dietary fiber, antioxidants, and several vitamins and minerals.

– Bitter melon has a high concentration of the phytonutrient polypeptide-p, which is known to lower blood sugar levels. It also contains a powerful compound named charantin, which increases glycogen synthesis in liver, muscle, and fat tissue.

– The pods of bitter melon are a great source of folates, with a serving containing about 18% of the recommended daily amount.

– Bitter melon is said to help control diabetes by regulating blood glucose levels. In addition, bitter melon also helps regulate insulin production as well.

– Vitamin A and other anti-aging compounds found in bitter melon help support hair and skin health. Bitter melon is commonly used as a natural anti-aging remedy due to its’ potent collagen boosting compounds.

– Vitamin C is present in abundant levels in bitter melon. 100g of rad pod contains about 84mg of vitamin-C. Vitamin C’s immune boosting benefits are well known and immediately felt after consuming bitter melon.

– Flavonoids like b-carotene, a-carotene, and lutein help protect the body from free radicals and other harmful agents in the body that cause sickness and disease.

– Biter melon helps regulate digestion and can help relieve indigestion, constipation, and other digestive problems.

– Some early research indicates that bitter melon might be effective in managing and treating HIV.

Bitter Melon Side Effects

Bitter melon does contain alkaloid substances like quinine and morodicine, which are sometimes not tolerated well by some people. The bitterness is also not tolerated by many people, although boiling bitter melon can alleviate the bitterness.

In some cases, you may experience minor side effects while taking bitter melon. These symptoms may include excessive salivation, facial redness, stomach pain, diarrhea, or nausea. In most cases, the symptoms are only short-lived, although they can persist in rare cases.

Bitter Melon Supplements

Due to the amazing health benefits of bitter melon, more and more people are using it to support their overall health. Since bitter melon is not commonly grown in the United States, most people rely on bitter melon supplements. Bitter melon supplements are just as beneficial as bitter melon pods and are often cheaper to use.

When buying bitter melon supplements, make sure to purchase 100% pure bitter melon extract. This will ensure that you purchase a bitter melon supplement that is both safe and effective.