BITTER GOURD OR BITTER MELON – Bitter but effective Diabetes Medicine.

I have explained about the benefits of Onion in my previous post. Now I will give some usages of another anti-diabetic natural vegetable namely BITTER GOURD. It is also known as Bitter Melon or Bitter Squash. It resembles cucumber with bumpy skin. See the pictures below

Chinese Variety

Subcontinent Variety Author: FlyingToaster

Bitter Gourd contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and minerals like iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium etc., with high dietary fibre. This vegetable possesses significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is said to contain every antiviral properties and to stimulate the immune system. 

Bitter Gourd contains very low calories – e.g. just about 17 calories in 100 gms.

Bitter Gourd has been used in various medicine systems for quite a long time. It is very effective in helping type II diabetic patients since it contains medicinal property of POLYPEPTIDE-P or P-Insulin which helps to lower blood sugar levels. It plays an important role in Glycaemic control. It is learnt that regular intake of bitter Gourd along with food could help to control diabetes effectively. You can read much more about Bitter Guords' anti-diabetic properties in this article here.

Compounds present in this vegetable may help in treating HIV infection. Since it has got anti-malarial properties, it is used to prevent malaria.

Bitter Melon is an excellent source of vitamin C which serves as powerful antioxidant. This bitter Gourd is very useful for easy digestion and for easy bowls movements there preventing constipation. Bitter melon’s extracts will help in preventing cancers due to its anticancer properties.

With so many healing properties – there is even a website about Bitter Melon started by a few enthusiasts. Check out the health articles here - http://bittermelon.org/heal/healthbenefits

Bitter Gourd can be taken as juice with water. You can use 10 gms of bitter melon juice twice daily with water for two or three months can help even to eliminate sugar problems.

In India this vegetable is very common part of the diet and people are getting its medicinal benefits. And this vegetable is widely used in Indian traditional medicines especially for treating type II diabetes.

My advice is diabetic patients to take bitter gourd in any form with their meals so that it will help to reduce the blood glucose levels.