Bitter Melon – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

06/21/2017 / By Tim Wesley

Bitter melons may look unusual and the name may make you think twice about eating it but don’t be fooled. These gourds, which go by various names like balsam pear, bittergurke, goya, and caraille, are actually good for your body. They may taste bitter but their effects are sweet.

List of known nutrients

The magic of bitter melons are found in their nutritional content:

Copper
Folic acid
Magnesium
Manganese
Pantothenic acid
Potassium
Riboflavin
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc

Medicinal uses for bitter melon

Bitter melon is a known diabetes treatment. Health experts note that the leaves of the gourd produce a hypoglycemic effect (lowers blood sugar). It’s also believed to have anti-cancer properties. The antioxidants present in this vegetable destroy free radicals. It can reduce tumor growth for prostate, cervical, and breast cancer patients. A diet that includes this will fortify your body’s defenses against diseases like kidney damage, liver failure, and heart attack. It’s also an effective treatment for hemorrhoids because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

You can also treat fungal infections by eating bitter melon. Its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties can also eliminate toxins from the bloodstream. Furthermore, it can treat psoriasis and ringworm as well as fever, diabetes, and constipation.

Its antioxidants will eliminate free radicals and protect the body from illnesses. It also serves as an effective natural laxative which helps move food down the digestive tract. Regular intake can alleviate constipation and promote healthy gut bacteria and nutrient absorption.

Since it’s an excellent source of essential nutrients, bitter melon can reduce infection rates, improve muscle activity, maintain strong and healthy bones, and improve blood pressure. You can also count on it to have glowing skin and improved eyesight.

Still, health experts caution pregnant women from eating bitter melon as the gourd has been associated with preterm labor.

Body systems supported by bitter melon

Regular intake of bitter melon can be good for both your digestive and urinary systems since it contains antioxidants that help prevent kidney damage and liver failure. Its healthy hepatic properties will help the liver better remove harmful toxins and cleanse impurities in the blood. Don’t forget that it also possesses anthelmintic compounds that kill intestinal worms and remove the harmful toxins they leave behind in the body. You can also count on this gourd to give you a strong immunity system by killing free radicals and eliminating toxins from the body. The antioxidants help build the body’s defenses so you’re not at risk of infections and diseases.

Ways to use bitter melon

Because of its bitter taste, it’s not unusual for some to look the other way. But if you want to enjoy its health benefits, you just have to get creative. You can stir fry it with pork or beef. Some can even make bitter melon chips. If you’ve grown used to the taste, you can take it a notch higher by making bitter melon juice or tea.