Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, Balsam Peat, or Karela, has an awfully acrid taste. However, the fruit contains a number of health benefits, particularly hypoglycemic abilities These benefits include boosting the immune system, improve eyesight, relieving asthma, treating diabetes, regulating blood sugar, relieving hemorrhoid, treating skin conditions, and even preventing cancer.
Interestingly, that’s not all this amazing fruit does—let’s take a look at the many benefits of this bitter vegetable.
Enhances Immunity
When added to your diet, bitter melon fruit or even its juice can speed up the healing process for common illnesses and reduces the risk of infections. Bitter melon is rich in antioxidants by constituting a strong defense against various viruses. These antioxidants combat free radicals within the body and flush out harmful compounds that may lead to a host of ailments. In fact, bitter melon has a rich Vitamin C content, making it a powerful antioxidant.
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Bitter melon is also effective for helping to lower bad cholesterol levels, which in turn prevents the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in arterial walls. When the arteries are decongested, the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke are significantly reduced.
Prevents the Proliferation of Cancer Cell
We all know how dangerous free radicals are; they set out to destroy healthy cells, which speeds up aging and result in a number of health complications, including cancer. Thankfully, bitter melon is rich in antioxidants that attack free radical effects as well as strongly defend against certain diseases. In addition to its high antioxidant content, it contains anti-tumor and anti-carcinogenic components. As a matter of fact, some studies have suggested a connection between consuming bitter melon and the reduction of tumors in people with cervical, prostate, and breast cancer. These studies indicate a link between the fruit and cancer prevention.
Promotes Bone Health
Bitter lemon is rich in Vitamin K, a nutrient that helps to regulate blood clotting and also help in the distribution of calcium throughout the body. When this happens, it increases bone density and lowers the risk of suffering a bone fracture. People with osteoporosis are often advised to should consider consuming foods rich in vitamin K like the bitter melon. When there’s a lack of vitamin K, it may cause bruising, a defective blood clotting, bone fractures, and heavy menstrual bleeding as well.
Hemorrhoid Relief
Bitter melon has anti-inflammatory properties that are effective for people who have piles or hemorrhoids.
Promotes Digestion and Weight Loss
Did you know that for every serving that is worth hundred gram, bitter melon has just 17 calories? It may be low in calories; the fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. These dietary fibers can improve digestion at significant levels and encourage weight loss.
Treats Diabetes
The consumption of bitter melon is a common practice for the management of diabetes. Some components of the bitter melon, especially polypeptide-P, have structural compositions similar to animal insulin. The phytochemical composition of the bitter melon contains alkaloids, charantin, and steroidal saponins. A regular consumption of bitter melon- be it fruit, juice, or dried powder can lead to additive effects when taken with conventional hypoglycemic medication.
Addresses Skin Conditions
Bitter melon can be used as a treatment for skin conditions. The antibacterial and antifungal and components in the bitter melon combats a host of skin infections such as scabies, ringworm, and even psoriasis, an auto-immune condition.
Relieves Asthma
Bitter gourd is effective in helping to minimize the symptoms of certain respiratory conditions such as hay fever, bronchitis, sleeplessness, and asthma. Additionally, bitter melon contains anti-viral, anti-histaminic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes the nutrient beneficial to maintaining a healthy respiratory process.
Betters Eyesight
Bitter melon is popular for its eye-health that helps improve including α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin –flavonoids. They enhance eyesight, macular degeneration, and night vision. These compounds help to fight the side effects of growing old, eliminating free radicals that are responsible for numerous health complications.
Treats HIV and Herpes
Some studies suggest that the phytochemical capabilities of bitter melon prevent the activity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS. Similarly, early studies suggest that bitter melon, with its antiviral properties, can treat people with herpes simplex virus-1, and inhibit other people from getting infected with herpetic plaques.
The Bottom Line
The bitter melon may appear and taste somewhat awful, but its bitterness comes with a range of health benefits. Yes, it contains anti-viral, anti-parasitic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, and anti-fungal properties.
