Bitter melon can help lower blood sugar
Some studies show that compounds in bitter melon can help reduce blood sugar levels. In particular, for people with prediabetes, bitter melon can help control blood sugar if taken in the right dosage.
Bittle melon extract at a dose of about 2,000mg/day can help reduce blood sugar slightly, says Ross Phan, a certified pharmaceutical expert in the US. However, this is only the initial result. More research is needed before confirming that bitter melon can replace medication".
Can help lose weight, fight oxidation
100g of bitter melon contains about 2g of fiber, which helps slow down digestion and reduce hunger. In addition, bitter melon also contains antioxidants such as flavonoids and vitamin C, which help protect cells from damage.
Dr. Yuka Harada, an expert at the National Cancer Institute of Japan, shared: Some laboratory studies show that bitter melon can slow the growth of cancer cells. However, there is not enough evidence to conclude this effect when eating bitter melon every day".
Who should not eat bitter melon?
Although there are many benefits, bitter melon can also cause some side effects such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and even reduce blood sugar excessively if taken at the same time as diabetes medication. In children, there have been cases of hypoglycemia leading to seizures after drinking bitter melon juice.
Nutritionist Jamie Johnson (Mayo Clinic, USA) advises: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should be cautious when eating bitter melon. Some animal studies have shown that it can affect pregnancy. People with kidney disease should also limit it because bitter melon contains a lot of oxalate, a substance that can cause kidney stones".
If you are healthy and want to add bitter melon to your diet, you can take about 100 - 150g per week. Cook cook, avoid eating raw or drinking thick juice. For oral or powdered products, you should consult your doctor before using.
Bitter melon is a good food if used properly, in the right amount. But like many other herbs, do not use it haphazardly or replace treatment with bitter melon.
