Bitter melon is a familiar food in the meals of many Vietnamese families. With its characteristic bitter taste, bitter melon has long been used in folk medicine in many Asian, South American, Caribbean and East African countries.
Today, some studies continue to explore the ability to support blood sugar control of this fruit.
According to Healthline, bitter melon contains some compounds with similar properties to insulin. These compounds can help transport glucose from the blood into cells to create energy, thereby contributing to supporting blood sugar stability.
A study published in 2020 noted that mcIRBP-19 peptide in bitter melon can participate in regulating blood sugar. The results showed that the use of capsules containing peptide extracted from bitter melon can help improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Meanwhile, a 12-week study published in 2022 showed that bitter melon extract can help reduce glucose levels in people with pre-diabetes.
In addition to its potential to support blood sugar control, bitter melon also contains many nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C and iron. This fruit is also low in calories and almost does not contain natural sugars. A serving of about 47g of bitter melon only provides about 10 calories.
Bitter melon can be used as a vegetable in meals, herbal tea or supplements. However, use should be cautious, especially for people undergoing diabetes treatment.
According to experts, bitter melon can cause some side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or other digestive disorders. When used with diabetes medication or insulin, this fruit can cause blood sugar to drop too much.
Therefore, bitter melon can be part of a healthy diet and has the potential to support blood sugar control, but should not be considered a substitute for medication. Patients should consult a doctor before using it regularly or in the form of functional foods.
