Health benefits of bitter melon

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Bitter gourd is a versatile vegetable that can be processed into many different dishes such as stuffed bitter melon with meat or fried with eggs, especially it is also a rich source of nutrients good for health. strong.

1. General information about bitter melon

Bitter gourd is a fruit shaped like a cucumber, green, but rough in appearance and has an extremely bitter taste. This is a fruit widely used in India, Asia, the Caribbean and Africa.
Bitter melon is rich in phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, triterpenoids and polyphenols, all of which have been shown to prevent and slow down the growth of cancerous cells. In addition, it is also used to support the treatment of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, digestive problems and a number of other diseases.

2. Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd

Although bitter melon has a rather unpleasant taste, it is extremely nutritious and good for health. Here are some notable health benefits of bitter melon:
2.1.Helps improve type 2 diabetes Scientists have found that bitter melon can speed up the metabolism metabolize glucose in the body, thereby helping to reduce blood sugar levels effectively. To get the maximum health benefits from this special fruit, you can make a glass of water from bitter melon and drink it every day.
However, if symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain appear, you should stop using bitter melon and seek medical help. Ideally, before making any changes in the diet, people with type 2 diabetes should also consult with a nutritionist and have regular blood sugar monitoring checks to get the best results. You can adjust your medication to suit your condition.
2.2.Reduce cholesterol levels in the blood Recent studies have also shown that eating bitter melon can help you reduce blood cholesterol levels. Usually, a blood test will help your doctor diagnose high cholesterol levels. When the blood accumulates too much cholesterol, it can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. Therefore, bitter melon is considered a natural remedy to help prevent dangerous diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart disease and stroke.

2.3.Relieve pain caused by kidney stones Severe pain often comes due to kidney stones, making you feel extremely uncomfortable and painful. This can be improved through eating bitter melon.
Many evidences have shown that this bitter fruit helps to destroy kidney stones so that the body can easily excrete them out through the urine. In addition, it is also effective in reducing acid levels in the urine and relieving pain caused by kidney stones.
If you have kidney stones, you should make a cup of tea made from bitter melon without adding sugar to improve your condition.
2.4.Inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer You will be surprised to learn that this small and difficult-to-eat fruit has powerful anti-cancer properties. In particular, patients with pancreatic cancer should add bitter melon to their diet because it can disrupt the production of glucose, and at the same time contribute to inhibiting and inhibiting the growth of these cells. pancreatic cancer cells.
In addition, bitter melon also helps prevent several other types of malignancies, such as colon cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer.

2.5.Good for skin health and effective weight loss Bitter melon also provides a lot of beneficial essence for your skin. Health care experts have found that the natural essence in bitter melon has a soothing effect on the skin, supporting "effective" to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema. and psoriasis , while improving the skin to become whiter and brighter.
In addition to the effect of beautifying the skin, bitter melon is also considered an effective weight loss measure. Because this fruit provides very little energy for the body, thereby helping you lose weight and control weight at a more reasonable level, preventing the risk of obesity.
2.6.Helps speed up starch metabolism People with diabetes often pay close attention to the level of starch metabolism in the body because it has a great influence on their blood sugar level. Meanwhile, bitter melon is a nutritious fruit, capable of speeding up the conversion of starch into sugar. This will help significantly reduce the stored fat in the body, thereby helping you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.
In addition, increasing the rate of carbohydrate metabolism at the right rate also helps to improve the development and growth of muscles as well as other parts of the body.

2.7.Improve digestive system function Bitter melon is one of the foods that are very good for digestive health. Regular consumption of bitter melon will help you enhance the functioning of the gallbladder and prevent or reduce fluid retention. This is also the reason why people suffering from hepatitis, cirrhosis or constipation should add bitter melon to their diet.
Besides, bitter melon is also effective in reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. To get the most out of these health benefits, you should drink at least one glass of bitter melon juice every day.

2.8.Strengthening the Immune System A healthy immune system is an important key to helping the body prevent and fight the attack of diseases or harmful bacteria. Therefore, bitter melon is considered a natural remedy, helping to strengthen the body's resistance, thereby reducing the risk of colds, fungal infections, food allergies or assisting in improving reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux and dyspepsia.
2.9.Good for bones and joints Bitter melon is a rich source of vitamin K for the body. This vitamin is very important for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, helps relieve joint pain, promotes bone health, fights inflammation and participates in the body's blood clotting process. In addition, bitter melon also contains a lot of fiber, which is good for your digestive system.

3. Side effects and safety level when using bitter melon

*When taken by mouth: for a short time (about 4 months), bitter melon is considered safe for most people when taken by mouth. However, some people may experience unpleasant stomach symptoms when drinking bitter melon. Currently, studies have not found evidence that long-term use of bitter melon is safe.
*When applied to the skin: in certain cases, applying bitter melon to the skin can cause a rash.

*Special precautions and warnings:
For women who are pregnant and breastfeeding: should not drink bitter melon during pregnancy. Some studies have found that bitter melon contains certain chemicals that lead to vaginal bleeding and a higher risk of miscarriage. Diabetic patients: although bitter melon can lower blood sugar, however, if you are taking medication to treat diabetes while using it in combination with bitter melon, it can cause blood sugar levels to drop. down too low. People with G6PD deficiency: G6PD stands for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Patients with this deficiency may experience pea poisoning after eating bitter melon seeds. This condition can lead to severe anemia, with symptoms such as fever, headache, coma, or stomach pain in some people. People planning or having surgery: In fact, bitter melon can interfere with your blood sugar control during and after surgery. To be on the safe side, you should stop using bitter melon at least 2 weeks before your scheduled surgery. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical professionals, a system of modern equipment and technology. The hospital provides comprehensive, professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services, with a civilized, polite, safe and sterile treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform services here can be completely assured.

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Reference sources: healthline.com, webmd.com