Who should not eat bitter melon?

From the first side, the name "bitter melon" seems to have nothing related to any fruit; it does not look like a melon, although it comes from the Cucurbitaceae, the same origin family as vines, watermelons, and cantaloupes. For those new to eating bitter melon, it has a strong flavor and a rough, pungent skin that many people do not prefer. So is bitter melon difficult to digest, and who should not eat bitter melon? The following article will help you better understand the effects of eating bitter melon and who should not eat it.

1. Health Benefits of Eating Bitter Melon

Bitter melon, commonly known as bitter melon or Momordica charantia, is a tropical, gourd-like fruit that is said to have many benefits. Bitter melon can be used as a food, as a juice called Karela juice, or as a tea.
Vietnamese people also have another name, "Khổ qua". According to oriental medicine, bitter melon has a bitter taste and cold properties, has the effect of clearing heat and brightening the eyes, and is suitable for heat-induced symptoms of heat, thirst, cooling the heart, and laxative. The seeds of the fruit also have the effect of nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the yang.
Bitter melon contains compounds that are said to support the treatment of diseases, such as diabetes. Bitter melon extracts are also widely available as extra-functional drugs.
Bitter melon is thought to act as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory properties.
Preliminary research suggests that compounds found in bitter melon may act similarly to insulin, the hormone responsible for allowing blood sugar to enter your cells. Since this insulin-like action may help protect against insulin resistance and keep your blood sugar from spiking, it is thought that bitter melon may help fight diabetes.

Possible Side Effects
Eating or drinking bitter melon is safe for most people for up to 3 months at a time. However, if used in large amounts, it may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, stomach upset, abdominal pain, and bloating, and eating too much bitter melon can cause indigestion.

2. Who should not eat bitter melon?

Cases where bitter melon should not be eaten include:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Research shows that bitter melon can cause uterine contractions, bleeding, and miscarriage, leading to premature birth. In addition, research also shows that bitter melon can cause genetic mutations. Therefore, pregnant women should not use bitter melon, especially when the pregnancy is in the early stages. Breastfeeding women should also not eat this fruit because some of the bad substances in bitter melon can be transmitted through breast milk.
• Hypoglycemia (or history of low blood pressure): Bitter melon has the effect of lowering blood pressure due to the ingredients Charantin, Polypeptide-P, and Vicine. These substances have a mechanism of action to reduce blood sugar and improve glucose tolerance. Animal studies (rats and rabbits) have shown improved glucose tolerance, maintained hypoglycemia after stopping bitter melon for 15 days, and reduced blood cholesterol levels.
  People with diabetes: Bitter melon can reduce blood sugar levels after use, so for diabetics, using it in combination with blood-sugar-lowering drugs can cause the patient's blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels. If you are taking any type of blood sugar-lowering drugs, consider the amount of bitter melon you consume
• People with digestive diseases: Eating large amounts of bitter melon can cause diarrhea or other digestive problems. Animal studies have shown that liver enzymes increase after using bitter melon because substances in bitter melon can change liver cells.
• People with liver and kidney disease: The fiber in bitter melon makes it difficult to digest and can also cause bloating, so people with liver and kidney diseases should avoid eating this fruit. People with G6PD deficiency (an enzyme that plays a role in red blood cell metabolism) should also avoid using bitter melon.
• People who are taking medication: If you are taking any medication, consult your doctor about whether or not to use bitter melon, as it can interact with some medications.
   

People with low blood pressure (or a history of low blood pressure): Bitter melon has the effect of lowering blood pressure thanks to its ingredients Charantin, Polypeptid-P and Vicine. These substances have a mechanism of action to lower blood sugar and improve glucose tolerance. Animal studies (rats and rabbits) showed improved glucose tolerance, sustained hypoglycemia 15 days after discontinuing bitter melon, and decreased blood cholesterol. Diabetics: Bitter melon can reduce blood sugar after use, so for diabetics, combined with blood sugar-lowering drugs may cause the patient's blood sugar to drop. dangerously low. If you take any type of sugar-reducing medication, consider the amount you use bitter melon. People with digestive tract diseases: Eating bitter melon in large quantities can cause diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems. Animal studies show that liver enzymes are elevated after consuming bitter melon because substances in bitter melon can change liver cells. People with liver and kidney disease: The fiber in bitter melon makes it difficult to digest, can also cause bloating, so people with liver and kidney disease should avoid eating this fruit. For patients with deficiency of G6PD enzyme (the enzyme that plays a role in red blood cell metabolism) should also avoid using bitter melon. People taking medication: If you are taking any medication, ask your doctor for advice on whether to use bitter melon because bitter melon can cause interactions with some medications. Please regularly monitor Vinmec website (www.vinmec.com) to update useful health care information and leave information when you need medical advice and support!

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