Who should not eat bitter melon?

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From the outside, the name "bitter melon" seems to have nothing to do with the fruit, it doesn't look like melon, although it is derived from Cucurbitaceae, the same family as grapevines, watermelons and cantaloupe melons. . For those who are just starting to eat bitter melon, it has a strong flavor and rough skin, and has a pungent taste that many people do not want to eat. So, is it difficult to digest bitter melon 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 gourd, commonly known as bitter melon or Momordica charantia, is a tropical, gourd-like fruit that is said to offer many benefits. Bitter gourd can be used as a food, as a juice known as karela juice, or as a tea.
Vietnamese people also have another name for bitter melon, bitter melon, according to oriental medicine, bitter melon has a bitter taste, has a cooling property, has the effect of clearing heat, brightening eyes, suitable for heat-producing diseases. thirst, cooling the heart, laxative, the seeds of the fruit also have the function of tonic kidney and yang.
Bitter gourd contains compounds that are believed to aid in the treatment of diseases, such as diabetes. Bitter gourd extracts are also widely available as functional foods.
Bitter melon is believed to act as an antioxidant and contains anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anti-overweight, obesity, and immunomodulatory properties.
Preliminary research suggests that compounds found in bitter melon may have effects similar to insulin, the hormone responsible for allowing blood sugar to enter your cells. Since this insulin-like action can help protect against insulin resistance and keep your blood sugar from rising, 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 in a row. However, if used in excessive amounts it can cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, upset stomach, abdominal pain and bloating, and eating bitter gourd in large quantities causes indigestion.

2. Who should not eat bitter melon?

Cases where bitter melon should not be eaten include:
Pregnant and lactating 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. Women who are breastfeeding should also not eat this fruit because some bad substances of bitter melon can be passed into breast milk.

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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