Exotic medicinal plant This tropical vegetable fruit lowers the blood sugar level

Bitter melon & Co. can help with diabetes

Have you ever heard of the bitter melon, the bitter gourd or the bitter gourd? What has been on the table in many countries, predominantly in Asia, for centuries, is still largely unknown here. The tropical vegetable fruit is full of minerals and vitamins. In addition, it is also used as a traditional medicinal plant, because it contains several natural ingredients that lower blood sugar.

Diabetes Diabetes, a global diabetes company, recommends several plants and fruits that are suitable for naturally lowering sugar levels. Among the recommended fruits is, for example, the bitter melon, which contains at least three drugs with antidiabetic properties: hypoglycemic Charantin, the insulin-like compound polypeptide-p and Vicin.

The exotic bitter gourd

The bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a climbing plant and belongs to the cucurbits. It thrives in tropical and subtropical regions such as South America, Asia, parts of Africa and the Caribbean. The plant forms vines, on which elongated green fruits with warty texture grow. The size, texture and bitterness of the vegetable fruit depends on the region of origin.

How does the vegetable fruit affect diabetes??

As the society reports, bitter melon is used not only as a food ingredient but also as a herbal remedy for a number of ailments, including type 2 diabetes. In addition to the active ingredients Vicin, Charantin and polypeptide-p, the vegetable fruit also contains the hormone leptin, which should have a direct effect on the glucose metabolism. For example, the Diabetes Information Service Munich reports on experiments on rats and mice with type 1 diabetes, which have shown that the elevated blood sugar levels of the animals normalized after an injection with leptin.

Bitter melon as a traditional medicinal plant

Traditionally, the bitter melon is taken as a medicinal plant in numerous complaints. It is said to have proven itself in cases of colic, fever, burns, cough, menstrual pain and skin problems.

How to take bitter melon?

The vegetable fruit can be taken in different forms. For example, it can be eaten as a fruit, boiled in water or made into juice. The seed also makes a powder that can be added to various foods. Bitter melon extract is also available as a dietary supplement. The vegetable fruit can be bought in Asian grocery stores as well as in many health food stores.

Precautions

According to Diabetes.co.uk, not more than two bitter melons per day should be eaten, as over-consumption can lead to mild abdominal pain or diarrhea. Those taking diabetes medications should seek medical advice before eating regularly as the bitter melon ingredients in combination with the diabetes medications may produce extremely low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia).

Other recommended plants and fruits for lowering blood sugar

The professional society reports that there are also other plants, plant extracts and fruits that carry scientific proven anti-diabetic properties. These include:

• Aloe vera,
• Blueberry extract,
• cinnamon,
• Fenugreek,
• ginger,
• okra.

Further information: Natural glycemic control: Bitter melon counteracts type II diabetes
(Vb)