KESEHATAN
Bitter Melon is a fruit commonly referred to as Bitter Gourd or Bitter Squash in various parts of the world. Although botanically it is a fruit, many use Bitter Melon as a vegetable in various types of cooking. Found in abundance in Asia and Africa, this edible fruit which belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae is consumed for its numerous health properties. Associated the bitter gourd as a beneficial vegetable for medicinal purposes, particularly for those suffering from diabetes. Additionally, it was used as a folk remedy for curing tumors, asthma, skin infections, GI problems, and hypertension. Not just China, the medicinal benefits of bitter gourd were highly treasured in India, Africa, and southeastern US as well. It is widely spread across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Today, this bitter yet healthful vegetable is commercially cultivated in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Philippines, Malaysia, South America, and the Caribbean. Let's have a look on best health and nutritional benefits of Bitter Gourd Juice.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Value of Bitter Gourd Juice
1. Nutritional Benefits
Bitter gourds are very low in calories but dense with precious nutrients. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, C, magnesium, folate, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and has high dietary fiber. It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana.
Bitter melon contains a unique phyto-constituent that has been confirmed to have a hypoglycemic effect called charantin. There is also another insulin-like compound known as polypeptide P which have been suggested as insulin replacement in some diabetic patients.
2. Measles and Chickenpox
Bitter melon extracts are used in traditional treatment and herbal treatment for measles and chickenpox. Bitter melon paste mixed with tea tree oil has proved effective in treating, rashes and inflammation. Consumption of 30 ml of fresh bitter gourd juice in recommended for individuals that suffer from acne conditions. Bitter melon has antiviral properties which is why it is used as a treatment for HIV patients. Global research in laboratories across the world suggest anti retroviral drugs with bitter melon extracts maybe used for treatment of HIV in the future.
3. Heart disease
Bitter melon is very good for the heart in many ways. They help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels which clog the arterial walls and thereby reduce the chances of heart attacks. Also it is known to lower blood sugar levels that help in maintaining good heart health.
4. Flavonoids
It is an excellent source of health benefiting flavonoids such as ß-carotene, α-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin. It also contains a good amount of vitamin A. Together; these compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging, cancers and various disease processes.
5. Blood disorders
Bitter gourd juice is highly beneficial for treating blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to toxemia. Mix 2 ounces of fresh bitter gourd juice with some lime juice. Sip it slowly on an empty stomach daily for between four and six months and see improvement in your condition.
6. Alpha- eleostearic present in seeds of bitter melon and 15, 16-Dihydroxy- Alpha-eleostearic acid in pulp (fruit) of bitter melon have proven effective in killing leukemia cells. Research reveals bitter melon extracts used in dietary supplements minimize the risk of colorectal cancer (colon cancer). Extracts of seeds and fruit are used in various Ayurvedic treatments. Bitter melon has proven highly effective in preventing cancer cells from multiplying, especially in breast cancer.
7. Weight Loss
Bitter Melon contains antioxidants, which help to flush out your system. This improves your metabolism and digestive systems thus helping you lose weight quickly.The two other major factors that aid in weight loss is the calorie control and filling components. Calorie control happens as such because vegetables are low on calories which allows you to consume more quantities of them. Filling component in this vegetable is water. We know that water is a universal suppressant of hunger. And the pods of this vegetable contain on the whole 80-85% water.
8. Eye Problems
With high levels of beta-carotene and other beneficial compounds, bitter gourd juice is regarded as the best drink for alleviating eye disorders and strengthening eyesight. Further, it is recommended by herbalists for normalizing restless sleeping patterns.
9. Diabetes Mellitus
Bitter melon contains a hypoglycemic compound (a plant insulin) that is highly beneficial in lowering sugar levels in blood and urine. Bitter melon juice has been shown to significantly improve glucose tolerance without increasing blood insulin levels.
10. Bitter Gourd in Infections
Fresh juice of bitter gourd leaves can be used to treat cholera in early stages. It prevents bacteria that cause malaria/cholera from growing. It also weakens some kind of viruses like measles, chickenpox, herpes and also deadly diseases like HIV. It slows down the growth of the bacteria and kills it when it gets weak.
11. Anti-ageing
Bitter gourd contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. By fighting and eliminating the harmful free radicals, it helps to prevent wrinkles by slowing down the ageing process. It also protects the skin from damage by Sun’s ultraviolet rays.
12. Piles
Mix three teaspoonfuls of juice from bitter melon leaves with a glassful of buttermilk. Take this every morning on empty stomach for about a month and see an improvement to your condition. To hasten the healing, use the paste of the roots of bitter melon plant and apply over the piles.
13. Skin diseases
Bitter gourd is a known remedy for curing various skin diseases and skin infections, such as eczema. Not only it avoids the skin from developing blemishes, it also improves the glow and texture of the skin, ensuring that you do not develop any acne. It has also been acknowledged for successfully healing skin eruptions, chapped skin and burns.
14. Asthma
Asthma patients can highly benefit by having Bitter Gourd juice. It helps cure chronic cough and breathing problems by removing the sputum that accumulates within the lungs and the respiratory tract.
