The bitter taste from bitter melon makes not all people like this vegetables, but if you know it's benefits especially for diabetes, you must be push yourself try to consume it. Although bitter melon has tremendous benefits, you should not consume bitter melon excessively, especially for women who are pregnant. According to research on an experiment on pregnant mice, giving excessive bitter melon can lead to miscarriage. Bitter melon also known as bitter gourd or bitter squash and in latin name called Momordica charantia also contain lesichin substances that can boost immunity to counteract cancer cell growth.
The other bitter melon benefits is to lower blood sugar levels due to insulin substance in it, these substances play a role in helping reform process glucose into energy. Bitter melon contains many vitamin C other than useful to strengthen the immune system, also to prevent wrinkles on the face, and protect against ultra violet rays. In addition, the compound carotene in vegetables is also very good for maintaining eye health.
Bitter gourd or Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)
The other bitter melon benefits is to lower blood sugar levels due to insulin substance in it, these substances play a role in helping reform process glucose into energy. Bitter melon contains many vitamin C other than useful to strengthen the immune system, also to prevent wrinkles on the face, and protect against ultra violet rays. In addition, the compound carotene in vegetables is also very good for maintaining eye health.
Bitter gourd or Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)
| Principle | Nutrient Value |
|---|---|
| Energy | 17 Kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 3.70 g |
| Protein | 1.00 g |
| Total Fat | 0.17 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.80 g |
| Vitamins | |
| Folates | 72 µg |
| Niacin | 0.400 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.212 mg |
| Pyridoxine | 0.043 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.040 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.040 mg |
| Vitamin A | 471 IU |
| Vitamin C | 84 mg |
| Electrolytes | |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Potassium | 296 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium | 19 mg |
| Copper | 0.034 mg |
| Iron | 0.43 mg |
| Magnesium | 17 mg |
| Manganese | 0.089 mg |
| Zinc | 0.80 mg |
| Phyto-nutrients | |
| Carotene-ß | 190 µg |
| Carotene-α | 185 µg |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 170 µg |
Bitter melon health benefits
Containing compounds such as phytochemicals, lutein and lycopene in Bitter melon efficacious as anti-cancer, and anti-virus, these benefits are not just for people who already have cancer, but for healthy people consume bitter melon can prevent cancer.
Compared with broccoli, bitter melon contains high levels of beta carotene two times more. Beta carotene is very good to kill cancer cells, it also inhibits heart attack. Potassium is found in bitter melon to address excessive sodium consumption so efficacious to treat high blood pressure.
High levels of calcium in the Bitter melon able to increase production of beta cells in the pancreas to produce insulin. If levels of insulin in the body enough, then chances are high glucose levels can be prevented so that the blood sugar levels to normal. Thus, Bitter melon very good for people with diabetes.
