WHY BITTER GOURD IS GOOD FOR DIABETES

The bitter gourd (also known as bitter melon) looks like a cucumber but with ugly gourd-like bumps all over it. As the name implies, this vegetable is a melon that is bitter. There are two varieties of this vegetable: One grows to about 20 cm long, is oblong and pale green in color. The other is the smaller variety, less than 10 cm long, oval and has a darker green color.

Both varieties have seeds that are white when unripe and turn red when they are ripe. The vegetable-fruit turn reddish-orange when ripe and becomes even more bitter. Bitter gourd thrives in hot and humid climates, so are commonly found in Asian countries and South America.

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.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER GOURD

There are few other fruit or vegetables that can offer the medicinal properties for the following ailments quite like bitter melon does.

Bitter gourd helps kill cancer cells: Bitter gourd juice contains an enzyme that inhibits the transportation of glucose (sugar), thus lowering blood sugar levels, cutting off the food supply to cancer cells, retarding their growth.

Bitter gourd can stop cholera: In early stages of cholera, take two teaspoonfuls juice of bitter gourd leaves, mix with two teaspoonfuls white onion juice and one teaspoonful lime juice. Sip this concoction daily till you get well.

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.

Bitter gourd to boost your energy levels: Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice has been proven to improve energy and stamina level. Even sleeping patterns have been shown to be improved/stabilized.

Eye problems: The high beta-carotene and other properties in bitter gourd makes it one of the finest vegetable-fruit that help alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight.

Bitter gourd can stop gout:  Bitter gourd juice is liver cleansing. It helps clean up a toxic blood, improves blood circulation and relieves gout pain.

Drink bitter gourd to boost your immune system: This bitter juice can also help to build your immune system and increase your body’s resistance against infection.

Respiratory disorders:  Take two ounces of fresh bitter melon juice and mix with a cup of honey diluted in water. Drink daily to improve asthma, bronchitis and pharyngitis.

Bitter gourd to combat Toxemia:  Bitter gourd contains beneficial properties that cleanses the blood from toxins. Sip two teaspoonfuls of the juice daily to help cleanse the liver. Also helpful in ridding jaundice for the same reasons.

HOW TO JUICE BITTER GOURD TO LOWER BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL

Choose a bitter gourd that is of light green. The bigger and lighter-colored ones are less bitter. Store unused bitter melons wrapped up in a plastic bag and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Note that the longer you keep the gourds, the more bitter it may become.

Slice the melon length-wise and remove the seeds. Then cut it to smaller pieces to fit your juicer feeding chute. Drink about 2-3 ounces every day and you should be seeing an improvement in about 2-3 weeks.  If you like it bitter, you may add one green apple to the bitter juice to make it more palatable.

Drink regularly and try to avoid high intake of sugar in food, reduce meat, fried foods and eat more raw vegetables.

Are there any side effects to consuming bitter gourd?

Drinking more than 3 ounces of bitter gourd juice may cause mild abdominal pain or diarrhea. Please consult your doctor.

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