Bitter melon or bitter gourd is a vegetable/fruit that could be consumed as food or medicine. The fruit is grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world in South America, Asia, parts of Africa and the Caribbean. The fruit that sprouts from a vine is green, oblong-shaped with a warty exterior. Its bitterness varies from geographical places of vegetation and is very rich in vitamins and minerals.
Bitter Melon is an alternative medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as it contains three anti-diabetic properties namely charantin, vicine, and polypeptide-P. Charantin is known for its lowering effect on blood glucose. These compounds could work alone or cooperates together to lower blood sugar levels. Lectin is also present in this vegetable that reduces blood glucose levels by acting on outer tissues and suppressing appetite and causes the hypoglycemic effect that develops after eating bitter melon.
A study shows that a one-week clinical trial with a daily consumption of 2000 mg of bitter Melon significantly lowered blood glucose with patients suffering type 2 diabetes. Although the pharmaceutical daily requirement is only 1000 mg of the drug metformin, the alternative natural medication did its job. The study was published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2011, reports Diabetes Company.
Bitter Melon consumption also affects the decrease of hemoglobin A1c levels. This reading is the average blood sugar levels in a 2 to 3 months period. The study was done back in 2008 with patients recently diagnosed with type two diabetes and people without glucose control ranging from seven to nine percent. The participants in the study took two capsules of bitter melon daily. The results showed a .25 percent decrease in hemoglobin A1C levels and were published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, reports Medical News Today.
Consumers can take bitter melon in different forms. It comes in powder, a herbal supplement, a fruit or juice. Fruits are readily available in Asian grocery stores, while capsules, powder, and herbal supplements are sold at health stores or online retailers.Bitter Melon is also a good remedy for colic, fevers, burns, coughs, skin conditions, and childbirth.
