Latin Name: Momordica charantia

Description

Bitter melon belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and grows in the tropical and subtropical regions. Fruits of this plant have a bitter taste, which may the reason the plant is named bitter melon. The plant is classified under climbers. This plant has branches with a green hairy or hairless stem. The bitter melon plant is an annual, but it can be perennial also. The leaves of this plant have an unpleasant smell during crushing. The bitter melon plant bears both male and female flowers. The fruits are an egg-shaped outer covering of the bitter melon having longitudinal ridges and warts. Unripe bitter melon fruits have whitish pulp with white seeds; with maturity, the pulp becomes yellowish color with radish seeds.  

The native places of bitter melon are Australia and Africa. In America bitter melon plant is cultivated. [1]

History-story

The actual origin of bitter melon may be in China and India; however, there was no evidence. West African slaves might introduce bitter melon to America. The US National Herbarium mentioned that Bitter melon was first brought to Puerto Rico in 1885. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, Asian people, who resided in America initiated Bitter melon cultivation in the tropical region and southern part of the USA. [1]

Traditionally, bitter melon is used as a culinary vegetable in India and Bangladesh. Bitter melon takes its place in folk medicine due to its anti-diabetic effect. Folk medicine of many developing countries like Bangladesh, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Ghana, Haiti, Malaya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, and Panama use bitter melon for treating different diseases like dysmenorrhea, emmenagogue, eczema, gout, galactagogue, jaundice, kidney stone, leucorrhea, leprosy, pneumonia, piles, psoriasis, rheumatism, and scabies.[2]    

Main constituents

Bitter melon contains glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, triterpenes, steroids, proteins, and fixed oils. Other specific bioactive phytochemicals are Phenolic and Flavonoids Compounds. Bitter melon is also a rich source of several essential micro and macronutrients. Interesting facts are about bitter melon are:

• It contains two times greater β-carotene than broccoli
• It contains two times greater calcium content than spinach
• It contains two times greater potassium content than bananas. [3] 

Benefits backed with scientific evidence

Research evidence obtained from different sources showed the following health benefits of bitter melon: 

Weight management

Animal study evidence indicated that bitter melon has an anti-obesity effect, as it prevents fat diet-induced fat mass accumulation and related weight gain in rats in the laboratory. Bitter melon may stimulate fatty acid oxidation, which influences fat burning in the body and leads to weight loss. 

In addition, bitter melon also efficiently works in the liver, pancreas, and fat cells to control weight gain. 

Bitter melon reduces fatty acid synthesis and decreases fat production in the liver. 

Bitter melon activates both PPAR-α and PPAR-γ receptors present in the pancreas to reduce triglyceride levels and insulin sensitization. 

In fat cells, bitter melon juice activates lipolysis and decreases visceral fat mass. A human study report also showed a significant reduction in waist circumference with supplementation of bitter melon.[2]  

Diabetes management

Traditional folk medicine suggested bitter melon juice for controlling hyperglycemia (blood glucose level enhancement). Blood glucose level enhancement is the primary sign of diabetic patients. Bitter melon controls diabetes by regulating pancreas functioning. Animal study and laboratory test reports showed that bitter melon juice increases insulin secretion. It also helps in the steady production of insulin by protecting the pancreatic beta cells of Langerhans. Bitter melon also influences the functioning of PPAR-γ and reduces insulin sensitization. 

The animal model test reported that Bitter melon juice could lower blood glucose levels within three weeks of treatment. The anti-diabetic effect of bitter melon is due to several other reasons like improvement of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and insulin signaling. These effects are achieved as bitter melon may have the following mechanism of action:

• decreases glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
• the utilization of glucose in the tissues become enhances
• increases metabolism of glucose
• promotes insulin-like action
• increase pancreatic beta cell functioning [2]

Two case studies conducted on diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in both fasting and postprandial glucose levels. It has been reported that bitter melon has a synergistic action with other hypoglycemic medications. [4,5]

Cholesterol level management

Bitter melon is effective to manage cholesterol levels in the blood. Increased cholesterol level due to overproduction is one of the primary causes of dyslipidemia. The other features of dyslipidemia are the excess production of lipoprotein and abnormal lipoprotein metabolism etc. All these factors also influence obesity. In diabetic patients, high cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty acids are common problems. Animal study data showed that bitter melon fruit juice could lower hepatic production of cholesterol and triglycerides. Bitter melon effectively lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels and increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels in the body. [2]

Improves cardiovascular dysfunctions

Hypertension and other vascular dysfunctions are common metabolic disorders associated with obese and diabetic patients and cause heart diseases. An animal study reported that whole plant parts of bitter melon normalize blood pressure. Bitter melon controls hypertension by regulating the acetylcholine pathway and limiting the activities of angiotensin-converting enzymes. [2]  

Hepatoprotective effect

The liver is a primary organ that participates in different metabolic functions and affects overall health. Bitter melon is a potent antioxidant and provides a hepatoprotective effect. Bitter melon prevents the accumulation of fats in the liver and also reduces fatty diet-induced steatosis in the liver. Thus bitter melon is effective to treat fatty liver.[2]   

Antioxidant effect

Bitter melon has an excellent antioxidant property, as it prevents free radical synthesis, and lipid peroxidation and enhances chelating activity. Bitter melon leaves and fruit juice can act as a scavenger of free radicals. The anti-oxidant property of bitter melon is evaluated through animal study.[2]

Anticancer

The cytotoxic effect of bitter melon is effective against different types of cancer cells. A potent antioxidant effect also influences the anti-mutagenic effect that prevents unwanted cell growth. Research study findings support that supplementation of bitter melon prevents breast cancer. [6]

Anti-microbial effect

Bitter melon is effective to treat bacterial infections, which are specifically caused by E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Streptobacillus, and Pseudomonas. An article published in PubMed mentioned that bitter melon has a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect.[6] The anthelmintic property of Bitter melon effectively treats malaria. The anti-viral effect of bitter melon seed extract inhibits HIV. [3]

Beauty enhancing effect

Bitter melon fruit juice with yogurt is a natural hair shine enhancer. The application of bitter melon juice on the scalp can solve dandruff problems, reduce grey hair growth, and decrease hair-splitting. It also improves skin complexion, removes acne, and provides flawless skin. [3]

Indications and use

The following are the most usual indications and uses of bitter melon:

• Anti-diabetic
• Anti-obesity
• Anti-hypertensive
• Treating dyslipidemia
• Immunity booster
• Anti-microbial effect
• Cancer preventive action
• Digestive disorders
• Menstrual problems

How to use Bitter melon as healing and food at home

Regular consumption of fresh bitter melon juice has many health benefits, especially for diabetic patients by reducing blood glucose levels. In the market, bitter melon supplementation formulation is available. You can also easily extract the juice of the fruits at home for regular consumption. The recommended dose of fresh juice is 50-100 mL/day. [7] 

Most of all may not prefer bitter melon juice incorporation into our daily diet chart due to its unpleasant bitter taste. Bitter melon can be used as a culinary vegetable also. Many tasty recipes can be prepared from bitter melon. One such recipe is as follows:

Recipe: Bitter Melon Smoothie 

Ingredients  

• Chopped bitter melon – 100 gm (without seeds)
• Orange – 2 (whole)
• Water melon- 8 – 10 dice (medium sized)

Direction

In a blender, add chopped bitter melon and blend it. Then add orange and watermelon into the blender jar. Blend all the ingredients. No need to put extra water to prepare this tasty smoothie. [8] 

References

1. http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/34678
2. Md Ashraful Alam, Riaz Uddin, Nusrat Subhan, Md Mahbubur Rahman, Preeti Jain, Hasan Mahmud Reza. Beneficial Role of Bitter Melon Supplementation in Obesity and Related Complications in Metabolic Syndrome. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. Journal of Lipids. Volume 2015, Article ID 496169, 18 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/496169. Online available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4306384/
3. Bina Rani, Dr Bhanwar Lal Jat , Manoj Pandey, Jayant Malhotra, Lalit mohan, Prem Singh Bugasara, Raaz K Maheshwari. Dietetic Corollary of Momordica Charantia for Vivaciousness and Sanguinity. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Bio-Science. Online available at http://www.ijprbs.com/issuedocs/2014/4/IJPRBS%20602.pdf
4. Ahmad, M. R. Hassan, H. Halder, and K. S. Bennoor, “Effect of Momordica charantia (Karolla) extracts on fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels in NIDDM patients,” Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 11–13, 1999.
5. Tongia, S. K. Tongia, and M. Dave, “Phytochemical determination and extraction of Momordica charantia fruit and its hypoglycemic potentiation of oral hypoglycemic drugs in diabetes mellitus (NIDDM),” Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 241–244, 2004.
6. Baby Joseph, D Jini. Antidiabetic effects of Momordica charantia(bitter melon) and its medicinal potency. Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 2013 Apr; 3(2): 93–102. doi:  1016/S2222-1808(13)60052-3. Online available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027280/
7. Tori Hudson. Bitter Melon: A review of its indications, efficacy and safety. Online available at http://cdn.naturaldispensary.com/downloads/A%20Research%20Review%20of%20Bitter%20Melon.pdf
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unq-X7kHr6k

What is diabetes? 

Diabetes is an abnormal health condition and indicative of a high blood sugar level. Broadly, diabetes is two types- type I and type II. Type – I diabetes occurs due to an immune system attack that damages the pancreatic cell and causes insufficient insulin production.

Type II diabetes is the condition in which the body unable to utilize or produce insulin. However, type II diabetes is not an auto-immune condition. Diabetes can occur at any age.

Apart from these two types, gestational diabetes is common among pregnant women, but after childbirth the disorder usually self-corrected. [2]

Diabetes become a global health concern

Administration of insulin is the primary treatment for type -I diabetes, whereas different conventional hypoglycemic medications prescribe to control type II diabetes. The uncontrolled diabetic condition leads to a variety of health complications, such as foot problems, nerve damage, heart disease, kidney failure, stroke attack, eye disorders, dental problems, etc. The incidence rate of diabetes increases day by day. It is assumed that worldwide 380 million people will be affected by diabetes by 2025. [3] This increasing incidence and diabetes-associated vital organ disorders make this a global health issue.

What are the Herbs and Superfood act as adjuvant therapy in diabetes management? 

Obesity and dyslipidemia are common in type II diabetes and underlying causes of many complications. Following are some herbs and Superfood complement the blood-glucose-lowering effect of hypoglycemic medicines and also control the underlying complications. But I never suggest these can be used as a substitute for conventional diabetic treatment and stop using prescribed medicine without consultation with a doctor.

Cinnamon

The sweet aroma of cinnamon bark is not only a food flavoring spice but can improve glucose utilization in our body and increase insulin secretion. Cinnamon provides an ‘insulin-like’ effect. The bioactive ingredients present in cinnamon able to lower blood sugar level by following way:

• increase cellular utilization of glucose (a type of sugar)
• converts more glucose to glycogen and stored them for future utilization
• reduce the conversion of glycogen to glucose by decreasing the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3β
• Increases the activity of glucosidase enzymes and thus reduces intestinal absorption of glucose
• regulate the energy level by controlling intestinal enzymatic activity. [4]

Cinnamon can lower blood cholesterol through reducing triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, whereas it increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the blood.

• Cinnamon inhibits hepatic HMG Co-A reductase enzyme and reduces blood cholesterol level
• The antioxidant effect of cinnamon reduces lipid peroxidation and inhibits 5-lipoxygenase enzyme activity in the liver and provides a cholesterol-lowering effect.
• Cinnamon also has lipolytic activity and also promotes phagocytosis (engulf) of LDL cholesterol. [5]

Research result also suggested that cinnamon might effective to manage blood glucose level in pre-diabetic people. [6] If your blood test report showed glucose level is borderline, then I recommend you to add cinnamon in your daily diet as a preventive measure.

The selection of dose is critical and usually depends upon patient conditions like a diagnostic report, body weight, current medication, etc. However, I referred to different clinical studies and found 1 gm of cinnamon powder per day can control blood sugar in diabetic patients within three months. [5] But do not increase intake of cinnamon 6 gm per day to avoid any unpleasant side effects like liver toxicity. [7]

Tips to include cinnamon bark in your daily diet for better diabetes management 

You can add a measured amount of cinnamon powder in oatmeal and muesli as a flavoring agent and also for better diabetes management. Cinnamon aroma enhances the flavor of different sweet confectionery recipes. But if you want to grasp its bioactive property to get optimum health benefits of cinnamon then prepare herbal tea by adding three inches of cinnamon bark in a cup of hot water and close the lid for 10 minutes and enjoy the drink. Cinnamon has a long shelf-life and easily store for 4 to 5 years in an air-tight container. Another useful tip that I want to share with readers is to select the Ceylon variety of cinnamon to get the best treatment outcome.

Fenugreek

I recommend fenugreek seed solution for newly detected diabetic patients to control their glycemia and dyslipidemia conditions.

• Fenugreek contains soluble fibers such as glucomannan fiber restrict sugar absorption in your gut.
• Fenugrecin and trigonelline are two alkaloids present in fenugreek have hypoglycemic effects
• Fenugreek stimulates the pancreas to release insulin due to an amino acid (4 hydroxyisoleucine) present in this herbal ingredient. [8]

Tips to include fenugreek seeds in your daily diet for better diabetes management 

Take 25 mg of fenugreek seeds and add them into a glass of water. Keep it overnight for soaking and drink the solution next morning in an empty stomach. Continue this therapy for one month. But monitor your blood glucose level regularly and maintain a dairy to keep the record of your blood sugar level. A human trial result reported that fenugreek seed solution significantly reduced overall cholesterol levels. [9]

Blueberry

Blueberry is a perfect Superfood for diabetic diet due to the following reasons:

• Blueberry has a low glycemic index and.
• Normalize blood sugar level by reducing insulin resistant
• It also acts against obesity and metabolic disorders. [10]

Tips to include blueberry fruits in your daily diet for better diabetes management 

Patients with type II diabetes can maintain their blood sugar level within a normal limit by adding blueberry in their daily diet. A bowl of blueberry can be a diabetic snake item. You can also mix Acai berries, Cranberries in your Blueberry bowl to make it a colorful and antioxidant-rich diabetic healthy diet to support the vital functioning of your body.

Moringa 

Moringa becomes a more discussed Superfoods nowadays due to its multiple health benefits. One of the significant benefits of this herb is blood glucose maintenance within a normal limit. The glucose tolerance test has proven this benefit of moringa. The phytonutrients present in this Superfood effectively reduce post-prandial hyperglycemia and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels. Moringa exerts an antihyperglycemic effect due to the following reasons:

• Delays the intestinal glucose absorption
• Increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscles and reduces glucose production in the liver by regulating enzymatic activity. [11]

Tips to include Moringa in your daily diet for better diabetes management 

Leaves, seeds, and pods of Moringa have antidiabetic properties. You can add moringa leaves, and fruits in your soup preparation. Moringa powder is available in different organic shops, but you should keep your eyes on the authenticity of the product to avoid any adulteration. You add 500mg moringa powder in green smoothie preparation and drink this healthful appetizer any time a day. But you should monitor blood sugar levels every day to avoid hypoglycemia.

Role of modified lifestyle measures in diabetes management  

Physical activity has a positive role in diabetes management. Brisk walking, aerobic exercise, and swimming are different physical activities diabetic patients can include in their daily life to maintain blood glucose levels. But I recommend yoga should be an integral modified lifestyle measure for the diabetic patient for better management of overall health condition.

The systematic approach of yoga is not only limited to physical health but also influence mental well-being. Yoga can advocate mind-full eating and stress-free life, which are two essential parameters to prevent raising blood glucose levels. [12] The following are significant benefits of yoga in diabetes management:

• Yoga can regulate eating patterns
• Practicing yoga support mind-body connection, which improves self-awareness
• Yoga brings modest weight loss
• Regular yoga practice can significantly reduce both fasting and post-prandial blood sugar. [13]
• Yoga is also an effective diabetes preventive measure.

 How to practice yoga for diabetes management?

I have researched and found the following yoga schedule that can lower down both fasting and post-prandial blood sugar. But you have to follow this schedule regularly. You can observe a noticeable change in the blood test report and health parameters within six months.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4437062/

My aim to include this topic in my blog is to increase general awareness. Not only depend on polypharmacy to control blood glucose labels but bring changes in daily life after reading this blog and help the world to fight against the increasing incidence of diabetes and its complications.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S175646461930218X
2. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358966/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5220230/
5. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/12/3215
6. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200721102143.htm
7. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfs/2019/4138534/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5954247/
9. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2019/8507453/
10. https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/volume6number3/superfoodsrecent-data-on-their-rolein-the-prevention-of-diseases/
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6950081/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6145966/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4437062/