Recipe – Nita Naturale

Bitter Melon health benefits

Nita — Tue, 10 May 2022 11:40:40 +0000

English Name: Bitter melon is also known as bitter gourd or balsam-pear

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

http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/34678
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/
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
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.
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.
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/
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unq-X7kHr6k

Tricolor superfoods have cancer-preventive action

Nita — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:52:49 +0000

We all are well aware of the life-threatening effects of cancer. Health-conscious people often have the concept to use poly-pharmacy to prevent cancer. But NitaNaturale shares with you a new concept poly-farmacy, a new mantra to prevent cancer. Tricolor superfoods i.e. orange, mushroom and broccoli have multiple bioactive compounds that favorably manage your body system to protect you from cancerous growth. These three superfoods you can collect from any organic farm to keep your body fit to fight against cancer.

The American Institute for Cancer Research and World Cancer Research Fund promoted a plant-based diet. Different plant products can reduce cancer risk. This recommendation is based on the increasing trend of scientific research evidence, which reported fruits and vegetables have health protective effects. [1]The foundation of public health recommends the consumption of diets containing 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day are helpful to reduce the rate of cancer prevalence. [2]

Medical advancements offer advanced cancer treatments. But still, conventional medical treatment may not be enough to cure certain types of cancers like lungs, pancreas, liver, bones, and in an advanced stage of breast and colon cancer. Moreover, these conventional therapies are expensive and have various side effects.

Employing food as medicines in combination with a healthy lifestyle and diet habits are newer approaches to prevent degenerative diseases like cancer.

Orange

Orange is a fibrous, juicy citrus fruit. But do you know this abundant souse of fiber can protect you from cancer? Pectin, a complex carbohydrate present in citrus fruits is the source of polysaccharide fiber. Pectin can disrupt intercellular communication that encourages metastasis and slow down the process.

Vitamin C and flavonoids combination in orange provide a great antioxidant property. The antioxidant activity of orange juice that is rich in flavonoids prevents oxidative stress in the human lung, diminishes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhances mitochondrial functionality, and averts oxidative damage of DNA.

Orange juice has anti-inflammatory activity that counteracts cytokine generation and other inflammatory mediator releases. Therefore both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties present in orange juice provide desirable benefits against cancerous tumor growth. Not only orange, other citrus fruits like lemon, grapefruit are also good sources of these biochemical compositions. But I am suggesting orange juice as its amazing taste attracts the worldwide population and is even one of the most studied superfoods in terms of its health benefits.

Research scientists had reported that the antiproliferative effect of orange juice is effective against leukemia, breast cancer, and colon tumor. Orange juice can contrary the risk associated with oral and pancreatic cancer. A clinical trial result demonstrated the risk of cancer inversely proportionate with citrus fruit juice like orange juice. [1] An animal study result published in 2020 reported that Orange peel extract and its bioactive compound naringin could be used as an adjuvant therapy with doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic medicine. The addition of this adjuvant therapy helps to reduce esophageal cancer tumor size and lower down the side effect burden of chemotherapy. [2] Shortly, we expect a clinical trial confirms the efficacy of this non-toxic herbal supplement as an adjuvant for patients undergoing doxorubicin chemotherapy.

Mushroom

Mushrooms have different varieties because of their different genera. Lingzhi or Reishi (Ganoderma), Maitake (Grifolafrondosa,) Lions mane (Hericium erinaceus), puffballs, (Calvatiautriformis), split-gill mushroom (Schizophyllumcommune), winter mushroom (Flammulinavelutipe), birch polypore (Piptoporusbetulinus), and almost all other verities of mushrooms have anticancer property. Anti-tumor, anti-metastasis, and immunomodulating benefits of mushrooms provide cancer-preventive benefits.

Mushrooms contain a variety of bioactive compounds such as different medicinal polysaccharides like ß-glucans, krestin, and polysaccharide peptide lentinan, etc. However, the composition of mushrooms varies from genus to genus. Multiple research studies have been performed to investigate the antitumoral and immunostimulating effects of mushroom containg polysaccharides.

Many clinical trials have been performed to check these substances in conjunction with chemotherapy. These trial results indicate relevant health benefits such as overall disease-free survival of colorectal cancer patients and in improving quality of life among lung cancer patients. In Japan and China, different medicinal mushrooms have been approved as adjuvant therapy with standard cancer treatments. The clinical history of patients has reported safe use as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy. [3]

Mushrooms exert anticancer activity through apoptotic induction, preventing tumor cell proliferation, inhibiting angiogenesis and protein synthesis inside the tumors. Immunomodulatory benefits obtain from mushrooms modulate the immune functioning of our body to act favorably against cancer growth. In the laboratory, researchers found that mushrooms can significantly inhibit the growth of tumor mass. [4]

Medical industries still have a lack of chemotherapeutic treatments for some forms of cancer, like Hodgkin lymphoma, estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, mesothelioma, etc. Pharmaceutical companies are searching for new molecules to make up this gap. A plethora of valuable bioactive compounds present in mushrooms attract the pharmaceutical industry. This gives hope of discovery of new cancer treatment. [4]

Mushroom is easily available in the local market. You must include some mushroom preparations in your weekly cooking planner. It is an organic way to supply multiple anticancer bioactive compounds to prepare your body to fight against cancer.

Broccoli

Broccoli is an example of a cruciferous vegetable. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) contain sulforophane, which has anti-cancer properties. But remember sulforophane originates in the seed and is not made in the plant. [5] We usually prefer to eat the flower part of the broccoli, which is only 30% of the whole broccoli. If you want to take more amount of sulforophane, then include broccoli sprouts in your diet. However, broccoli leaves and stalks have antioxidant properties. [6] Do not through broccoli leave and stalks during the preparation of broccoli. This suggestion not only saves your money but also safe your health by dispensing extra antioxidants.

Epidemiologic studies have found that intake of cruciferous vegetables could reduce cancer incidence. According to these study findings, cruciferous vegetable intake could limit cancer progression at the lung, stomach, colon, rectum, bladder, kidney, breast, and prostate. A prostate cancer screening trial found men who consumed more than 1 serving of broccoli per week had a 45% risk reduction of developing aggressive prostate cancer compared to men consuming less than 1 serving of broccoli per month. [7]

Tricolor Recipe of this month

Orange veggies stir fry

Step 1

Prepare sauce by blending orange juice (1/2 cup), grated orange zest (1 tablespoon), big garlic cloves (2 no.), minced ginger (1 teaspoon), rice vinegar (2 tablespoons), soy sauce (2 tablespoons), and a dash of honey. Then, put the blend in the pan and heat for 5 min. Turn off the flame and separate the sauce in a bowl and keep aside.

Step 2

Boil one cup of broccoli for 5 minutes. But it should not get too soft during boiling. Chop one cup of carrot, one cup of mushroom, and half a cup of onion. Take half a cup of fresh peas for this preparation. Then heat a pan. Add one tablespoonful of olive oil. Cook the onion in olive oil and then add all the vegetables into it. Stir fry the veggies for 3 minutes. Add few drops of sauce between each stir. After all the veggies are cooked properly, turn off the flame. Place Orange veggies stir-fry over hot rice. Now you can enjoy the meal.

References