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Just like its name suggest, bitter melons are one of the most bitter fruit-vegetables on this planet, but its health benefits are worth every chew.
Resembling a green cucumber with a warty exterior, bitter melon, locally called peria or ku gua, is one of the most versatile vegetables used across India and other Asian countries – from distinct cuisines to medicinal use and therapies.
Despite its strong bitter taste, bitter melon is rich in various nutrients that can improve your health in a number of ways. Here are some of the amazing health benefits of bitter melon.
GOOD FOR YOUR STOMACH
Like most plants, bitter melon’s high fibre content improves the bowel movement and relieves constipation. The bitterness actually increases saliva production and helps in the secretion of gastric juices that stimulates digestion, preventing stomach ulcers, acidity, indigestion and colorectal cancer.
HELPS IN TREATING DIABETES
A report published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2012, revealed that bitter melon contains hypoglycaemic and insulin-like (Polypeptide-P) compounds that can help lower blood sugar levels in patients with type-2 diabetes. Regular consumption of bitter melon can provide additive effects when taken with conventional diabetes medication.
LOWERS CHOLESTEROL & OBESITY
Recent studies have shown that bitter melon can help treat hypercholesterolemia and lower dangerously high levels of bad cholesterol. Reducing cholesterol significantly reduces heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. Studies have also shown that bitter melon increases lipid metabolism that helps to burn fat thus preventing obesity.
GET RID OF KIDNEY STONES
Most kidney stones are hardened formations of calcium phosphate or calcium oxalate. Bitter melon can be helpful in ridding the body of kidney stones by naturally breaking them down. Bitter melon also reduces the high acid that produces painful kidney stones.
GREAT FOR YOUR SKIN
Bitter melon is considered as one of the best food for curing and treating acne, pimples and other skin problems and allergies like itching, rash, etc. because of its anti-fungal, anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful in treating blood disorders like blood boils, scabies, itching, psoriasis, ringworm and other fungal diseases.
Not a fan of the bitterness? Here are 3
quick
tips on how to
mellow down the bitter taste
from bitter melons.
SCRAPE OFF THE SKIN & DESEED
To reduce the bitterness of a bitter gourd, you can scrape off the rugged surface from the top with the help of a peeler to smoothen its surface. It also helps when you remove the seeds before cooking.
RUB IN SALT
Salt helps to draw out the bitter juice. Rub a generous amount of salt over the sliced bits of bitter melon. Allow it to sit for 20-30 minutes, then rinse before cooking.
LOWERS CHOLESTEROL & OBESITY
Another way is to dilute bitter gourd pieces in diluted yogurt for at least an hour before cooking.
BITTER MELON TEA
Unlike bitter melon juice that blends the vegetable pieces into a smoothie, bitter melon tea can be made by either infusing dried slices of bitter melon or brewing its leaves, fruit and seeds, in water. You can add in lemon and honey to counter the bitterness.
ADD IT IN SOUPS
Consume the benefits of this vegetable by adding it in soups. Make sure to remove the seeds before adding the chopped pieces into your soup to avoid turning the soup bitter.
BITTER MELON CHIPS
Prepare healthy and crispy bitter melon chips by slicing the vegetable into thin round slices. Remove the seeds. Mix with salt, turmeric and chilli powder, before spreading it on a baking tray. Drizzle a little oil and bake!
PREGNANCY
Bitter melon in pregnancy is safe when taken in moderate amounts but if consumed too much, it can cause early contractions. Certain chemicals in bitter melon might start menstrual bleeding and have caused abortion in animals.
DIABETES
Eating bitter melon while you are on diabetes medications may cause your blood sugar to drop more than the normal level leading to severe hypoglycaemia. Since more clinical research is required, till then bitter melon should not replace other diabetic practices.
Despite its unattractive appearance and a taste that most people would despise, bitter melon along with its bitterness also comes with a wealth of health benefits that makes it a healthy, occasional addition to your diet.
The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss, which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.
AIA Vitality is a unique insurance and health programme that actively supports and rewards you for making healthier choices every day so you can live a healthier, longer and better life.
