Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia)
Form: Extract
Food source: Bitter melon
Benefits of Bitter Melon
- Blood glucose metabolism
What is Bitter Mellon
As the name suggests, Bitter Melon is a plant with a bitter taste that becomes more bitter as it ripens. It’s grown and eaten in Chinese, Indian and Japanese cuisines as well as being used for traditional herbal medicine. Bitter Melon is rich in vitamins and nutrients including Vitamins C and A and Folate.
Bitter Melon is acclaimed for the support it may provide to glucose metabolism, helping control blood sugar levels. Some studies show that it may improve insulin secretion, the hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. The theory goes that by making insulin more effective, Bitter Melon can lower the levels of sugar in the blood. Lowering blood sugar can reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
You may be interested in reading ‘Best foods for Type 2 diabetes’ and ‘Symptoms of high and low blood sugar’.