Jan 16 2008
Bitter is Better
Don’t let the name fool you. Bitter Melon is actually a delicious and nutritious vegetable. A member of the squash family native to southern
China, it is medium to light green in color, oblong and averaging 8 inches, narrowing to a point.
When cooked right and when dormant taste buds on the tongue are given a chance to become acquainted with this vegetable, Bitter Melon can actually be quite pleasant. Aside from its outstanding flavor, Bitter Melon also has various medicinal properties.
Its bitterness comes from the high concentration of quinine it contains which is the reason why it is regarded as a valuable drug for preventing and treating malaria.
Bitter Melon was traditionally used by people of tropical regions to cure a range of conditions. It was believed to treat cancer, leukemia, and HIV. Today, Bitter Melon has been reported to help in the treatment of diabetes and psoriasis. Its blood lowering action has been confirmed in scientific studies.
An Indian study published in 1999 examined Bitter Melon’s effect on 100 people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers tested the participant’s blood sugar levels in a fasting state and after drinking glucose. They then took 150 to 200 mL of bitter melon extract. Researchers found that 86% of the participants experienced and average 14% drop in blood sugar after fasting and drinking glucose.
Three different constituents have been reported to have hypoglycemic actions in benefit to diabetes mellitus. These include steroidal saponins, insulin-like peptides and alkaloids.
Bitter Melon helps control blood glucose levels and keeps body functions working normally. It contains a polypeptide considered similar to bovine insulin, which has been proven to reach a positive sugar regulating effect by suppressing the neural response to sweet taste.
Rich in iron, Bitter Melon has twice the beta carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, twice the potassium of bananas and vitamin C. It is believed to inhibit HIV-1 infection and act as an anti-tumor agent.
Though indisputably good bitter medicine, Asians like bitter melon because they are fond of the taste. Americans may take some time to love this bitter vegetable but may become addicted once the taste is acquired. It would be sensible for a beginner to ease into it, starting with a mild bitter and gradually working up to higher concentrations.