Why It Is Called Bitter Melon?

Bitter melon (also known as Momordica charantia or bitter gourd) is a plant that gets its name from its taste. It becomes more and more bitter as it ripens. It grows in a number of areas, including Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.

Does bitter melon have another name?

Bitter melon, also sometimes called bitter gourd or bitter cucumber (and by countless other names in other languages from Malay to Tamil to Tagalog) is an extremely bitter fruit found throughout Asia, South Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.

What is the origin of bitter melon?

Bitter melon originated in Africa where it was a dry-season staple food of ǃKung hunter-gatherers. Wild or semi-domesticated variants spread across Asia in prehistory, and it was likely fully domesticated in Southeast Asia. It is widely used in the cuisines of East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Is bitter melon actually a melon?

From the outside, the name “bitter melon” seems to have nothing to do with the fruit in question: It doesn’t look like a melon, though it does hail from Cucurbitaceae, the same vine-friendly family that brings us watermelon and cantaloupe.

Is bitter melon really bitter?

The bitter melon is more than a divisive gourd that people either love or hate, though. Its unpleasant flavor means that it is also full of a compound known as cucurbitacins, which are indeed very bitter, but are also very beneficial to health.

Is bitter melon safe to eat?

At least in the short-term, bitter melon seems to be safe. It can cause headaches, upset stomach, cramping, and diarrhea. Risks. Bitter melon may affect blood sugar levels.

Is bitter melon healthy?

Bitter melon is especially rich in vitamin C, an important micronutrient involved in disease prevention, bone formation, and wound healing ( 2 ). It’s also high in vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes skin health and proper vision ( 3 ).

Who discovered bitter melon?

Bitter melon originated in India, and it was carried to China in the 14th century.

What are the benefits of bitter melon?

It has been traditionally used to treat diabetes. Bitter melon contains a chemical that acts like insulin to help reduce blood sugar levels. People commonly use bitter melon for diabetes, osteoarthritis, athletic performance, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

What is the difference between bitter gourd and bitter melon?

Bitter gourd is also a vegetable of many names. It is equally known as bitter melon, bitter cucumber, balsam-pear, bitter apple, or bitter squash. This vegetable is also called karela in India, nigauri in Japan, goya in Okinawa, ampalaya in the Philippines, and ku-gua throughout China.

Who should not eat bitter gourd?

If you have diabetes and are taking medications to lower your blood sugar, avoid eating bitter gourd as it might make your blood sugar drop too low. Having bitter gourd during and after a surgery might affect your blood sugar levels. So, it is best not to eat bitter melon at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Is bitter melon seeds poisonous?

The red arils that cover the seeds of bitter melon are also poisonous to humans. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center says you should keep all parts of the bitter melon plant away from children, who are at a greater risk of a toxic reaction.

Is bitter gourd good for kidney?

You can term gourds as the Gods of vegetables for kidney diseases. Several varieties of gourds include bottle gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, striped gourd, bitter gourd, and other gourds. These gourds are low in sodium and potassium content. Hence they are ideal for consumption for people with kidney disorders.

What are the side effects of bitter melon?

Some of the risks and complications of bitter melon include:

• diarrhea, vomiting, and other intestinal issues.
• vaginal bleeding, contractions, and abortion.
• dangerous lowering of blood sugar if taken with insulin.
• liver damage.
• favism (which can cause anemia) in those with G6PD deficiency.

Which bitter melon is best?

The “best” bitter melons are smaller in size with firm flesh because the larger it grows the more present those bitter compounds are. Though the large, fleshy seeds are edible, most cooks scoop away the seeds due to their additional astringency.

What happens if you eat bitter gourd everyday?

Karela has a high amount of antioxidants, and this helps it to cure many problems related to corrupted blood. Regular consumption of bitter gourd leads to improvement in skin, hair and cancer problems. Also, it helps to improve blood circulation.

Is Bittermelon good for acid reflux?

Bitter melon acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. Bitter herbs are thought to stimulate digestive function by increasing saliva production and promoting both stomach acid and digestive enzyme production.

Does bitter melon raise blood pressure?

Since ancient times, the fruit, as well as its vines, leaves and roots, have been used as medicine, according to a May 2019 report in the journal ​Biomolecules​. However, there’s currently little to no scientific evidence supporting the claim that bitter melon can help lower blood pressure.

Does bitter melon cure infection?

Improves immunity
Bitter gourd boosts your immunity and protects you against many diseases. Drink bitter gourd juice to get rid of skin disorders like blemishes and acne. It is an excellent remedy for disorders like itching, scabies, ringworm, boils and other fungal infections.

Can you take bitter melon everyday?

Anyone considering taking bitter melon alongside their diabetes treatment should consume no more than: 50–100 milliliters daily of juice. about 2–3 ounces throughout the day. one small bitter melon per day.

Is Bittermelon good for inflammation?

Immune cells are involved in inflammation-based responses. Bitter melon is known to interact with immune cells. Multiple studies have shown that various extracts of MC can act as immunomodulators and, hence, can also act as anti-inflammatory agents.