Bitter melon has a bitter taste, is non-toxic, and has a cooling effect. It enters the heart, liver, spleen, and lung meridians.
Bitter melon has high nutritional value. Every 100 grams of edible portion of tender melon contains 0.7-3.0 grams of crude protein, 0.2 grams of fat, 1.8-3.0 grams of sugar, 1.7-2.5 grams of dietary fiber, 18-20 milligrams of calcium, 20-80 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.6 milligrams of iron, 0.08 milligrams of carotene, 0.7 milligrams of vitamin B, and a high content of vitamin C, ranging from 56-160 milligrams, making it the highest among all melons and vegetables.
The benefits of bitter melon
Promotes appetite and reduces inflammation and fever
Bitter melon glycosides and bitter substances can stimulate appetite and invigorate the spleen. The alkaloids in bitter melon, such as quinine, have diuretic and blood-activating effects, reduce inflammation and fever, and have a calming and vision-improving effect.
Anticancer properties
The protein components and abundant vitamin C in bitter melon can enhance the body's immune function and enable immune cells to kill cancer cells. Bitter melon juice contains a certain protein component that can enhance macrophage activity, which is effective in treating lymphosarcoma and leukemia. Protease inhibitors extracted from bitter melon seeds can inhibit the proteases secreted by cancer cells and prevent the growth of malignant tumors. The bitter substances in bitter melon can inhibit the secretion of proteins by malignant tumors and prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells. Experiments conducted abroad have found that bitter melon can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the tongue, throat, oral cavity, and nasopharynx.
Reduces blood sugar
Fresh bitter melon juice contains bitter melon glycosides and substances similar to insulin, which have a good effect of lowering blood sugar and make it an ideal food for diabetics.
Contraindications for consuming bitter melon
People with low blood pressure or low blood sugar should avoid consuming bitter melon.
Bitter melon has the effect of lowering blood sugar and clearing heat, making it suitable for people who have a diet that is relatively greasy or have high blood sugar. However, if bitter melon is consumed excessively in pursuit of its benefits to the body, it may harm the heart and have adverse effects on heart health. Bitter melon can lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so it should not be consumed by people with low blood pressure or low blood sugar, and excessive consumption is not recommended for normal individuals. It is important not to consume any food in large quantities, not just bitter melon!
People with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should avoid consuming bitter melon.
Bitter melon is a cold food. People who frequently have loose stools, frequent urination, poor appetite, fear of cold, pale complexion, weak tongue, and deep pulse are mostly deficient in yang energy or have a deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach. These individuals are not suitable for consuming bitter melon on a regular basis, as it may cause discomfort in the stomach area, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and even symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
People who need to supplement calcium should avoid consuming bitter melon.
Oxalic acid in bitter melon can hinder the absorption of calcium in food. Therefore, before consuming bitter melon, it should be blanched in boiling water to remove oxalic acid. People who need to supplement a large amount of calcium should not consume too much bitter melon.
Children
Pre-school children should not consume excessive amounts of bitter melon. Children have pure yang bodies, often have excess in the stomach, and deficiency in the spleen. In addition, their self-control ability is poor, so excessive consumption of bitter melon can easily harm the spleen and stomach.
Pregnant women
Pregnant women should be cautious when consuming bitter melon. Bitter melon contains quinine, which can stimulate uterine contractions and cause miscarriage. Therefore, some people suggest that pregnant women should not eat bitter melon. Although the content of quinine in bitter melon is very small and moderate consumption is generally not a problem, it is still advisable for pregnant women to consume bitter melon in moderation.
