HOW IS BITTER MELON USEFUL?

Bitter melon or Karela is a tropical vegetable. It grows across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean Islands. As the name suggests, the vegetable has a bitter taste. In the Indian subcontinent, where the plant is believed to have originated, bitter melon is used both for culinary and medicinal purposes. The health benefits of bitter melon are attributed to its bitter principles.

The scientific name of bitter melon is Momordica charantia. The main active constituent of the food is charantin, which gives the vegetable its bitter flavor. In addition to charantin, bitter melon contains alkaloids and peptides called p-insulin that mimic the human insulin. These constituents of bitter melon work together to support blood sugar level.

GOODNESS OF BITTER MELON

Scientific studies have shown that bitter melon compounds help in activating a protein that plays a vital role in metabolism of carbohydrate and supports absorption of glucose. There is a direct correlation between insulin resistance and obesity. Bitter melon apart from its possible role in regulating glucose is good for the overall health.