Bitter melon's therapeutic uses
Bitter melon, also known as Momordica charantia, is a natural plant widely utilized in traditional medicine, particularly in Asian cultures, for its potential health benefits. It is primarily recognized for its proposed therapeutic uses in managing diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, and is often consumed as a food or taken in capsule form as a supplement. Bitter melon is thought to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been historically used for various ailments, including digestive issues, immune support, liver health, and skin conditions.
Despite its popularity, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in diabetes management is limited, with some studies showing mixed results and a notable lack of robust, controlled human trials. There are concerns regarding safety, particularly the risk of severely low blood sugar levels when bitter melon is combined with conventional diabetes medications. Additionally, there are potential risks for certain groups, such as young children and nursing women, and the effects of bitter melon on fertility and liver health warrant caution. As such, individuals interested in incorporating bitter melon into their health regimen should do so under medical supervision, particularly if they are already managing diabetes or other health conditions.
Bitter melon's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Diabetes, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer properties
Overview
Widely sold in Asian groceries as food, bitter melon is also a folk remedy for diabetes, cancer, and various infections. Bitter melon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has also been used in traditional medicines to treat digestion issues, boost immunity, support liver health, and relieve skin conditions.
Therapeutic Dosages
The typical dosage of bitter melon is one small, unripe, raw melon or about 50 to 100 milliliters (ml) of fresh juice, divided into two or three doses throughout the day. The only problem is that bitter melon tastes extremely bitter.
Therapeutic Uses
Bitter melon continues to be advertised as an effective treatment for diabetes, especially of the type 2 variety. However, the evidence used to support this claim is limited. Animal studies and some uncontrolled human trials have shown its efficacy for blood sugar control. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can prove a treatment effective, and such studies of bitter melon are limited. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study appeared to show little benefit. Other such studies have had mixed results regarding bitter melon’s effectiveness in regulating lipid levels, body weight, and blood pressure.
In test-tube studies, a protein in bitter melon called MAP-30 kills viruses and slows the growth of some cancer cells. However, it is a long way from the test tube to real people, and there have not yet been any human trials of bitter melon or its constituents for treating cancer or viral diseases.
Safety Issues
As a widely eaten food in Asia, bitter melon is often regarded as safe. However, it does appear to present some health risks. The most significant of these comes from the fact that it may work. Combining bitter melon with standard drugs may reduce blood sugar too well, possibly leading to dangerously low blood sugar levels. There are case reports of two children with diabetes who went into hypoglycemic comas after taking bitter melon. For this reason, persons taking drugs for diabetes should add bitter melon to their diet only with a physician’s supervision. Also, one should not stop taking any medications and take bitter melon instead, as it is not as powerful as insulin or other conventional treatments.
Other possible risks include impaired fertility, liver inflammation, and spontaneous abortion. The safety of bitter melon use in young children, nursing women, or those with severe kidney disease has not been established. Those taking medications to reduce blood sugar should be aware that bitter melon might amplify the effect of those medications and that they may need to reduce the dosage.
Bibliography
Ahmad, N., et al. "Effect of Momordica charantia (Karolla) Extracts on Fasting and Postprandial Serum Glucose Levels in NIDDM Patients." Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, vol. 25, 1999, pp. 11-13.
Basch, E., S. Gabardi, and C. Ulbricht. "Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia): A Review of Efficacy and Safety." American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, vol. 60, 2003, pp. 356–59.
“Bitter Melon.” NCBI, 20 Mar. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590483. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.
Dans, A. M., et al. "The Effect of Momordica charantia Capsule Preparation on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Needs Further Studies." Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, vol. 60, 2007, pp. 554–59.
Gayathry, K.S. and Jenny Ann John. "A Comprehensive Review on Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) as a Gold Mine of Functional Bioactive Components for Therapeutic Foods." Food Production & Nutrition, vol. 4, no. 10, 25 May 2022, doi:10.1186/s43014-022-00089-x. Accessed 12 Dec. 2022.
Kwatra, Deep, et al. "Bitter Melon as a Therapy for Diabetes, Inflammation, and Cancer: a Panacea?" Current Pharmacology Reports, vol. 2, 2016, pp. 34–44.