Hello, I’m Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum and today we’re going to talk about the health benefits of bitter melon. This peculiar-looking vegetable, also known as karela or bitter gourd, is often disregarded due to its extreme bitter taste. However, if you can develop a taste for it, you’ll reap numerous health benefits.
Good for the Liver and Blood Sugar
Bitter melon has compounds that help the liver in all of its functions. It aids in lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, making it beneficial for heart health. Many cultures incorporate bitter melon in their diets because of its amazing capability of lowering blood sugar. Patients have reported reversing pre-diabetic tendencies and even full-blown diabetes by eating bitter melon regularly.
Weight Loss and Glowing Skin
Bitter melon has been shown to stop the formation and growth of fat cells, making it a useful tool for weight loss. It also promotes healthy, glowing skin by reflecting the health of the blood and liver. It is often used to treat various skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Cleansing and Detoxifying
Bitter melon can cleanse the blood, penetrate deep into other tissues, and clean them out. This includes fat and nerve tissues, where environmental toxins tend to accumulate. However, it’s important to avoid drinking bitter melon juice, as cooking it in a fat like ghee or olive oil ensures better absorption of its nutrients.
Beneficial for the Eyes and Cancer Prevention
Ayurveda recognizes the relationship between the liver and the eyes, both considered pitta organs sensitive to heat. Cooling the liver helps protect the eyes. Bitter melon contains vitamin A and beta-carotene, which improve vision and prevent cataracts. It also fights and prevents cancer, particularly breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
Bitter melon is a nutritional powerhouse, containing twice the amount of calcium compared to spinach and broccoli, as well as twice the amount of potassium compared to a banana. It’s a great alternative for those who need to avoid bananas due to their tendency to create congestion in the body.
Supporting Liver Health for Overall Well-being
Since the liver has over 500 functions and affects many important processes in the body, supporting its health is crucial for preventing most diseases. Including bitter melon in your regular diet can go a long way in promoting overall well-being.
Conclusion
If you have access to fresh bitter melon, consider incorporating it into your meals. If not, you can try Vija Mishra’s bitter melon soup mix, which provides a convenient way to enjoy the benefits of this vegetable. Whether you’re looking to improve your liver function, regulate blood sugar, promote weight loss, or enhance your skin and eye health, bitter melon can be an excellent addition to your diet.
I hope this information is of great benefit to you as you strive to improve your health. Thank you!
Discover more from LIVELIFE
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
Thanks for sharing this information, Dr. Teitelbaum. I’ve been looking for ways to improve my liver health. I will have to try incorporating bitter melon into my diet.
Oh interesting. I never knew bitter melon had so many health benefits. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it at the grocery store.
I’ve never tried bitter melon before, but it sounds like it has a lot of positive effects on health. I’m particularly interested in its benefits for weight loss and skin health.
I can’t stand the taste of bitter melon, but the health benefits seem to be impressive. Maybe I’ll give it another try.