Is it good to drink bitter melon juice regularly? Especially for people with specific health problems such as diabetes, cirrhosis, high blood pressure, … or are taking medication, it is very important to consult a doctor before adding bitter melon juice to your diet. Your doctor can give specific instructions and suggest the appropriate dosage that you should use.

What is bitter melon?

Bitter melon is a young, soft fruit of the genus Momordica in the gourd family, along with fruits such as squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber. The scientific name of bitter melon is Momordica charantia, and some related varieties include balsam pear, cundeamor, la-kwa. Although its bitter taste may make some people feel uncomfortable, bitter melon can actually improve our health thanks to its phytochemical compounds that prevent disease and increase resistance.

Bitter melon belongs to the genus Momordica in the gourd family.

Bitter melon appears in many traditional Asian dishes and is widely grown as a field crop and backyard vegetable. In fact, it is one of the most bitter of all culinary vegetables. Bitter melon is probably native to Southeast Asia. Like other members of the Cucurbitaceae family, bitter melon is a fast-growing vine, growing in a trail or climbing pattern with thin stems and tendrils that curl into a trellis.

The bitter rind is characterized by soft ridges along its length and a rough surface. Depending on the variety, the rind can be light to dark green and is oblong or oval in shape with a pointed tip at the flower end. Inside, the flesh is white with rough grains, somewhat resembling a ribbed gourd seed. Bitter melon contains many nutrients important to the body, especially vitamins and minerals.

Health Benefits of Bitter Melon

Bitter melon is known for its cooling properties, helping to clear heat, detoxify and cool the liver, as well as treat prickly heat.

Bitter melon helps cool the liver and treat prickly heat.

It contains a large amount of nutrients necessary for the body such as fiber, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin B groups including vitamins B9, B3, B5, B6, B2, B1; especially the amount of vitamin C in bitter melon is very high. Using bitter melon is not only nutritious but also helps cool and beautify the skin. For women, bitter melon is considered a valuable medicine thanks to its ability to brighten the skin and is effective in treating acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Dried bitter melon has the same effect as fresh bitter melon. Glycoside compounds not only help lower blood fat but also reduce blood sugar, making it a suitable food for people with high blood fat or diabetes. Bitter melon also helps reduce cirrhosis, hepatitis, constipation and strengthen the immune system.

In addition, bitter melon has very few calories and can create a feeling of fullness for a longer time, which can become an effective choice in a weight loss regimen.

Is it good to drink bitter melon juice regularly?

Drinking bitter melon juice regularly can bring some health benefits, but it also needs to be carefully considered depending on each person’s health condition and specific purpose of use.

Drink bitter melon juice in the right dose and the right way

Bitter melon is rich in important nutrients such as vitamins C, K, A, and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. It also contains antioxidants and antibacterial compounds that may be beneficial to health.

However, the bitter taste of bitter melon can make many people reluctant to drink it, especially those who are not used to bitter tastes. In addition, some people may experience side effects such as diarrhea or indigestion after drinking bitter melon juice.

If you are still wondering whether drinking bitter melon juice regularly is good for you, consult your doctor or nutritionist. Your doctor will examine and evaluate your health condition and provide specific instructions on how to use bitter melon that is right for you. This is especially important for people with specific health problems or who are taking medication.

Some notes when drinking bitter melon juice regularly

To ensure effectiveness and avoid unwanted side effects, there are a few notes when drinking bitter melon juice regularly:

• Consume bitter melon in moderation, do not abuse it. Using the appropriate level helps avoid unwanted effects that may occur when using too much.
• Avoid combining bitter melon with shrimp or eating fried pork ribs or mangosteen at the same time.
• Combining these foods can cause problems with digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Limit drinking green tea immediately after eating bitter melon because it can affect the stomach. Instead, wait a few hours after eating before drinking green tea to ensure the best digestion.
• Avoid eating or drinking bitter melon when hungry. Eating bitter melon when hungry can increase discomfort and cause digestive problems.

Avoid eating or drinking bitter melon on an empty stomach

Although bitter melon has many health benefits, there are some groups of people who should not use this food. Here are some groups of people:

• Pregnant women, especially in the early stages and women who are breastfeeding: Using bitter melon can have negative effects on the fetus and newborn.
• Children: Bitter melon can cause digestive problems and is not suitable for the digestive system of young children.
• People with low blood pressure: Due to the cool and cold properties of bitter melon, it can cause side effects such as reducing blood pressure, causing dizziness for people with low blood pressure.
• People with digestive problems: Bitter melon can have negative effects on the digestive system, especially when the person already has digestive problems such as food allergies, colitis or gastritis.
• Patients before and after surgery: This person should limit the use of bitter melon at least 2 weeks before and after surgery to avoid causing side effects or affecting the recovery process after surgery.
• People with calcium deficiency: Bitter melon can cause calcium loss from the body, so it is not suitable for people at risk of calcium deficiency.
• People with G6PD deficiency: G6PD is an enzyme necessary for the production of red blood cells. Using bitter melon can cause health problems, especially for people with G6PD deficiency.
  For the above groups of people, limiting or avoiding the use of bitter melon will help protect your health.

Hopefully the content of the article has helped you answer the question of whether drinking bitter melon juice regularly is good? Drinking bitter melon juice should follow a reasonable dosage and should not be drunk in excess. Drinking too much can cause unwanted side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or belching.