Bitter melon is an ingredient used to make many dishes with attractive flavors. Not only that, this is also a fruit that brings good effects to health. To learn about those effects as well as some things to know when using this food, please read the following article..

1. What are the health benefits of bitter melon?

Bitter melon is an edible fruit with a bitter taste. This food contains many nutrients that are good for health such as vitamins (C, B1, B12, …), calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, fiber, protein, fat, beta-carotene, …

The health benefits of this food include:

1.1. Support treatment of type 2 diabetes

This is a food that reduces blood sugar levels by increasing glucose metabolism. This food has the effect of supporting treatment for people with type 2 diabetes.

However, if you are taking any medication that affects blood sugar levels, you should be careful about using bitter melon. This is to avoid reducing blood sugar levels too much.

Bitter melon helps support in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

1.2. Reduce blood cholesterol

Using bitter melon also helps reduce blood cholesterol. Thereby, it helps to improve cardiovascular health, significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

1.3. Strengthen the immune system

Consuming bitter melon will help you strengthen your immune system to prevent diseases and infections. Thereby, helping to prevent colds, limiting the possibility of food allergies. Along with that, it reduces the risk of indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux.

Consuming bitter melon helps strengthen the body’s immune system.

1.4. Weight loss support

Along with that, bitter melon is also a food you can choose to add to your diet menu. Because it contains low calories, creates a feeling of fullness for longer, supporting your weight loss process to achieve the desired results to control and maintain a reasonable weight.

1.5. Good for the skin

Regular use of bitter melon helps brighten the skin, moisturize the skin, support in improving acne, eczema or psoriasis. This will create conditions for you to have a more beautiful, smooth and attractive skin.

1.6. Reduce constipation

Bitter melon contains fiber that helps stimulate laxatives. Therefore, consuming this food can help the body defecate more easily, minimizing constipation.

1.7. Some other effects

In addition to the effects mentioned, bitter melon is also a food that is good for people with hepatitis and cirrhosis; helps enhance the function of the digestive system; reduces the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome; contributes to improving eyesight; helps clear heat and detoxify;…

2. Some things to know when using bitter melon

Thus, bitter melon is a food that contains many nutrients, possessing good effects on the health of the user. By adding bitter melon to your diet, you can take advantage of those effects. Here are some things you should know so that using this food is truly effective as desired.

2.1. Using bitter melon

Bitter melon is a food that is often chosen to be included in daily meals. It can be used raw, such as sliced ​​and eaten with pork floss. Or combined with other ingredients to make delicious dishes, such as stuffed bitter melon, stir-fried bitter melon with eggs, stir-fried bitter melon with beef, etc.

2.2. Who should not use it?

Although bitter melon has many good effects on health, there are some people who should not use this food. These are the following subjects:

Pregnant women, especially in the early stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding women;

• Children;
• Patients with low blood pressure;
• People with digestive problems;
• Patients before and after surgery (stop eating at least 2 weeks before and after surgery);
• People with calcium deficiency;
• People with G6PD deficiency.

People with low blood pressure should not use bitter melon.

2.3. Some side effects that may occur

Using too much bitter melon can cause bloating, indigestion, belching, and diarrhea. In addition, overusing this food carries the risk of sudden hypoglycemia, causing headaches, dizziness, sweating, and possibly fainting.

2.4. Some notes when using

In addition, to ensure the effectiveness and avoid facing unwanted side effects, you can keep in mind a few notes as follows:

• Consume in moderation, do not overuse.
• Do not combine bitter melon with shrimp or eat it at the same time with fried pork ribs or mangosteen.
• Avoid drinking green tea after eating bitter melon because it can affect the stomach. Instead, wait a few hours after eating before drinking.
• Do not eat bitter melon on an empty stomach.

Avoid overusing bitter melon, only use in moderation.

Through the above article, readers have learned more information related to bitter melon about its effects on health as well as some things to know when using this food. Thereby, it can help you know how to effectively use bitter melon in your diet to take advantage of the wonderful benefits it brings.