Medicinal remedies from home gardens have been used for centuries across different cultures. Popular items include chamomile, echinacea, ginger, and garlic. While herbal remedies are not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may have side effects if used in excess, there is very interesting research coming out as to their use as a complementary therapy. Yard2Kitchen Organic Gardens has recently begun to offer bitter melon. Bitter melon may have some anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulant and cholesterol reduction properties. Let’s explore some of the research on bitter melon, but remind you to please speak with doctor before using any herbal remedies.
Important Nutrients
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a vine originally from India and other Asian countries. In terms of basic nutrients, bitter melon is especially rich in vitamin C, and is high in vitamin A. It also provides folate, as well as smaller amounts of potassium, zinc, and iron. Bitter melon also contains some great antioxidant compounds that can help protect your cells against free radicals.
Impact on Blood Sugar
Bitter melon has long been used by indigenous populations around the world as a treatment for diabetes-related conditions, as it has been shown to improve several markers of long-term blood sugar control.
While thorough research in humans is limited, a small study of adults with diabetes showed that taking 2,000 mg of bitter melon daily decreased blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c. More studies are needed to understand how bitter melon may impact blood sugar levels in the general population.
Cancer-Fighting Properties
Some research indicates that bitter melon contains certain compounds that help fight cancer. One small study showed that concentrated amounts of bitter melon extract was effective at killing cancer cells of the stomach, colon, lung, and nasopharynx.
More extensive research is needed to determine how bitter melon may affect cancer growth and development in humans when consumed in the normal amounts found in food.
Support of Heart Health
Cholesterol can cause fatty plaque to accumulate in your arteries, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood and increasing your risk of heart disease.
Several studies with rats found that bitter melon led to significant decreases in levels of total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, thus supporting overall heart health.
Additional studies are needed to determine whether these same effects apply to humans eating bitter melon as part of a balanced diet.
We do know that food is medicine! And we look forward to hearing about more research with bitter melon and medicinal herbs. If you are interested in growing bitter melon or learning more about having your own backyard organic garden, Contact Us.