Karela Or Bittergourd Can Help Manage Diabetes Better
Most of us avoid eating or rather dislike bitter gourd or karela due to its bitter taste, but what we lose by keeping it out of our diet are many nutrients required by body and thereby missing out on its health benefits. It is known to be highly beneficial for diabetics owing to the two very essential compounds called charatin and momordicin, that are the key compounds in lowering one’s blood sugar levels. It is also packed with anti-oxidants that helps the body fight off the associated complications commonly seen in diabetics by scavenging free radicals. More importantly, the seeds of the plant are packed with a plant insulin called polypeptide-P, that mimics the insulin produced by the human pancreas, and reduces one’s sugar levels. You may like to read about home remedies for diabetes. Not only for diabetes, karela is known to have various other benefits like to maintain a healthy digestive health etc. Tip: If you suffer from low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia, do not have karela juice or karela concentrate. It can cause a sudden drop in your blood sugar levels leading to a number of serious complications. Get the best out of karela The best way to have it is to consume as a juice, with its seeds on an empty stomach. Cut the karela with the skin and the seeds, soak in water with salt and haldi or turmeric for 15 minutes. This will help reduce the bitter taste. Now take out the pieces from the water and grind it with the water and a few drops of lemon. Sieve out the fibrous part and drink on an empty stomach, preferably first thing in the morning. Karela juice also has various health benefits and drinking it daily is ideal not only for diabetics but also everyone. For a change of taste and an added boost to your immune system try adding half a piece of amla or India Continue reading >>
Bitter Melon And Diabetes
Tweet Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or karela (in India), is a unique vegetable-fruit that can be used as food or medicine. It is the edible part of the plant Momordica Charantia, which is a vine of the Cucurbitaceae family and is considered the most bitter among all fruits and vegetables. The plant thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, including: South America Asia parts of Africa the Caribbean The bitter melon itself grows off the vine as a green, oblong-shaped fruit with a distinct warty exterior - though its size, texture and bitterness vary between the different regions in which it grows - and is rich in vital vitamins and minerals. How does it affect diabetes? In addition to being a food ingredient, bitter melon has also long been used as a herbal remedy for a range of ailments, including type 2 diabetes. The fruit contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties, including charantin, which has been confirmed to have a blood glucose-lowering effect, vicine and an insulin-like compound known as polypeptide-p. These substances either work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels. It is also known that bitter melon contains a lectin that reduces blood glucose concentrations by acting on peripheral tissues and suppressing appetite - similar to the effects of insulin in the brain. This lectin is thought to be a major factor behind the hypoglycemic effect that develops after eating bitter melon. Scientific evidence A number of clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of bitter melon in the treatment of diabetes. In January 2011, the results of a four-week clinical trial were published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, which showed that a 2,000 mg daily dose of bitter melon significantly r Continue reading >>
Bitter Gourd (karela) Juice For Diabetes – How To Prepare, Benefits, And Dosage
Bitter gourd or bitter melon (karela) juice is the best natural medicine for diabetes. Drinking it early in the morning on an empty stomach helps lower your blood sugar levels and reduces the possibility of diabetes-related health complications like weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. But the problem with bitter gourd juice is that many people find it unpalatable due to its bitter taste. And this is where our article comes into play. Our amazing bitter gourd juice recipe will help you down it without thinking twice. Read on to find out how to prepare bitter gourd juice, dosage, etc. Let’s begin! Highlights Of The Article Bitter gourd is also known as bitter melon, African cucumber, balsam apple, karela, and ampalaya. Its color ranges from white to fresh green. It is 3-12 inches tall, has crocodile-like skin, and is a vine-grown bitter-tasting vegetable that belongs to the cucumber family. The riper it is, the more bitter it is. But this bitter vegetable is a traditional medicine for treating diabetes. Find out what diabetes is and why it affects so many people in the next section. Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world (1). It is a chronic disease that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells become insulin resistant. Insulin is a hormone that helps in glucose uptake by the cells. High blood sugar levels for a prolonged duration leads to diabetes and other related diseases. Diabetic genes are passed on from generation to generation, but the condition can also occur due to a sedentary lifestyle and improper food habits. It can be classified into type I and type II. Type I diabetes is caused when the body produces inadequate amount or no insulin at all and is also known as juvenile diabete Continue reading >>
Antidiabetic Effects Of Momordica Charantia (bitter Melon) And Its Medicinal Potency
Go to: 1. Introduction Diabetes mellitus is considered as one of the five leading causes of death in the world[1]. Diabetes mellitus is a major global health concerning with a projected rise in prevalence from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030[2]. It is a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)[3]. Being a major degenerative disease, diabetes is found in all parts of the world and it is becoming the third most lethal disease of mankind and increasing rapidly[4]. It is the most common endocrine disorder, affecting 16 million individuals in the United States and as many as 200 million individuals worldwide. Diabetes has been a clinical model for general medicine[5]. Complementary and alternative medicine involves the use of herbs and other dietary supplements as alternatives to mainstream western medical treatment. A recent study has estimated that up to 30% of patients with diabetes mellitus use complementary and alternative medicine[6]. Medicinal plants and its products continue to be an important therapeutic aid for alleviating the ailments of human kind[7]–[9]. Herbs for diabetes treatment are not new. Since ancient times, plants and plant extracts were used to combat diabetes. Many traditional medicines in use are derived from medicinal plants, minerals and organic matter. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed 21 000 plants, which are used for medicinal purposes around the world. Among them, 150 species are used commercially on a fairly large scale[1],[10]. Momordica charantia (M. charantia), also known as bitter melon, karela, balsam pear, or bitter gourd, is a popular plant used for the treating of diabetes-related cond Continue reading >>
Bitter Melon: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, And Warning
African Cucumber, Ampalaya, Balsam Pear, Balsam-Apple, Balsambirne, Balsamine, Balsamo, Bitter Apple, Bitter Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Bittergurke, Carilla Fruit, Carilla Gourd, Cerasee, Chinli-Chih, Concombre Africain, Courge Amre, Cundeamor, Fructus Mormordicae Grosvenori, Karavella, Karela, Kareli, Kathilla, Kerala, Korolla, Kuguazi, K'u-Kua, Lai Margose, Margose, Meln Amargo, Melon Amer, Momordica, Momordica charantia, Momordica murcata, Momordique, Paroka, Pepino Montero, Poire Balsamique, Pomme de Merveille, P'u-T'ao, Sorosi, Sushavi, Ucche, Vegetable insulin, Wild Cucumber. Bitter melon is a vegetable used in India and other Asian countries. The fruit and seeds are used to make medicine. People use bitter melon for diabetes, stomach and intestinal problems, to promote menstruation, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Diabetes. Research results so far are conflicting and inconclusive. Some research shows that taking bitter melon can reduce blood sugar levels and lower HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar control over time) in people with type 2 diabetes. But these studies have some flaws, and conflicting results exist. Higher quality studies are needed. Bitter melon is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth short-term (up to 3 months). Bitter melon may cause an upset stomach in some people. The safety of long-term use of bitter melon is not known. There also is not enough information about the safety of applying bitter melon directly to the skin. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Bitter melon is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy. Certain chemicals in bitter melon might start menstrual bleeding and have caused abortion in animals. Not enough is known about the safety of using bitter melon du Continue reading >>
Bitter Gourd For Diabetes: Here's How Karela Juice Is One Of The Best Beverages For Diabetics
Bitter Gourd For Diabetes: Here's How Karela Juice Is One Of The Best Beverages For Diabetics Bitter Gourd For Diabetes: Here's How Karela Juice Is One of The Best Beverages For Diabetics Sushmita Sengupta | Updated: April 17, 2018 11:56 IST It is not easy managing diabetes. A diabetes-friendly diet comes with many restrictions. Even the most 'healthy' foods could set your blood sugar levels racing (Read: fruit juices ). Diabetes is fast emerging to be one of the most rampant conditions across the globe. Characterised by too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose), diabetes is often linked with many other health complications such as obesity and stroke. According to WHO, in the year 2014, 422 million people were diagnosed with diabetes across the world. The WHO also said that the prevalence of diabetes is steadily increasing in the past 3 decades and is growing most rapidly in low and middle income countries. Lack of awareness about diabetes management and its complications, delayed diagnosis, can make the condition worse and even lead to untimely death. When it comes to diabetes, one has to be very careful about their diet. In diabetes, due to abnormal metabolising of carbohydrates, one is advised to ditch refined carbs and take complex carbs instead. Diabetics are also recommended to take low glycemic index foods. The glycemic index (GI) is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels. Carbs with low GI value (55 or less) are digested, absorbed and metabolised slowly and cause a gradual rise in blood glucose. (Also Read: Does Having Sugary Food Cause Diabetes? ) When it comes to diabetes, one has to be very careful about their diet. While much is said about a perfect diabetes diet, many of these don't take into ac Continue reading >>
9 Wonder Foods For Diabetics
Eating foods with whole grains, fresh veggies, fruit & protein is a key to good health. And it becomes even more important if you are suffering from something like diabetes. As a diabetic, it is even more essential to watch what you eat, and take all possible steps to control your blood sugar levels. To help you manage your diabetes, here’s a list of 9 wonder foods that research has shown to be deeply beneficial in managing your blood sugar & helping you live healthier! These foods are packed with powerful antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, fiber and most importantly they are familiar and easy to find. Chances are, that to find them, you don’t have to hunt down specialty grocery stores as they are easily available in your kitchen. Amla For those suffering from diabetes, Amla is a good source of Vitamin C, which is required for repairing of pancreatic tissues. It also further prevents the damage of insulin producing cells. Amla contains chromium that regulates the carbohydrate metabolism in your body. Consumption of amla may make your body more responsive to Insulin. You can have one raw amla once in a day, but avoid processed forms of amla, especially those that have added sugar, as they can aggravate blood sugar levels.Get to know more about healthy sugar levels. Garlic Garlic has several health benefits and is not limited to a particular disease only. But, for a diabetes patient, regular consumption of garlic can help in increasing the amount of insulin released that regulates blood sugar levels. The sulphurous compounds present in garlic play a vital role in increasing insulin levels. Garlic has the potential of lowering the effects of complications developed because of diabetes. Research has shown that it also reduces bad cholesterol, fights infections and aids b Continue reading >>
Bitter Melon, Diabetes
I spent the last three weeks writing about low-carb eating. But at least one fruit, called bitter melon, seems to be a powerful treatment for diabetes, even if you do eat a lot of carbs. In reply to my column on reversing Type 2 diabetes, Debbie commented, My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 four months ago… he had a blood glucose reading of 370. [The] doctor put him on metformin — 1,000 mg a day, which brought his blood glucose down to the low 200’s. So the doctor upped his meds to 2,000 mg a day. Then someone told her about bitter melon tea, and she bought some at a local Asian grocery. He started drinking one cup of tea in the morning and one in the evening. The very next day, his fasting glucose dropped to around 80. He stopped his metformin and his fasting glucose levels have been under 100 ever since. His A1C dropped from 13.5 to 6.3. Since he has only been on the tea for a few weeks, his A1C will probably drop further at the next test. This is a man who is heavy, eats lots of pasta and rice, and whose exercise is “walking the dog twice a week.” Nothing else in his lifestyle has changed. Debbie is sure it’s the bitter melon tea that’s controlling the blood glucose. But one person’s experience is not enough. It’s “anecdotal evidence.” Is there any scientific backup for his story? Not much, but some. A study by researchers in Australia, China, and Germany found that four compounds in bitter melon that “activate an enzyme that is responsible for… transporting glucose from the blood into the cells.” The enzyme is called AMPK, the same one activated by exercise. According to the article, published in March 2008 in the journal Chemistry & Biology, AMPK moves glucose transporter molecules to the surface of cells. There they help bring glucose Continue reading >>
Surprising Benefits Of Bitter Melon For Diabetes
Bitter melon is also known as karela, bitter gourd, balsam apple, African cucumber and ampalaya. Botanically, this plant is known as Momordica charantia – it is a member of the gourd family, along with its cousins, pumpkin, acorn squash and zucchini. The plant itself is a tropical vine and looks a bit like a very warty cucumber! Bitter melon has been used in a number of traditional medicines as a treatment for diabetes. Analysis of bitter melon indicates that it is very high in antioxidants, a protein that seems to be active against tumor cells, [1] enzymes and fatty acids. It also contains charantin, which appears to be responsible for its effects on blood sugar, vicine and a substance which appears to mimic insulin—polypeptide p. What is the Evidence that Bitter Melon Can Benefit Diabetes? There are two main lines of evidence that bitter melon could potentially be useful in treating diabetes. These two lines of evidence are that bitter melon can lower blood sugar levels and lower blood triglyceride levels. These studies indicated that this can happen in cells, animal studies and in some human studies. At this point, the evidence is limited, but very promising because bitter melon appears to be safe in clinical studies and because of the long-term history of bitter melon as a food—and as a traditional medicine for diabetes. There is one major safety exception, however—any individual with a condition known as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. In these individuals, the vicine can, in theory, cause a form of anemia, headaches, fever, stomach pain and possibly coma. A recent paper compared the effect of bitter melon and metformin in newly diagnosed T2D patients and found that bitter melon (at either 500, 1000 or 2000 mg per day) was effective at Continue reading >>
Is Bitter Gourd Effective In Controlling Diabetes?
In addition to being a food ingredient, bitter melon has also long been used as a herbal remedy for a range of ailments, including type 2 diabetes. The fruit contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties, including charantin, which has been confirmed to have a blood glucose-lowering effect, vicine and an insulin-like compound known as polypeptide-p. It is also known that bitter melon contains a lectin that reduces blood glucose concentrations by acting on peripheral tissues and suppressing appetite - similar to the effects of insulin in the brain. This lectin is thought to be a major factor behind the hypoglycemic effect that develops after eating bitter melon. If you’re thinking of adding bitter melon to your diet, make sure you limit yourself to no more than two ounces of bitter melon (or more than two melons) a day, as excessive consumption can cause mild abdominal pain or diarrhoea. If you are considering using bitter melon for glycemic control, you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional first to check that it is safe for use alongside your prescribed diabetes medication, as there is the risk that taking bitter melon together with these drugs and/or insulin could cause hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar Continue reading >>
Is Bitter Gourd Good For Diabetes?
Bitter melon (Karela) has been in use in Indian kitchen since ages. It is a common vegetable in India. Its use can be seen in every household in India. Bitter melon is a climber growing in the temperate regions of India. The flowers are yellow in color and the fruit is bitter. Its bitter taste has amazing health benefits. One must not hate its bitter taste. Rather its bitter taste is useful in many diseases. Charaka samhita has classified bitter melon in Tikta skanda(bitter group of herbs) Bittermelon Capsules are made from Pure Organic Herbs and Standardized Herbal Extracts without using any Chemicals, Preservatives, Fillers, Starch or Additives. INGREDIENTS Silica gel (Dessicant To absorb moisture), No artificial colors, preservatives, yeast, starch or Chemicals DOSAGE & HOW TO TAKE? 1-2 capsules twice daily – About ½ hr. to 1 Hour after meals with plain or lukewarm water Benefits Of Bitter Melon Capsules (Karela Capsules) And Juice (Karela Saar) Natural anti-diabetic action Immunity enhancer Antitumor activity (constituents lutein and lycopene) Antiviral Aphrodisiac Increases tissue uptake of glucose (due to charantin) - Better sugar control Health Benefits of Bitter Melon: To reduce the sugar level in blood, 20-25 ml juice of bitter melon is beneficial. Type 2 diabetes is caused partially due to the inability of a cell to absorb the sugar in the blood due to insufficient insulin or due to development of resistance to insulin. In both cases, the cells are unable to absorb the sugar due to the ineffectiveness of the insulin In case of skin disorders like- eczema, paste of the leaves of bitter melon should be applied. Paste can also be used to treat wounds and external pile mass. Fruit cut into small pieces can be given to a person suffering from fever. Fresh juice Continue reading >>
Bitter Melon And Diabetes: How Does It Affect Blood Sugar Levels?
Diabetes is a condition that affects blood sugar levels and can lead to health issues if not properly managed. Could eating bitter melon be healthful for those looking to manage diabetes? The bodies of people with diabetes do not produce enough insulin or are not able to use insulin effectively, which leads to there being too much glucose in the blood. Insulin is required so that cells can use it for energy. A healthful diet and exercise are important for people with diabetes to help them manage their condition. Certain foods can cause blood sugar levels to spike, which is problematic. In this article, we explore whether bitter melon is healthful for people looking to manage diabetes. As part of this, we analyze the impact bitter melon may have on blood sugar. Contents of this article: Treating diabetes In type 1 diabetes, high blood sugar is the result of the body not producing enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes, however, occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and people of any age can develop it. Many people with diabetes manage their condition well and do not experience further health problems. A range of medications and lifestyle changes can help people with diabetes live healthy lives. However, drug therapies may have some side effects. As such, some people look to try natural treatments that are free of side effects. To make an informed decision about these, it helps to understand the science behind these options. One such natural treatment method is better melon. Although further research is needed to draw reliable conclusions, some research suggests bitter melon may normalize blood glucose levels. What is bitter melon? Bitter melon has many different names, depending on where you are in the w Continue reading >>
Immediate Effect Of Bitter Gourd, Ash Gourd, Knol-khol Juices On Blood Sugar Levels Of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of bitter gourd, Knol-khol, and ash gourd juices on blood glucose level among Type II diabetes mellitus patients. In 2015, pilot study was conducted randomly enrolling 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus into three groups in SRK college, India. The first group received bitter gourd juice at FBS range between 120 to 300 mg per dl. The second, third group received Knol-khol, ash gourd juice respectively in the same range of fasting blood sugar level. Blood sugar level was evaluated ½ hour interval till 2 h after received respective juices. Data were collected for statistical analysis. The mean blood glucose concentration in bitter gourd group was not statistically significant between time points, (P = .176). However, 90 min after the intake of bitter gourd juice shows statistical significant reduction of blood glucose level when compare with fasting level, (p = .049). After Knol khol juice the mean blood glucose level differed statistically significant between time points, shown in (p = .029). But no statistical changes seen in ash gourd group. As a result bitter gourd juice is immediately reducing the blood glucose level, while Knol khol juice reduces the blood sugar level gradually for longer period of 120 min. This study shows the significance of hypoglycemic effects of bitter gourd and Knol khol juices among the type 2 Diabetic patients. Hence Bitter gourd juice, Knol khol juices may be beneficial in Diabetes patients to reduce the blood glucose level. Graphical abstract Download high-res image (123KB) Download full-size image Continue reading >>
Aloe And Bitter Melon Could Help Treat Diabetes
Studies showed aloe vera extract may lower blood glucose in patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes due to multiple anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiproliferative and antioxidant compounds Compounds in bitter melon, such as vicine, polypeptide-P and charantin, help improve how your body absorbs and metabolizes sugar Bitter melon tea and aloe juice may help alleviate symptoms of diabetes and other metabolic conditions By Dr. Mercola What do aloe and bitter melon have in common? Yes, they're both plants, but both have also been identified as having powerful medicinal effects. New studies show both aloe and bitter melon exert positive effects on diabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). High blood sugar occurs either when you don't produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or your cells don't respond to insulin properly (type 2 diabetes, which represents 90 percent of patients). This is an advanced stage of insulin resistance, and since your insulin is inadequate, sugar can't get into your cells and instead builds up in your blood, causing a variety of problems. This is why diabetics have elevated blood sugar levels. Symptoms include frequent urination, constant thirst and persistent hunger. Diabetes is so prevalent it's been called a global epidemic, and in most people, the condition is not under control. There are multiple therapies, drugs and treatments, but the side effects can be devastating. Nevertheless, annual drug costs for diabetes in the U.S. are around $245 billion, even though type 2 diabetes is typically preventable and even reversible by leading a healthy lifestyle. According to an article in 24/7 Wall St.: "Diabetes directly caused 75,578 deaths in 2013, the sixth highest death toll from a single disease in the United States. Further, diabetes is likely f Continue reading >>
Is Bitter Gourd Good For Diabetics
There is a vegetable in some Asian countries known as Bitter Gourd and it has been known to provide a number of healthy benefits. For those who suffer from diabetes, one of the most interesting effects that is produced by the vegetable is its ability to reduce the blood glucose or sugar levels. This makes it a vital part of any diet for diabetics as it can reduce the very sugars in the blood which are causing damage to the body. Bitter gourd has been used for a number of years for many different health reasons, but its positive effects for those who suffer from diabetes is certainly notable. Today, it is available in teas, juices, extracts and pills for those who want the benefits of this product. The effects of bitter gourd were certainly noticed long before the scientific community became interested, but today it has become one of the more popular types of natural products that can be used to help fight the effects of diabetes. There are a number of benefits that this product produces for the body, in particular when it comes to helping those with diabetes gain control of their blood sugar spikes. Lower Blood Sugar Level: It has been shown through a number of studies that bitter gourd helps reduce the amount of glucose in the blood and affects it in a very positive manner as well. Unlike many prescription drugs, bitter gourd does not just target one area of the body, but affects the metabolism of the glucose in all parts. Cause Insulin to Be Produced: One of the most noted effects of bitter gourd is that it actually causes the pancreas to create insulin which counteracts the effects of the blood sugar levels being raised in the body. This unique effect is very helpful for those who suffer from diabetes as it will help keep the sugars or glucose under control. Lower D Continue reading >>
