The most well-known benefit of bitter melon juice is probably its ability to lower blood sugar levels. Despite its bitter taste, bitter melon has many other health benefits thanks to the content of various important nutrients in it. Bitter melon or Momordica charantia is usually consumed as a dish by being processed by being stir-fried, boiled, or made into raw vegetables. In addition, this green vegetable is also often used as a natural medicine to treat certain conditions. If you want to use bitter melon as a medicine, you can process it into juice. You can get various benefits of bitter melon juice by consuming it regularly.
Various Benefits of Bitter Melon Juice
The benefits of bitter melon juice for health cannot be separated from the nutritional content of the bitter melon itself, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, zinc, potassium, calcium, and iron. Here are some of the benefits of bitter melon juice for health:
- Increase body immunity
Consuming bitter melon juice can increase body immunity. The benefits of bitter melon juice can be obtained thanks to the vitamin C content in it which plays an important role in increasing the production of white blood cells. Thus, the body is able to fight infections well so that it is not easily sick. In addition to vitamin C, bitter melon also contains MAP30 protein (momordica antiviral protein 30). This protein has been proven to be able to increase the body’s immune function, so that the body’s resistance becomes stronger.
- Lowering blood sugar levels
Several studies have shown that bitter melon juice is quite effective in lowering blood sugar levels. The benefits of bitter melon juice can be obtained thanks to the content of polypeptide-p, charantin, and vicine in it. Polypeptide-p in bitter melon has a function similar to the hormone insulin so that it can absorb glucose into the cells and tissues of the body to be used as energy. Likewise with charantin and vicine. Both of these contents have also been proven effective in lowering blood sugar levels in the body. However, because of its ability to lower blood sugar levels, it is better not to consume bitter melon juice at the same time or close to the time of taking antidiabetic drugs. The reason is, blood sugar levels are feared to decrease further.
- Makes skin healthy and radiant
By consuming bitter melon juice, skin health becomes more maintained. The skin will also look more radiant or glowing because this fruit contains antioxidants, such as vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A and vitamin C are important nutrients for the skin because both can fade pigmentation or uneven skin tone. Thus, skin that was previously dull will appear bright and radiant.
- Lose weight
The benefits of bitter melon juice are obtained because bitter melon is low in calories but contains high fiber, so it gives a feeling of fullness for longer. Thus, the desire to overeat will be reduced and weight will be easier to lose. In addition, a study even shows that consuming bitter melon juice every day can erode fat in the stomach.
- Preventing age-related macular degeneration
By consuming bitter melon, the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be reduced. This is because the content of vitamin A, especially lutein and zeaxanthin, in bitter melon can protect the eyes from oxidative damage due to exposure to free radicals. In addition, bitter melon juice also contains vitamins C and E. Both of these vitamins are antioxidants so that they can fight free radicals that cause eye damage, including age-related macular degeneration.
- Maintaining heart health
Although further research is needed, research shows that consuming bitter melon juice or bitter melon extract dissolved in water can reduce bad cholesterol levels in the body. This means that the accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels can be minimized so that the heart does not have a heavy burden in pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, heart health becomes better maintained.
How to Get the Benefits of Bitter Melon Juice
To get the maximum benefits of bitter melon juice, you are advised to use fresh bitter melon. Choose young or green bitter melon because ripe or orange bitter melon tends to have a more bitter taste. To reduce the bitter taste of bitter melon, you are advised to soak the bitter melon first in lemon juice for 30 minutes. After that, drain the bitter melon and process it into healthy bitter melon juice. Consume bitter melon juice in moderation or no more than 200 ml per day to avoid digestive problems or diarrhea.
If you have certain medical conditions, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, obesity, and diabetes, consult a doctor regarding the dosage and safety of consuming bitter melon juice for you. This needs to be considered so that the benefits of bitter melon juice can be obtained optimally and avoid adverse side effects.
