A bitter pill

Bitter gourd is also a significant part of the Okinawan cuisine. Okinawans are centenarians from the southern part of Japan and have one of the world’s longest life-expectancies.

Belonging to cucurbitaceae family,the roots,stems,leaves and fruits of bitter gourd have been used traditionally in Asian and African folk medicine to treat a plethora of ailments.

For centuries,it has been used for management of diabetes and high blood pressure. It is also known to have anti-malarial,anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. The other ailments it is used for include dysentery,colic,fever,burns,scabies and skin problems.

Several studies report that bitter gourd exerts blood glucose and weight lowering effects.

An animal study done in 2008 in Taiwan reported that it can reduce insulin resistance as effectively as anti-diabetic drugs. Several animal studies have shown that it helps with insulin metabolism and hypoglycemic properties.

Some studies suggest that bitter gourd can suppress visceral fat accumulation. Another recent study suggests that its juice inhibits formation of fat and stimulates breakdown in human fat cells.

Other studies report that bitter gourd appears to have multiple influences on glucose and lipid metabolism that strongly counteracts effects of a high fat diet.

A recent study indicated that bitter gourd maintained normal glucose levels in all experimental groups,reduced triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels (LDL,bad cholesterol),increased high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL,good cholesterol) and also improved antioxidant status.

This multi-purpose vegetable has also been found to aid in healing of gastric ulcers and preventing development of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers in animal studies.

In traditional folk medicine in West Africa,bitter gourd has been use to treat to treat gastrointestinal diseases. It is believed to stimulate digestion and thus help treat dyspepsia and constipation. Bitter gourd may also possess anti-inflammatory properties.

The anti-tumor activity of bitter gourd has recently begun to emerge. Dietary compounds offer great potential in the fight against cancer by regulating cell processes. Several groups of investigators have reported that treatment with bitter gourd arrests cancer cell proliferation without affecting normal cell growth.

Studies show that bitter gourd extract modulates pathways for inhibition of cell growth for breast cancer. Therefore,with no-low side effects,bitter gourd could be a potential cost effective,cancer-preventive food.

Large well-designed human studies are,however,needed before specific dietary recommendations can be made. But meanwhile,the next time it is offered to you,make sure you don’t give it a miss.