Bitter melon is connected to lowering the body’s blood sugar. The bitter melon has properties that function like insulin, which assists bring glucose into the cells for energy. It can help your cells utilize glucose and transfer it to your liver, fat, and muscles. The melon may also be able to help your body retain nutrients by preventing their metabolism from glucose that ends up in your bloodstream.

Bitter melon isn’t an authorized treatment or medication for prediabetes or diabetes, notwithstanding the evidence that it can manage blood sugar.

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Various studies have investigated bitter melon and diabetes. More recommendations are needed to be carried out before using any form of melon for diabetes management.

Some studies examining bitter melon for diabetes include:

  • A report in the Cochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsTrusted Source decided that more studies are needed to measure the outcomes of bitter melon on type 2 diabetes. It also indicated the need for more study on how it can be used for nutrition treatment.
  • A study in the Journal of EthnopharmacologyTrusted Source examined the effectiveness of bitter melon with a popular diabetes drug. The study decided that bitter melon did decrease fructosamine levels with type 2 diabetes participants. However, it did so less efficiently than a lower dose of the already recognized medication.
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There is no medically recommended way to consume bitter melon as a treatment for diabetes at this time. Bitter melon may be used as a food as part of a healthy and varied diet. Eating bitter melon exceeding your dinner plate may pose hazards.

Nutritional benefits of bitter melon

As a fruit that also has the properties of a vegetable, bitter melon restrains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Many cultures have identified it as having medicinal value. Some of its nutritional advantages include:

  • Minerals: potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus
  • vitamins: C, A, E, B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-9
  • Antioxidants: phenols, flavonoids, 

Forms and doses of bitter melon

There are no approved dosages for bitter melon as a medical therapy at this time. Its considered complementary medicine. Hence, the use of bitter melon isn’t supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat diabetes or any other medical ailment.

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You may obtain bitter melon in its natural vegetable form, as a supplement, and even as a tea. Have it in mind that the FDA doesn’t direct supplements. It would help if you never used bitter melon as a supplement without consulting your doctor.

Use bitter melon with care beyond specific use in your diet. Bitter melon can cause side effects and interfere with other medications.

Some of the risks and complications of bitter melon include:

  • Risky lowering of blood sugar if taken with insulin
  • Diarrhea, vomiting, and other intestinal issues
  • Liver damage
  • Vaginal bleeding, contractions, and abortion
  • Favism (which can cause anemia) in those with G6PD deficiency
  • Combining with other drugs to alter their effectiveness
  • Difficulties in blood sugar control in those who have had recent surgery
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