Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

Antidiabetic, Anti-obesity, and Cholesterol Lowering Vegetable

Apr 4, 2009 Alicia Richardson

Bitter gourd is unique among vegetables because of its versatility as foodstuff and herbal remedy.

Momordica charantia or balsam pear is an annual vine that is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa, and South America. Bearing male and female flowers separately on the same plant, they open at sunrise for one day only. Male flowers outnumber females by 25 to 1.

It is called karela (Hindu), ku gua (Mandarin), ampalaya (Filipino), balsamina (Spanish), manzal (Arabic), assorossie (French), goya (Japanese), and other sobriquets. Momordica means "to bite" in Latin (referring to the deeply lobed edges)..

There are two bittter melon cultivars: a pale green Chinese variety that grows to about 20 cm, and a darker green Indian species which develops to about 10 cm. Both have deep ridges and white flesh. Some have tan colored seeds; others have bright red seeds due to a high lycopene content.

Culinary UsesFruits, leaves, stems, and seeds have been used as food, although the fruit is used most often as a vegetable dish, in stews, in pickles, in beer, or tea preparations. Leaves and stems are used as camel fodder.

Health Benefits

M. charantia have multiple health benefits, some known dating back into the 16th century. The most notable pharmacologic contributions are as follows:

Antidiabetic. Bitter melon's hypoglyecemic ingredients has been shown in animal and human studies. Polypeptide -p, a plant insulin, charantin, vicine, glycosides, and karavilosides improve blood sugar levels by increasing glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in the liver, muscles, and fat cells. They also improve insulin release from pancreatic beta cells, and repair or promote new growth of insulin-secreting beta cells.

Anti-obesity. Five compounds in bitter melon increase the activity of adenosine 5 monophosphate kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that facilitates cellular glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation. Hypoglycemic agents in bitter melon promotes efficient oxidation of glucose into fuel, and convertion into starch. (Glycogen or animal starch isstored in the liver and muscle cells). During glucose shortages, fats/fatty acids are used as fuel. Continued demand for energy in the absence or shortage of glucose causes fat cells to release their fat contents to maintain energy balance. This increased fatty acid oxidation eventually leads to weight loss.

Cholesterol - Lowering. Compounds in bitter melon improves lipid profiles. They reduce liver secretion of apolipoprotein B (Apo B) - the primary lipoprotein of low-density "bad" cholesterol ; reduce apolipoprotein C- III expression, the protein found in very-low density cholesterol which turns into LDL/bad cholesterol; and increases the expression of apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1) - the major protein component of high-density "good" cholesterol. It also lowers cellular triglyceride content.

Antiviral. Momordica Anti-human Immunovirus Protein (MAP30) activates natural killer cells, interferes with the ability of HIV viruses to divide and spread. It also increases the body's production of interferon-gamma, a natural substance that fights all types of viruses.

Antibacterial. Bioactive compounds in M.charantia are effective against E.coli, S. aureus, Salmonella, Streptobaccilus and other bacterias.

Anticarcinogenic. Effective against liver, skin, and human leukemia

Nutritional Profile

The fruit and leaves of bitter melon are excellent sources of lutein,zeaxanthin, and beta carotene. They are modest sources of vitamin C and B vitamins, and potassium.

Warning

Pregnant women should not eat bitter melon as it stimulates the uterus and may cause premature birth.

References

Khan BB & Flier JS "Obesity and insulin resistance" J.Clin.Investig.2000;106:473-481

Nerurkar PV et al. "Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Gene Expression and ApoB Secretion are Inhibited by Bitter Melon in HepG2 Cells" J.Nutr. April 1, 2005;135(4):702-706

Chen Q et al. "Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Reduces Adiposity, Lowers Serum Insulin and Normalizes Clucose Tolerance in Rats Fed a High Fat Diet" J. Nutrition April 2003;133:1088-1093

The copyright of the article Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) in Nutrition is owned by Alicia Richardson. Permission to republish Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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