Bitter melon or gourd is a plant from the Cucurbitaceae family, a plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, Africa and Asia. It is cultivated as food and medicine. The plant grows as a vine with long, dissected leaves and yellow flowers. The fruit looks like a warty gourd, elongated and cucumber-like. The young fruit is green, and turns orange-yellow when ripe. The ripe fruit bursts, splits into three parts and releases numerous red seeds. All parts of the plant are bitter and edible – leaves, fruit and seeds. Unripe fruits are a very good source of vitamin C, potassium and phosphorus. In culinary arts, melon can be prepared with potatoes, boiled, baked and fried. Dried leaves are used for tea.
Bitter melon contains a glycoprotein lectin, which is similar in activity to insulin and lowers blood glucose levels, and acts as an immunomodulator, i.e. the plant extract enhances immune cell functions in people suffering from cancer and HIV infection (it leads to the death of cancer cells and prevents their multiplication). The leaves are used to make a tea that is useful in the prevention and treatment of malaria, and stimulates digestion and has antibacterial properties.
Nutritional value for 100 g of fruit:
Calories 19 kcal
Carbohydrates 4.3 g
Dietary fiber 2 g
Fat 0.18 g
Proteins 0.84 g
Folate 51 g
Vitamin K 4.8 g
Vitamin B1 0.051 mg
Vitamin B2 0.053 mg
Vitamin B3 0.28 mg
Vitamin C 33 mg
Potassium 319 mg
Calcium 9 mg
Magnesium 16 mg
Phosphorus 36 mg
Sodium 6 mg
Remark:
Consumption is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, due to substances from the plant that affect uterine contractions and are transmitted through milk.
