13 Benefits of Bitter Melon for Health, Good for Consumption during Pregnancy

Kapanlagi.com - Consuming vegetables is highly recommended. This is because every type of vegetable contains nutrients that are essential for the body. Unfortunately, not everyone likes vegetables. Out of many types of vegetables, bitter melon is one of the vegetables that many people dislike due to its bitter taste. However, behind its bitter taste, there are numerous benefits of bitter melon for health.

As a type of vegetable, bitter melon is actually quite popular. This green vegetable is easily found in the market. In daily life, bitter melon is often processed into various dishes. With the right cooking methods, bitter melon can also be a delicious and healthy dish. The nutritional content in bitter melon is believed to provide several benefits for the body.

So, what are the benefits of bitter melon for health? Compiled from various sources, here are some of the explanations.

1. Maintaining Bone Health

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Bones are one of the body parts that have an important role in supporting the body. To maintain bone health and strength, we need to meet the needs of vitamins and minerals. Bitter melon has vitamin K content which is an important nutrient for bone health. Adequate intake of vitamin K will help the process of spreading calcium throughout the body. As a result, bone health and density are better maintained.

2. Maintaining Immune System

It is a well-known secret that a well-maintained immune system will make us less susceptible to diseases. Who would have thought, one of the benefits of bitter melon is that it can maintain the immune system. This is because bitter melon is a vegetable that is rich in nutrients. Besides vitamin K, bitter melon is rich in vitamin C which functions as an antioxidant, a free radical scavenger that can cause diseases.

3. Potential Cancer Prevention

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The benefits of bitter melon for health cannot be underestimated. The antioxidant properties brought by the vitamin C content in bitter melon are believed to be able to prevent deadly diseases, such as cancer. As reported by merdeka.com, a study revealed that bitter melon has been proven to have anti-cancer properties. The content in bitter melon has the potential to be a cancer-fighting agent, especially for certain types such as breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, and blood cancer.

4. Treating Constipation

Who has never experienced constipation? Almost everyone has experienced this digestive disorder. This digestive disorder can make the sufferer feel uncomfortable. Constipation cannot be underestimated, because if left untreated, it can cause new problems such as hemorrhoids and stomach cancer.

But don't worry, it turns out constipation can be treated with bitter melon alone. This is because bitter melon is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The high fiber content in bitter melon will help improve the digestive system.

5. Preventing Diabetes

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Until now, diabetes is still one of the most feared diseases, as it can cause complications and be very deadly. Diabetes is generally caused by high blood sugar levels. Fortunately, bitter gourd, which is known for its bitter taste, is believed to be a food that can lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, indirectly, one of the benefits of bitter gourd is preventing the occurrence of diabetes. This is further enhanced by the fact that bitter gourd has properties similar to insulin in transporting glucose into cells for energy.

6. Good to Consume During Pregnancy

Interestingly, the benefits of bitter gourd can also be experienced by pregnant women. As we know, pregnant women need to maintain their food intake for themselves and the fetus they are carrying. Bitter gourd is recommended to be consumed during pregnancy because it is high in folate. During the early stages of pregnancy, folate is needed to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects in babies.

7. Maintaining Eye Health

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Maintaining eye health is important. But who would have thought, it turns out that carrots are not the only type of vegetable that is good for eye health. Yes, bitter melon also has the same benefits in terms of maintaining eye health. Bitter melon contains flavonoids such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These contents are believed to be able to slow down macular degeneration and maintain overall eye health.

8. Skin Health

Who doesn't want to have healthy and well-maintained skin? Everyone certainly wants it. Because well-maintained skin not only looks healthy, but also adds to the attractiveness of appearance. Bitter melon is one of the foods that you need to consume to maintain skin health. The vitamin C content in bitter melon is believed to help collagen production. In addition, the contents in bitter melon are also believed to help treat rashes and sunburns. 

9. Relieve Asthma

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Another benefit of bitter melon is that it can relieve asthma. Yes, who would have thought that this bitter vegetable could alleviate acute respiratory disorders such as asthma? This is because the nutrients in bitter melon have antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. These properties have a positive impact on respiratory health, including preventing asthma attacks. 

10. Help Treat Herpes

Herpes is a skin disease that should not be taken lightly. This disease can affect anyone with a weak immune system and an unhealthy lifestyle. Generally, herpes is caused by a virus. But it turns out, bitter melon can be one way to prevent and treat herpes. Bitter melon contains phytochemical compositions that can inhibit the activity of the human immunodeficiency virus.

11. Losing Weight

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Having an ideal body weight is a desire of many people. To achieve it, various efforts are made, from exercising to dieting. However, ideal body weight can be obtained with the right food intake. Bitter melon is mentioned as one type of food believed to help in the weight loss process.

The antioxidant content in bitter melon will help improve the body's metabolism and digestion system. As a result, weight loss will be faster. In addition, bitter melon is also believed to control calories in the body by increasing glucose absorption and glycogen synthesis while reducing fat cells.

12. Nourishing Hair

Another benefit of bitter melon that few people know is that it can be good nutrition for the hair. Bitter melon contains antioxidants, vitamins, with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Therefore, bitter melon is believed to solve various hair problems such as dandruff, hair loss, dry hair, damaged hair, and so on.

13. Accelerating Wound Healing

The content of vitamin K in bitter melon turns out to be not only good for bone health. Vitamin K intake that can help the spread of calcium is also useful in the wound healing process. Fulfilled vitamin K will make the wound healing process faster.

Those are among the 13 benefits of bitter melon for health. How about you, are you interested in trying it?

(kpl/psp)