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This herbaceous vine, aka bitter melon leaf, can reach up to 5 metres (16 feet) and has tendrils. It has alternate, simple leaves 4–12 cm (1.6–4.7 in) in diameter and three to seven deeply spaced lobes. In the temperate zone, it is a frost-tender annual; in the tropics, it is a perennial. USDA zones 9 to 11 are ideal for growing it.
According to some reports, the rind (meat) gets a little rougher and more bitter as it ages, but according to other sources, the skin stays the same, and the bitterness gets tastier. The Chinese cultivar is best picked when it is light green, preferably just before or with a hint of yellow. The pith turns delicious and deeply red; it is a common element in various Southeast Asian salads and can be eaten raw.
When the leaves are matured, the fruit turns soft and orange, then separates into segments that curl back to reveal seeds coated in a vivid scarlet pulp. Though everyone eats the fruits, the leaves are also quite beneficial. Read More!
Know 5 Bitter Melon Leaves Benefits
1. Control of Blood Sugar And Prevent Hypoglycemia
According to the New York University Langone Medical Center, herbalists and natural medicine practitioners frequently suggest bitter melon leaves to help regulate blood sugar in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The typical dosage range is 50 to 100 millilitres of fresh juice given in two or three doses over the day. Bitter melon leaves may exacerbate the effects of diabetes medicine and result in hypoglycemia, a dangerously low blood sugar state.
2. Assists Greatly With Early Cancer Prevention
A study published in the September 2012 issue of the journal "Natural Product Communications" suggests that bitter melon tea may have preventive effects against some types of cancer. The water extract of bitter melon leaf killed human kidney and colon cancer cells. An animal study published in the November 2012 issue of the journal "Cancer Letters" found that liver cancer cells in the bitter melon extract also died earlier, giving a positive sign.
3. Improves Your Skin Health
Bitter melon leaves contribute to skin health due to their rich content of vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, a protein essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Additionally, antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenolics protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors. By neutralising these harmful molecules, bitter melon leaves help prevent premature ageing signs like wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
4. Adds Anti-inflammatory Effects On Overall Health
Wild bitter melon leaves have anti-inflammatory qualities that may help prevent some forms of acne, according to a study published in the journal "Food Chemistry" in December 2012. An acne-causing bacteria's development was decreased in the animal study by bitter melon extract. In a research published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" in March 2009, hot water extracts of wild bitter melon lowered the concentrations of several inflammatory chemicals. Significant antioxidant activity was present in the areas where anti-inflammatory benefits were noted.
5. Helps Prevent And Stop Infection
The anti-bacterial qualities of bitter gourd leaves aid in the natural defence against and prevent illnesses. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities that lessen and stop more harm from infections. In addition, eating bitter gourd strengthens the immune system, allowing the body to keep protecting against foreign substances that could cause problems during pregnancy.
Now that one knows what bitter melon leaves do, and one can surely inculcate these unique leaves into one's diet. It tastes similar to neem but has more distinctive health benefits. It goes well with salads and smoothies, too.
