When you think of melon, you probably think of long summer days spent on the beach or porch chewing on sweet, crisp fruit.
However, if you’re from the Caribbean or Asia, bitter melon may also come to mind.
The strange fruit may look like a lumpy cucumber or a sad gourd, but it’s one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
Traditional Uses
Bitter melon is typically used for to treat various stomach and intestinal disorders.
These include:
– Upset stomach
– Ulcers
– Colitis
– Constipation
– Intestinal worms
It can also be used for kidney stones, fever, psoriasis, liver disease, menstrual pain and as a supportive treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Diabetic Care
Studies show that compounds found in bitter melon mimic insulin. They lower blood sugar by promoting the transportation of glucose into cells and the storage of energy in the liver and muscles. The fruit improves insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and insulin signaling and can even help support weight loss.
Use In Cancer Patients
Surprisingly, the same actions that make the melon suitable for diabetics help kill cancer cells.