Is Bitter Gourd Good for Diabetes?

By now everyone knows the importance of diet in controlling blood sugar levels (BSL) and staying off medicines for diabetics. Many freely available fresh vegetables and herbs are proving to be potent natural remedies; one of the most advocated all across the Indian sub-continent is karela, as the bitter gourd is known in Hindi. Other names that it goes by, include Bitter Apple, Wild Cucumber, Bitter Cucumber, Balsam apple, and Kugua.

Bitter gourd, which goes by many names, is found in many parts of South America, Asia, Africa, and India. Dark green in colour, this vegetable looks very much like cucumber but has an intensely bitter taste. It is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals

Health Benefits of Karela

Its flesh and seeds are traditionally used to treat a number of health problems, including

Diabetes (1)

Asthma (2)

Digestive problems

Skin problems

How to Consume Bitter Melon?

Karela is routinely eaten as a cooked vegetable in all parts of the Indian sub-continent. There are several recipes that used a variety of techniques, such as blanching, soaking in brine, etc. to so its bitterness can be reduced to make it more palatable, However, when it comes to anti-diabetic treatment, it is this very bitterness that is highly prized.

How to make bitter gourd juice for diabetic patients?

There are two step by step methods of preparation of bitter gourd juice

Method – 1

Step 1

Clean, chop and blend the bitter gourd.

Step 2

Strain the juice to extract the concentrate.

Step 3

This can be kept refrigerated to increase its shelf life, but do not leave unconsumed for long.

Method – 2