Can You Make Bitter Melon Juice? Recipe And Benefits

Yes, you can make juice out of bitter melons. You only need fresh bitter melons, a juicer, or a blender to turn those fruits into a healthful drink.

When the name bitter melon (also bitter gourd) crops up, most people often grimace in distaste as those fruits are bitter like anything. Try various approaches to prepare those melons palatable, and you might make a decent attempt, too, to kill its acrid taste, but you can in no way get rid of its rooted bitterness completely.

Whether bitter or not, bitter melon is a fruit that transcends borders, being widely grown and consumed in Asia, East Africa, India, China, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa. Its versatility is evident in Chinese cuisine, where it’s added to stir-fries, pork and douchi soups, dim sums, and herbal tea.

In Indian cuisine, bitter melon, known as karela, is a staple in many dishes due to its unique taste and health benefits. The adaptability of bitter melon extends to its juice, which can be paired with apple, watermelon, and carrot, allowing you to personalize your healthful drink to your taste.

Before discussing juicing bitter melon, let’s learn what it is and why people worldwide eat it. Bitter melon, also called cucurbits, is a tropical vine fruit. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and zucchini affiliated with the gourd genera. Although bitter melon is eaten worldwide, particularly in Asia, Indian cuisine widely uses it.

Bitter melon has a rich history in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. Its seeds and extracts, known for their nutrient-dense properties, have been used for ages to treat various ailments, including diabetes, skin problems, asthma, and stomach disorders. Bitter melon juice may offer similar health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet. However, it’s important to note that more research is needed to understand the potential health perks of bitter melon juice fully.

There are many aliases for bitter melons, such as balsam pear, balsam apple, bitter gourd, bitter squash, and karela (in India). Its scientific name is Momordica charantia.

From managing blood sugar to lowering cholesterol, bitter melon is a nutritional powerhouse that has earned acclaim for its potential to fight cancer. Packed with Vitamin C, folate, and Vitamin A, these melons are also a good source of potassium and even contain some iron and calcium.

Bitter melon juice, when prepared without adding sugar or other sweeteners, is a low-calorie, low-carb beverage that can be a part of a balanced diet. This impressive health profile should inspire you to consider incorporating bitter melon juice into your diet.

Let’s take a look at the bitter melon nutrient profile:

100 grams of raw bitter melon provides:

         (Source: Healthline.com)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that bitter melon is a potent calcium, magnesium, potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and zinc source.

Bitter Melon

Let’s dig into the health perks of bitter melon

• May prevent cancer

According to NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “other than its potential antibacterial and antiviral activities, bitter melon extracts are also effective against cancer and were found to be effective for the treatment of ulcer, malaria, pain and inflammation, psoriasis, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.”

Also, test-tube analysis results show that bitter melon, with its high anti-oxidant content and beta-carotene, may have cancer-fighting properties and could be effective against stomach, colon, lung, nasopharynx, and breast cancer cells.

• Diabetes-friendly

Bitter melon is also associated with lowering the body’s blood sugar level, which benefits diabetic patients. Clinical studies suggest that bitter gourd contains bioactive properties, such as saponin and terpenoids, which nearly replicate insulin. These properties induce more glucose to enter the body cells and generate energy. The body then processes it, supplies it to the liver, muscles, and fat to be stored, and finally releases it into the blood.

• Could lower cholesterol

Regarding lipid levels, scientific research suggests that bitter melon or its extract may be a prospective supplement in treating hypercholesterolemia and its related disorders. High cholesterol levels are linked to type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular, and liver diseases.

Regular intake of bitter melons includes certain compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycosides, and alkaloids, which help lower high cholesterol levels and discard excess cholesterol stored in the liver and, as such, lower the risk of heart diseases.

• May prevent inflammation

Bitter gourd, loaded with a bioactive compound like polyphenols, which act as both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, helps your body’s metabolism to stay away from infections and protect your body cells from oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome.

Bitter gourd can be eaten raw, steamed, stir-fried, or fried or cooked into a curry, a stew, or a spicy chutney. However, because of its sharp, acrid taste, you’ll have to follow some hacks to tone down its bitterness, whichever way you cook it.

Bitter melon juice

• When you shop for bitter melon, select small, lighter green, and firm ones for freshness. The more giant and aged the melons, the more bitter they taste.
• Secondly, slice the gourd lengthwise, scoop out the fruit and seeds, and chop them to your desired size.
• Thirdly, liberally rub salt evenly on each piece, let it rest for 20–30 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse it in tap water. Alternatively, soak it in boiling salt water for a few minutes. These methods help reduce the bitterness significantly.

Finally, transfer the chopped melons to a blender and add water as needed. If you wish to dilate the mixture further, add more water. Next, season it with salt and a little lemon juice to taste. If you prefer, you may use black salt instead.

Preparing bitter melon juice is straightforward. Blend the concoction until it becomes smooth, not thick, and consistent. Now, all you do is strain it into your glass. Voila, your bitter melon juice is ready to be sipped. If you prefer, add a tiny dollop of honey to remove the remaining bitterness. Bitter melon juice gives the best results when taken on an empty stomach in the morning. This simple process should give you the confidence to make bitter melon juice at home.

Alse Read : What Causes Potassium To Be Low? Symptoms And Home Remedies

Caveat:

Tweaking bitter melon or its juice into your diet regimen could be a pace-setter to a healthy diet. However, to reap its optimal health benefits, it would be best to practice moderation in consumption. It’s worth noting that bitter melon can cause some side effects, such as stomach pain and diarrhea, especially if consumed in large amounts. If you experience any adverse reactions, it’s best to discontinue use and consult with your healthcare provider.

Consuming a lot of the potent fruit may lead to side effects, such as digestive disorders, indigestion, gastric, and diarrhea. Hence, extreme caution should be taken before incorporating it into your meal plan, as it may cause gastric ulcers and harm the kidneys in extreme cases. Only take bitter melon supplements after consulting your doctor.

You must also consult your healthcare provider if you are a diabetic patient. If you are on diabetic medications, bitter melon may boost the effect of your prescribed drug and thereby lower your blood sugar to extreme levels, causing hypoglycemia and possible complications.

Also, expectant mothers and breast-feeding mothers are advised not to try bitter melon or its juice.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the above text are solely research-based, not medical advice; the author solicits reader discretion and cross-references or consulting a healthcare practitioner for further validation.