Bitter Melon Nutritional Information

According to Dr. Maoshing Ni, in his book "Second Spring," bitter melon is used in traditional medicine and is prescribed for a variety of conditions. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and has antioxidant properties.

• Bitter Melon

Uses

• Bitter melon is a traditional remedy for diabetes, various infections and to aid in weight loss. It promotes natural weight loss with its mildly laxative properties which flush the system of toxins.

Nutritional Benefits

• According to Dr. Ni, bitter melon contains vitamins A, B1, B3 and C as well as antioxidants like lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. It also contains twice the potassium of a banana and twice the calcium of spinach.

Active Constituents

• PeaceHealth reports three different groups of constituents in bitter melon. Studies have shown all to have blood sugar-lowering properties offering potential benefits in diabetes mellitus.

Dosages

• PeaceHealth recommends 2 ounces of fresh juice per day or one teaspoon of a tincture two to three times per day. As a food, Dr. Ni recommends discarding the seeds inside and stuffing the melon as you would a zucchini.

Side Effects

• Excessive amounts of the juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. PeaceHealth reports that eating excessive amounts of the seeds has been associated with fever, headache and coma.