If you aren’t familiar with bitter melon, it’s time to change that.
Also called bitter gourd, it’s known for both its flavor and its impressive nutrient profile.
Recently, there’s been some exciting research suggesting that bitter melon could be helpful for blood sugar management.
Photo: Getty Images / Thu Thai Thanh / EyeEm
What Is Bitter Melon?
There are two main varieties of bitter melon, Chinese and Indian.
Both are long and round, with green skin and have pale, whitish flesh like a cucumber.
What Does Bitter Melon Taste Like?
Unlike most melons, bitter melon has a strong, bitter taste and no sweetness.
In fact, the fruit gets more bitter as it ripens.
What Are Bitter Melon’s Nutrients?
Bitter melon also provides vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin important for immune health, per theNIH.
Then, there’s the 2.5 grams of blood-sugar-stabilizing anddigestion-friendly fiberin a serving of bitter melon.
Does Bitter Melon Help with Blood Sugar Management?
Bitter melon may be particularly good at keeping blood sugar stable.
So, what does that mean?
In a 2023Food Science and Biotechnologystudy, researchers gave participants bitter melon extract for 12 weeks.
Next time you see bitter melon at your market or grocery store, pick some up and get cooking.
