Bitter gourd commonly called bitter melon, African cucumber or balsam pear, Momordica charantia belongs to the plant family Cucurbitaceae. In Nigeria, bitter melon is called ndakdi in Dera; dagdaggi in Fula-Fulfulde; daddagu in Hausa; iliahia in Igala; akban ndene in Igbo (Ibuzo in Delta State); dagdagoo in Kanuri; akara aj, ejinrin nla, ejinrin weeri, ejirin-weewe or igbole aja in Yoruba.
THERE ARE AMAZING BENEFITS OF BITTER GOURD
- Helps in maintaining blood sugar levels
- Lower cholesterol level
- Liver tonic
- Immune system booster
- Aids weight loss
- Used for the management of diabetes and
- Anti-cancer properties
- Supports liver health
- Treat hemorrhoids
- Prevents skin problem
- Hair health
- Anti-ageing
- Rich in antioxidants
- Reduces inflammation
- Lower the chances of microbial infections
SIDE EFFECTS OF BITTER GOURD
- Hypoglycemia: The presence of mormordin, charatin, and vicine present in bitter melon extract can lead to critical conditions like hypoglycemia. Because of this, it’s always crucial to consult a nutritionist or dietitian before eating bitter gourd or the extract that can lower blood sugar level.
- Interactions with medications: Bitter gourd can interact adversely with other medications such as insulin or oral hypoglycemics. Bitter melon is capable of enhancing the effects of these drugs, leading to low blood sugar levels. It can also interact with antihistamines and acetaminophen.
- Another side effect of bitter gourd is digestive problems, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and discomfort. Bitter gourd helps regulate insulin and glucose levels in your bloodstream, but it can also mess with the digestive system. High intake volume can lead to dehydration, which can trigger these concerns.