Bitter Melon – a bitter fruit with a sweet nature
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), also known to me by its Sanskrit name karela, is taking the world by storm for its blood glucose lowering effects. This fruit, which resembles a cucumber gone wrong, is native to Asia, India, South America and Africa. Bitter melon, as the name would certainly suggest, has demonstrated to reduce both fasting glucose levels and postprandial glucose levels along with improving insulin sensitivity in both type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.
Bitter melon can be taken in a supplement, as a juice (30ml shots) and as a meal (even though it looks quite triffid-like!). Many times whilst I was staying at an Ashram in Rajasthan north India I enjoyed karela (Bitter melon) curry so I have provided the following recipe so that you too can also enjoy this beneficial fruit.