Who does not know bitter melon? The bitter taste that is characteristic of this vegetable has its own charm for the audience. Often used as a food menu, bitter melon contains nutrients that are good for the body. Apart from its bitter taste, bitter melon also has a myriad of promising health benefits.

Bitter melons are enriched with high fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which is excellent for the body. Since long ago, bitter melons have been used as a traditional medicine to help overcome various health problems, one of which is diabetes. Yes, bitter melon is known for its ability to help stabilise blood sugar for diabetics. This cannot be separated from the content of charantin, vicine, and peptides that act as anti-diabetic substances.

Not only has anti-diabetic properties, but bitter melon also has anti-cancer properties. It is known that bitter melon can fight the growth of cancer cells in the body. This is reinforced by the results of a recent study published in The Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling recently. Researchers found that bitter melons can stop the growth of cancer cells.

In their study, the researchers found that bitter melon extract can interact with molecules that allow glucose and fat to travel in the body. In some cases, this interaction can benefit cancer cells because glucose and fat can be their food source. By interfering with these interactions, the bitter melon extract is known to stop the growth of cancer cells. It can even cause the death of some cancer cells.

In previous studies, the same researchers also analysed bitter melon extract to determine its ability to fight cancer cells, including breast, prostate, and head and neck. The results show that bitter melon extract can stop cell replication to prevent the spread of cancer cells.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from: Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Ray, R.N., Sur, S., Nakanishi, H., et al (2019). Inhibition of the key metabolic pathways, glycolysis, and lipogenesis, of oral cancer by bitter melon extract. Cell Communication and Signaling, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-019-0447-y.
• Medical News today - How might bitter melon help treat cancer? (2020). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327463.php#1, 20 January 2020.