Answer:

Bitter melon contains several bioactive compounds, such as charantin, polypeptide-p, and vicine. These compounds act similarly to insulin, increasing the cells' ability to use sugar while inhibiting the conversion of starch to sugar, thus helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Bitter melon is also rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which benefit the immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems. You can consume about one-half of a bitter melon daily, prepared in dishes like soup, stir-fries, boiled preparations, or as dried bitter melon tea. Avoid consuming too much raw bitter melon, as its strong bitterness can irritate the stomach and cause indigestion.

Bitter melon only has a supporting effect and cannot replace diabetes medication. You still need to follow your doctor's prescribed treatment plan, maintain a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Individuals with stomach problems, pregnant women, or breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before regular consumption.

Bitter melon can help stabilize blood sugar. Photo: Trong Nghia

Bitter melon can help stabilize blood sugar. Photo: Trong Nghia

You can incorporate bitter melon into your daily diet in various ways, such as cooking it in soup with lean meat, stir-frying it with eggs, or drinking bitter melon tea. It's best consumed after main meals, not on an empty stomach, to prevent excessive blood sugar drops.

You should monitor your blood sugar regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and have regular check-ups with a general internist and nutritionist for comprehensive health monitoring and to develop a suitable diet. Natural extracts like GDL-5 from South American sugarcane, with its natural policosanol content, can complement your diet, contributing to blood lipid regulation and helping control cardiovascular complications from diabetes.

MSc. Dr. Nguyen Anh Duy Tung

Department of Dietetics and Nutrition

Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7