Bitter melon is known botanically as Mormidica charantia, and is commonly called bitter gourd and balsam pear. Bitter melon grows in tropical regions such as East Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Asia. This bitter-tasting fruit is used as both food and medicine.
Dosage
According to the University of California San Diego MyHealth website, the recommended daily serving of bitter melon is one small melon to be eaten as food, a 3 1/3-oz decoction or 2 oz of juice. 1 tsp. of bitter melon tincture can be taken 2 to 3 times per day. The ability to tolerate a bitter taste is beneficial.
Nutrition Facts
A 100 g serving of raw bitter melon has just 17 calories, 3.7 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of protein, 2.8 g of fiber and is virtually fat-free. The 100 g serving of melon provides less than 1 percent of your daily caloric intake based on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet. Bitter melon is also 94 percent water.
Vitamins and Minerals
Bitter melon is a rich source of many different vitamins and minerals. For vitamin content, you will find vitamins A and C, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, B6, folate and lutein. The minerals contained in bitter melon include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper and zinc.
Vitamin C Content
Bitter melon contains vitamin C in abundance, with 140 percent of your daily value in just a 100 g serving. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, which means you must find it from foods because your body does not manufacture it. Vitamin C helps with the growth and repair of tissues throughout the body and also helps to produce collagen, repair bones and teeth and heal wounds, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Side Effects
If you were to consume bitter melon in a serving several times the recommended dose, you may experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. By ingesting bitter melon seeds in large quantities, you can suffer from headache, fever or even a coma, says the University of California San Diego MyHealth website. Consult with your doctor if you wish to add bitter melon to your diet.
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