| Many vegetables are known for their numerous health | | | | intestines of mammals and human beings. This bacteria |
| benefits. Diets composed of more vegetables can | | | | is responsible for urinary tract infection and |
| reduce the risk of chronic disease and other health | | | | gastrointestinal ailments. It is also used as potent |
| ailments. Vegetables can supply the body of | | | | antihelmintic (drugs that destroy parasitic worms) |
| necessary nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber | | | | substance that eliminate worms from the intestinal |
| that are vital for development and maintenance of the | | | | tract. For external use, bitter melon has been |
| body and internal organs. In addition, many | | | | acknowledged to heal skin eruptions, chapped skin, |
| vegetables contain disease-fighting phytochemicals | | | | burns, hemorrhoids, and psoriasis. |
| that can help reduce the risk of different kinds | | | | Because of the health benefits of bitter melon, it is |
| cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, and | | | | now widely used as a dietary supplement. Over the |
| diabetes. | | | | years, health researchers have verified the efficacy of |
| One such health-promoting vegetable is called bitter | | | | the bitter melon as an alternative medicinal product. |
| melon or bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia). Aside | | | | Bitter melon capsules are now available in the market |
| from being a food source, bitter gourd is also used as | | | | as alternative treatment for diabetes, viruses, colds, |
| a source of alternative medicine. This vegetable grows | | | | and other ailments. However, these products should |
| in tropical areas like East Africa, Asia, South Africa, | | | | also be used with certain precautions because it may |
| and the Caribean. It is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, | | | | also cause side effects and may interact with certain |
| beta carotene, and phosphorus. Improving the body's | | | | over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, and other |
| insulin levels is one of the primary health benefits of | | | | herbal medicines. |
| bitter melon. Many researches shows that this | | | | Pregnant women are not encouraged to use this |
| vegetable increases the production of beta cells in the | | | | product because it may cause uterine contractions. |
| pancreas which leads to improvement in the insulin | | | | Bitter melon should not be used by hypoglycemic (low |
| production of the body. Aside from insulin production, | | | | blood sugar) individuals because it may worsen or |
| bitter melon is also used to treat sores, eczema, | | | | cause lower blood sugar levels. In addition, diabetics |
| leprosy, skin infections, and even leukemia. | | | | who use prescription hypoglycemic drugs or insulin |
| Bitter melon is said to be a remedy for infections | | | | should avoid bitter melon or bitter melon supplements, |
| associated with retroviruses, including the ones that | | | | unless prescribed by a physician. People with cirrhosis |
| cause Human Immunodeficiency Disease (HIV). It is | | | | of the liver and medical history of hepatitis or HIV |
| said that this vegetable can also destroy strains of | | | | should also refrain from using this herb. |
| herpes virus. Bitter melon has been used as a folk | | | | While many health experts are already praising bitter |
| remedy to treat infections and other diseases. In | | | | melon for its health benefits, the said supplement |
| addition to these properties, leaf extracts of bitter | | | | should not be regarded as a stand-alone medicine and |
| melon have indicated antibacterial activities against | | | | should be taken only with the approval of doctors and |
| e.coli, a specie of bacteria that can live in the lower | | | | other health experts. |