Bitter gourd is a healthy food, but not everyone can eat it. Bitter gourd is not only a dish with an appealing taste but also very good for health. However, not everyone can eat bitter gourd. Below are the benefits of bitter gourd as well as those who should avoid consuming it.

Benefits of bitter gourd for health

Bitter gourd (bitter melon) is a bitter-tasting fruit. In its composition, this type of food contains many nutrients beneficial to health, such as various vitamins (C, B1, B12,…), calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, fiber, protein, fat, beta-carotene, and more.

The health benefits for those who consume this type of food include:

Supporting the treatment of type 2 diabetes

This food helps reduce blood sugar levels by increasing glucose metabolism. It has a supportive role in treating type 2 diabetes.

However, if you are using any medication affecting blood sugar levels, you should be cautious about using bitter gourd to avoid excessively lowering blood sugar.

Lowering cholesterol levels in the blood

Consuming bitter gourd also helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Thus, it supports enhancing heart health, significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

Boosting the immune system

Consuming bitter gourd helps strengthen the immune system to prevent diseases and infections. It helps prevent colds, minimizes the risk of food allergies, and, along with that, reduces the likelihood of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux.

Alleviating constipation

Bitter gourd contains fiber that stimulates bowel movements. Therefore, consuming this type of food can make it easier for the body to have bowel movements, minimizing the condition of constipation.

Some other benefits

In addition to the mentioned benefits, bitter gourd is also a type of food that is beneficial for people with liver inflammation, cirrhosis; helps enhance the function of the digestive system; reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome; contributes to improving vision; helps clear heat and detoxify the body.

People who should not eat bitter gourd

Bitter gourd is good for health, but not everyone can eat it. Dr. Bui Dac Sang, a general practitioner from the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association, stated that the following 4 groups of people should not eat bitter gourd.

People with low blood pressure

According to the traditional medicine practitioner, bitter gourd contains charantin, Polypeptide-P, and Vicine, which can lower blood sugar, leading to a drop in blood pressure. Therefore, people with a history of low blood pressure should avoid consuming bitter gourd.

People with digestive system issues

Excessive consumption, eating too much bitter gourd, may negatively affect digestion, causing diarrhea and affecting the stomach.

The practitioner advises people with digestive issues to avoid eating too much bitter gourd, and if possible, it’s better to refrain from it.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Bitter gourd can cause uterine contractions, bleeding, and lead to miscarriage. In addition, pregnant women who eat a lot of bitter gourd may stimulate the uterus and lead to premature birth.

Breastfeeding women should also avoid eating bitter gourd because some components may be transmitted through breast milk.

People who have just had surgery

Eating bitter gourd immediately after surgery can interfere with the patient’s blood sugar control process. It is best for patients to stop eating bitter gourd for at least 2 weeks before and after surgery.

Things to note when eating bitter gourd

When eating bitter gourd, you should note the following to avoid affecting your health:

• Consume in moderation, avoiding overuse.
• Do not combine bitter gourd with shrimp or eat it with fried pork ribs or bamboo shoots simultaneously.
• Avoid drinking green tea after eating bitter gourd as it may affect the stomach. Instead, wait a few hours after eating before drinking.

It is essential to refrain from eating bitter gourd if you belong to any of the groups mentioned above.