Many medical studies conducted in recent years have focused on finding natural remedies for various diseases rather than chemical drugs that often do more harm than good. Such a groundbreaking study was recently conducted at the University of Colorado and its results are astounding: a special plant called the bitter melon inhibits cancerous processes in the body and at the same time controls diabetic’s sugar levels. These special qualities of the bitter melon can save the lives of millions of people who have cancer or diabetes - or at least improve their quality of life.
Current treatments for cancer and tumor development are often aggressive, so many patients hesitate to start them. Diabetes eradication is also difficult, and patients are forced to inject themselves on a daily basis and manage their lives around injections and glucose tests. The news of the new study on the plant is that it is possible to change the existing situation, to minimize the need for cancer inhibitors and to monitor diabetics daily. In the article below, you’ll find out what bitter melon is and how it works its magic.
Bitter melon is a kind of climbing plant of the gourd family, and despite its name, it is more like a zucchini than a melon. The origin of this plant is in Asia, the Caribbean and Africa and they’ve been used in these areas for thousands of years as a folk remedy and a cooking ingredient. It has a bitter taste and is therefore used mainly for seasoning soups, meat and other dishes, and not as a central ingredient in meals. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, the bitter melon must be consumed before it ripens or is near its ripening period in order to enjoy all its benefits.
Bitter melon is now known to contain many components, such as Vitamin A, which maintains eye and skin health, and vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and prevents inflammation, as well as potassium essential for the transmission of nerve information throughout the body and processes of cellular metabolism. It is also rich in antioxidants such as lutein and beta-carotene, which preserve the integrity of the cells and thus prevent disease and inflammation. This combination of vitamins and antioxidants creates a strong compound that helps fight various cancers and even diabetes.
The study on the plant was conducted at the University of Colorado in two ways: in test tubes and on animals. The aim of the experiments was to examine the effect of this unique plant on pancreatic cancer, and the results of both types of research showed that the plant inhibits increased production of cancer cells, meaning it stops the formation of tumors. Moreover, eating the plant even caused the "suicide" of cancer cells!
The researchers believe the reason for this is that the bitter melon stopped the supply of glucose to the cancer cells, and without this vital component they could not continue to thrive and multiply. This important discovery can save the lives of countless people around the world because it is often impossible to detect the existence of pancreatic cancer until an advanced stage, which may be too late.
If people consume the melon on a daily basis, they will actually be consuming a natural anti-cancer drug. The researchers found that the plant's consumption also helps in the treatment of other cancers, such as prostate cancer and breast cancer, one of the most difficult types of the disease. Future studies will examine the effects of the bitter melon on other cancers as well.
The news about its impact on cancer is amazing in itself, but the researchers found another advantage of bitter melon, which is that the plant helps regulate glucose levels in the body, meaning it can also help diabetics. Another study conducted in 2008 found that diabetes patients who consumed bitter melon improved regulation of blood sugar levels and also developed greater sensitivity to insulin.
In a more recent study conducted in 2011, subjects with diabetes received 2,000 milliliters of bitter melon extract daily and the results reinforced those of the first study: the blood sugar levels in the patients were lower after using the bitter melon extract than its levels prior to use.
This unique plant has medical properties that astounded the researchers, but this good news should be taken with great care. According to officials at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, it is important to know a few things before adding bitter melon to your daily diet:
1. Pregnant women should not consume bitter melon - the plant may cause bleeding, uterine contractions and even miscarriage.
2. Do not consume it together with anti-diabetic / insulin medications - A combination of bitter melon, which lowers blood glucose levels, along with drugs with the same effect, may cause a sharp drop in blood sugar levels and feelings of weakness and even fainting.
3. Side effects - Some people who consumed the plant reported physical symptoms such as ulcers, allergic reactions, and palpitations.
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