Health tips: Is bitter gourd juice good for managing diabetes?
First Published Sep 2, 2024, 9:31 AM IST
Bitter gourd juice, though bitter in taste, is a boon for our health. Especially for diabetic patients, drinking this not only controls blood sugar but also offers numerous other benefits.
Diabetes, characterized by significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels, can severely impact overall health. Increased sugar levels can lead to various health complications, including obesity, kidney failure, and life-threatening heart diseases.
Typically, diabetic patients rely on medications and insulin injections to regulate their blood sugar levels. However, alongside these measures, maintaining a strict diet is crucial for effective sugar control.
Numerous foods are rich in fibre and have a low glycemic index. Consuming such foods helps diabetic patients manage their blood sugar levels and improve their overall health. Bitter gourd is one such beneficial food.
While bitter gourd juice might be unpleasant to drink, it serves as a tonic for diabetes control. Let's read about the specific benefits of bitter gourd juice for diabetic patients.
Bitter gourd possesses anti-diabetic properties. Consuming the juice helps regulate blood sugar levels. It contains an insulin-like compound called polypeptide-p or p-insulin, which helps in lowering blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Experts suggest that consuming bitter gourd juice can improve insulin sensitivity. It boosts metabolism and helps regulate glucose absorption.
Bitter gourd is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene, and other polyphenols, which effectively reduce oxidative stress. Diabetic patients are often at risk of oxidative stress, which can lead to various health problems.
It can also damage various organs in the body. By reducing oxidative stress, bitter gourd juice helps mitigate issues like nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy in diabetic patients.
Bitter gourd juice is low in calories and high in dietary fiber, making it beneficial for weight management. This is particularly advantageous for diabetic patients, as maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for improving insulin sensitivity.