The Amazing Health Benefits Of Ampalaya

Ampalaya or Bitter Melon (also known as bitter gourd) looks like a cucumber but with ugly gourd-like bumps all over it. As the name implies, this vegetable is a melon that is bitter. There are two varieties of this vegetable: One grows to about 20 cm long, is oblong and pale green in color. The other is the smaller variety, less than 10 cm long, oval and has a darker green color.

Both varieties have seeds that are white when unripe and that turn red when they are ripe. The vegetable-fruit turn reddish-orange when ripe and becomes even more bitter. Bitter gourd thrives in hot and humid climates, so are commonly found in Asian countries and South America.

Ampalaya or Bitter Gourd is a popular vegetable in some Asian countries, where the health benefits of the plant are well-known—particularly, its ability to lower blood glucose in diabetics. Bitter gourd has been used to treat diabetes in traditional medicine and is now commercially available as tea (from fruits or leaves), juice, extracts, and pills. Although these products promise health benefits, most of the manufacturers do not offer scientifically proven data on the effectiveness of bitter gourd or their products.

However, in recent years researchers worldwide have started to focus on the anti-diabetic effects of bitter gourd. The goal is to provide safe and clear preparation and dosage recommendations so that consumers will realize the greatest benefit from consuming fresh bitter gourd or bitter gourd products.

Below are the Top 10 Health Benefits of Ampalaya or Bitter Gourd:

1] Disinfects

Ampalaya is used as a disinfectant for cuts and scrapes. It works to disinfect and heal wounds and minor burns. The powerful antibiotic characteristics help treat a variety of bacteria-related illnesses throughout the body.

2] Relieves Cold Symptoms

Ampalaya can be used to treat the common symptoms of colds, such as coughing and fever. It works to curb minor inflammations in the respiratory system that lead to mucus buildup and the onset of chest congestion.

3] Boosts Immunity

Ampalaya works to seek out harmful free radicals in the body and neutralize them before they latch on to healthy cells and cause certain types of disease and cancer. It also works to ward off internal infections that can lead to organ and tissue damage.

4] Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Ampalaya works to balance blood sugar levels in the body. It works to lower the levels in diabetes patients, preventing the onset of shock and other maladies. It also helps to prevent other illnesses that arise from too much sugar in the blood.

5] Lowers Blood Pressure

Ampalaya can work to lower the blood pressure in the body by relaxing the vascular system walls. This allows the blood to flow more swiftly without restriction from narrow passageways. Lowering blood pressure helps prevent problems such as heart attack and stroke.

6] Relieves Headaches

Ampalaya can work to relieve the stress and tension that cause headaches. The muscles around the brain are able to relax, releasing the pressure that is a catalyst for the common headache. Stress, another catalyst, is also diminished with use.

7] Protects Spleen and Liver

Ampalaya can be used to protect the spleen and liver, and negate the harmful effects of alcohol abuse and damaging toxins taken into the body. It works to repair and regenerate tissue through the many nutrients and enzymes it contains. These enzymes work in conjunction with the spleen and liver to help maintain proper functionality.

8] Helps with Eye problem

The high beta-carotene and other properties in bitter gourd makes it one of the finest vegetable-fruit that help alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight.

9] Improves Psoriasis condition

Regular consumption of this bitter juice has also been known to improve psoriasis condition and other fungal infections like ring-worm and athletes feet.

10] Fights Obesity

Bitter gourd can help combat the battle of-the bulge, whether you’ve got a little to drop or a lot. Obesity and weight gain may result in serious health consequences, for example heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. In the June 29, 2010 “BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine” issue investigators report that when analyzed on human fat cells, bitter gourd juice demonstrated the capability to stimulate the dislocation of fat cells and prevent new fat cells from forming. Investigators conclude that bitter gourd should be viewed as an alternative remedy for obesity treatment.