According to the recent Indian medical research findings, India is becoming the diabetes capital of the world, as it has crossed over 101 million cases and counting. The high rate of this chronic disease is pushing a majority of the population to seek dietary changes to better manage the disease. Be it type 1 or type 2, people need help with their approach to effectively manage this disease and improve their quality of life. Through regularly monitoring blood sugar levels, taking prescribed medication and going for routine check-ups, people can get their diabetes under control. But certain natural remedies are taking centre stage for their blood sugar-regulating capabilities. Dietary interventions can provide sustainable health benefits that can help control blood sugar spikes.
One such remedy is eating bitter gourd, or karela, as a savoury dish or even drinking karela juice. Medical research suggests that bitter gourd can function as a supportive food in diabetes management, along with prescribed medication.
Can Eating Karela Or Bitter Gourd Help Manage Diabetes?
Yes, but only as part of a whole lifestyle change, and taking the medication as recommended by a diabetes specialist is necessary. As diabetes is a lifestyle disease, individuals need to practise a holistic approach rooted in science to remedy their blood sugar levels throughout the day. Bitter gourd has a rich vitamin and mineral nutritional make-up that can benefit when consumed for a prolonged duration. Here is how the nutritional profile of bitter melon can benefit people with diabetes:
- It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, iron, and potassium, which nourish the body.
- The green flesh of the vegetable contains polypeptide-p, which functions as a plant insulin-like compound.
- A high dose of antioxidants in it helps counteract the oxidative stress that environmental toxins cause and boosts overall metabolic health.
A recent 2025 study that explored the therapeutic potential of bitter gourd details how the plant compound known as polypeptide-p functions as an insulin-like regulator of health benefits.
- Bitter melon's flesh helps improve glucose utilisation and reduce blood sugar levels.
- It also shows promise in managing non-insulin-dependent diabetes, or type 2 diabetes.
Note: Bitter gourd consumption is not a replacement for prescribed diabetes medication as advised by a medical professional.
Read More: Can Chewing Curry Leaves On An Empty Stomach Help In Managing Diabetes?
4 Benefits Of Eating Karela Or Bitter Gourd For Diabetes
1. Blood Sugar Regulation
Consuming of a healthy diet helps individuals with diabetes effectively regulate their blood sugar. As diabetes impairs blood sugar spikes and crashes, the plant compound in bitter gourd can provide an insulin-like boost to the system. Here is how bitter gourd can help with blood sugar regulation:
- Acts like insulin, as it has a compound called polypeptide-p that works like insulin, helping sugar move from the blood into cells.
- Slows sugar absorption, as it helps reduce how quickly sugar enters the blood after meals.
- Improves metabolism, as it helps introduce antioxidants and nutrients to make the body process sugar better.
- Supports long-term control, as regular use or use as recommended by medical professionals based on individual medical history can help lower fasting blood sugar and improve HbA1c (average sugar levels).
2. Weight Management Support
Weight management remains a cornerstone of how diabetes can be managed, and through consistent efforts, people can see visible results. It can help improve how the body breaks down food into energy, known as metabolism. Additionally, it also helps in reducing fat accumulation and helping regulate lipid levels, which affect diabetes management. In Ayurvedic and modern research, bitter gourd has been sought after as a functional food that can act as an effective remedy for diabetes. A timely dietary intervention that helps people with diabetes management is as follows:
- It is low in calories, as bitter gourd is nutrient-dense but calorie-light, making it suitable for weight control.
- Regulates fat metabolism, as it has compounds in it that help reduce lipid accumulation and improve cholesterol balance.
- Improves insulin sensitivity, as it offers better glucose control and reduces fat storage.
- Boosts digestion through its bitter compounds that stimulate digestion and reduce overeating.
3. Improved Lipid Profile
According to the European Journal of Medical Sciences, bitter gourd consumption can effectively lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing HDL (good cholesterol). The wide-ranging health benefits of bitter gourd make it a sought-after natural remedy, but only a small portion needs to be consumed. The body has a limited nutrient absorption rate for each food being consumed. This is why being careful and regulating bitter gourd intake is necessary.
4. Digestive Boost
Several studies detail that the digestive system gets a boost when it consumes bitter gourd regularly. It can also improve the amount of healthy bacteria that determines a healthy gut. The digestive system needs a boost time and time again through such dietary interventions, as multiple day-to-day factors tend to derail its normal function. The rising environmental toxin load and adulteration in food sources tend to disrupt normal gut function and worsen the digestive tracts of people diagnosed with diabetes. Here is how eating bitter gourd can boost digestion:
- Helps in stimulating digestion, as the bitter compounds in bitter gourd increase the secretion of digestive enzymes, improving nutrient absorption.
- Relieves constipation, as it has a high fibre content that promotes regular bowel movements.
- Protects gut lining, as it has a high antioxidant dose that reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in the intestines.
- Supports microbiota balance, as its bioactive compounds help maintain healthy gut bacteria.
- Reduces gastric issues, as traditional medicine documents that bitter gourd is useful for indigestion, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
Read More: Does Methi Water On An Empty Stomach Help With Weight Loss And Diabetes?
How To Consume Karela Or Bitter Gourd
The vegetable can be consumed in a number of ways regularly; the most popular ones are in the form of:
- Karela juice is an easy-to-consume option, as it is considered to be a morning detox option. But people with medical conditions like diabetes should consult a medical specialist and nutritionist to figure out which form of the bitter gourd juice can work for them and how much and when they can consume it safely.
- In cooked dishes as part of a stir-fry or curry, stuffed karela is a delicious way to include this healthy, functional food in your daily diet.
- As a supplement, in the form of capsules or powders, as prescribed by a medical professional only. Not to be consumed over-the-counter, as certain supplements can interfere with diabetes medications.
Precautions To Take And Possible Side Effects Of Bitter Gourd
The bitter gourd needs to be treated with care and prepared by thorough washing and salting and cooked all the way through before being consumed. Other precautions to take and possible side effects include:
- Possible hypoglycaemia if combined with medication; consult a nutritionist for the best approach.
- Pregnancy and lactation concerns, as the body is hormonal, which can interfere with medically advised dietary supplements.
- Digestive discomfort due to bitterness, so excess consumption is not advised.
Karela, or bitter gourd, can aid with diabetes management but should be part of a holistic plan for long-term health.
Disclaimer: The content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
