Evidence supporting the use of: Bitter Melon
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is traditionally used in many Asian and African countries for its purported anti-diabetic and metabolic health effects. Recent scientific studies have investigated its potential role in the management of metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and central obesity. Preclinical studies in animal models have shown that bitter melon extracts can improve glucose tolerance, reduce blood glucose levels, and favorably modulate lipid profiles. These effects are thought to be due to compounds such as charantin, polypeptide-p, and vicine, which may influence insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. Some small-scale human trials have reported modest reductions in fasting blood glucose and improvements in certain lipid parameters in people with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes who consumed bitter melon preparations. However, results have been inconsistent, and larger randomized controlled trials are lacking. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while there is some promise, the current evidence is limited by methodological flaws, small sample sizes, and heterogeneity in study design and bitter melon formulations. In summary, bitter melon is used both traditionally and has some preliminary scientific backing for supporting aspects of metabolic syndrome, particularly blood glucose regulation. However, the overall strength of the evidence is low (rated 2/5), and more rigorous clinical research is needed to confirm efficacy and establish appropriate dosing.

More about Bitter Melon
More about Metabolic Syndrome

Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome

7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
acai berry
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anchovies
anthocyanins
asparagus
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
berberine
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium longum
bitter melon
black garlic
blueberry
brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
campesterol
camu camu
canola oil
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
ginger
glucomannan
guar gum
hydroxycitric acid
inulin
krill oil
l-carnitine
lactobacillus helveticus
licorice root
mackerel
maitake mushroom
maqui berry
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
naringin
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
quinoa
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
sardines
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
Urolithin A
vanadium
vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
whey protein
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
algae
kidney beans
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
1-deoxynojirimycin
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
12-methylcarnosic acid
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
Alpha Glucans
Ankaflavin
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blakeslea trispora
Bean
Betanin
Brazil nut
Charantin
California chia
Cardarine
Cyanobacteria
Capsinoids
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Capsiate
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Calanus finmarchicus
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
corosolic acid
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
Dihydrocapsiate
Dragon Fruit
Dihydrolipoic Acid
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Ergothioneine
Ecklonia
peanut
Pistachio

Products containing Bitter Melon

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.