Bitter Melon or what we know as Ampalaya locally and sometimes called Bitter Gourd is probably one of the most dislike fruit vegetables because of its bitterness. However, bitter melon health benefits is far greater than its bitterness that is why many health these days started to produce herbal food supplement out of it.

Bitter Melon or Bitter GourdThe plant is very common in South-East Asia. It is a vine similar to cucumbers and squash. Though the fruit is usually used in cooking, there are also recipes where the young Ampalaya leaves is used.

So what’s the secret of this fruit vegetable?

  • Bitter is known to be a plant insulin that lowers blood sugar level. It also has a hypoglycemic agent known as charantin which is very helpful in reducing blood sugar levels and in treating Type-2 diabetes.
  • It has very low in calorie content,  just 17 calories per 100g. This is definitely good for people who are in diet. Please note that the fruit is very rich in phytonutrients; dietary fiber, minerals, anti-oxidants and vitamins.
  • Helps in digestion of food.
  • The fruit is rich in folate (contain about 72 µg/100g provides 18% of RDA) which helps reduce incidence of neural tube defects in the newborns. However, it is best if the mothers have the habit of eating this fruit vegetable during the early stage of pregnancy.
  • Good source of niacin (vitamin B-3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, manganese and magnesium.
  • Good source of vitamin-C (100 g of raw pod provides 84 mg or about 140% of RDI), a powerful antioxidant.
  • Has ß-carotene, α-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin, and Vitamin A  which help protect the body against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species that responsible in aging, cancers and other diseases.
  • Some study suggests that there are elements in it that is good for treating HIV.

Nutrition Facts

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Bitter gourd or Bitter melon (Momordica charantia),
fresh, raw, Nutritive value per 100 g
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle

Nutrient Value

Percentage of RDA

Energy 17 Kcal <1%
Carbohydrates 3.70 g 3%
Protein 1.00 g 2%
Total Fat 0.17 g 0.5%
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Dietary Fiber 2.80 g 7%

Vitamins

Folates 72 µg 18%
Niacin 0.400 mg 2.5%
Pantothenic acid 0.212 mg 4%
Pyridoxine 0.043 mg 3%
Riboflavin 0.040 mg 3%
Thiamin 0.040 mg 3.5%
Vitamin A 471 IU 16%
Vitamin C 84 mg 140%

Electrolytes

Sodium 5 mg <1%
Potassium 296 mg 6%

Minerals

Calcium 19 mg 2%
Copper 0.034 mg 4%
Iron 0.43 mg 5%
Magnesium 17 mg 4%
Manganese 0.089 mg 4%
Zinc 0.80 mg 7%

Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß 190 µg
Carotene-α 185 µg
Lutein-zeaxanthin 170 µg

 

Popular Bitter Melon Recipes

–          Scrambled Eggs with Bitter Melon
–          Pinakbet
–          Papaya Pickle with Bitter Melon
–          Ampalaya Tea
–          Filipino Monggo Recipe with Ampalaya Leaves

How To Get Lessen Its Bitterness

Simply soak the sliced Bitter Gourd in salt water for about 10 minutes before using it in your recipe. Some people parboil it.