Can I eat bitter melon if I have a sensitive stomach?
Disease description:
Summer is here, and it's especially suitable to eat bitter melon to clear heat and relieve summer heat. However, my stomach is not in good condition. I would like to ask the doctor if people with a weak stomach can eat bitter melon.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Patients with poor stomach health can consume bitter melon in moderation.
Bitter melon is a low-calorie, high-fiber food that contains abundant dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, offering certain benefits to gastrointestinal health. Consuming bitter melon in appropriate amounts can help promote normal digestive function and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort. However, for patients with poor stomach health, whether or not they can consume bitter melon should be determined according to their individual circumstances.
Bitter melon has a relatively cooling nature, and excessive consumption may irritate the gastric mucosa, causing redness and swelling of the gastric mucosa, increased gastric acid secretion, and even symptoms such as acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. Especially for patients with conditions such as spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, indigestion, excessive stomach acid, gastritis, or gastric ulcers, eating bitter melon may irritate the gastric mucosa and worsen gastrointestinal discomfort. Therefore, patients with poor stomach health are advised to consume bitter melon in moderation and avoid excessive intake.
For individuals with poor stomach health, it is recommended to focus on warm-nourishing foods and choose those that are easy to digest and absorb. If consuming bitter melon, it can be cooked with other ingredients to reduce its cooling effect on the stomach. Additionally, excessive consumption should be avoided to prevent adverse effects on the stomach.
