Can bitter melon be eaten raw?
Disease description:
Hello doctor, the weather has been particularly hot lately. I heard from a friend that eating bitter melon can help clear heat and reduce internal fire. I am considering eating it raw because I think this way its nutrients can be better preserved. However, my husband is concerned about the safety of eating it raw, worrying about possible pesticide residues or bacteria. Also, my gastrointestinal system isn't very strong, and I'm afraid eating raw bitter melon might cause diarrhea. So I would like to ask, is it actually safe to eat bitter melon raw?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
In general, bitter melon can be eaten raw, but its consumption should be determined based on individual health conditions, with appropriate quantity, to fully benefit from its nutritional value while avoiding potential risks.
Eating bitter melon raw helps preserve nutrients such as vitamin C, minerals, and dietary fiber to the maximum extent. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost immunity; minerals like potassium and magnesium play important roles in maintaining heart function and stabilizing blood pressure; dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility and helps prevent constipation.
Consuming bitter melon raw can help clear heat, reduce internal heat symptoms, improve vision, and aid detoxification. It also stimulates gastric juice secretion, enhances appetite, and has the effect of strengthening the spleen and improving digestion.
However, there are some risks associated with eating raw bitter melon. If not thoroughly washed, the surface of bitter melon may retain pesticide residues, bacteria, or parasite eggs, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort after consumption. Additionally, bitter melon is cold in nature and may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and worsen symptoms in individuals with weak or cold spleen and stomach conditions.
Although bitter melon is nutritionally rich, individuals with cold deficiency in the spleen and stomach should avoid consuming it raw, as its cold nature may stimulate the intestines and cause adverse reactions. Furthermore, individuals with low blood sugar should also be cautious, as components in bitter melon may cause a continuous decrease in blood glucose levels.
