Can bitter melon juice lower blood sugar levels?
Disease description:
Recently my blood sugar has been elevated, and I would like to lower it. May I ask if bitter melon juice can help reduce blood sugar levels?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Bitter melon juice indeed has a certain effect in lowering blood sugar. This is mainly due to a protein found in bitter melon that functions similarly to insulin. This protein can promote the breakdown of sugar and convert excess sugar into heat energy, thereby improving the body's fat balance.
Specifically, this special protein is contained in bitter melon seeds, and extracts from the fruit or seeds of bitter melon also have similar effects. This mechanism works similarly to insulin by regulating blood sugar levels and maintaining them within the normal range.
However, it should be noted that bitter melon juice cannot be used directly as a medication for lowering blood sugar. If blood sugar levels rise, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital and follow the doctor's treatment advice, such as using medications like metformin hydrochloride tablets, acarbose tablets, or repaglinide tablets to achieve effective blood sugar control.
