Bitter Melon Disadvantages

Bitter melon, also known as Momordica charantia throughout Asia, is related to the squash family and resembles an extremely bumpy and dimpled cucumber. It has numerous benefits as a natural healing element in alternative medicine. However, some disadvantages co-exist with its advantages. Misuse or over-use of this vegetable can result in severe adverse side effects, some non-treatable.

Headaches

• Upon its initial harvest, bitter melon is yellow-green in appearance, though it turns yellowish-orange in color as it ripens. The inside of the melon is is seedy, with seeds of high fibrous content. However, according to InteliHealth, these fibrous seeds and rind are extremely bitter and toxic if consumed, causing headache and nausea.

Hypoglycemia

• Bitter melon has a primary use for effectively lowering high blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus patients, as it contains components with structural similarities to insulin. Although bitter melon aids in the natural lowering of the high blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, too much of it can lead to hypoglycemic coma, among other serious health issues. Bitter melon is also used as an "anti-viral and anti-neoplastic activities," as well as an anti-oxidant, according to Zhion Health. Bitter melon juice is often consumed in its natural fruit form, juice or added with water as a dried powder.

Overall Disadvantages

• According to Zhion Health, there have been reported adverse effects of bitter melon consumption, which included convulsions in children, reduced fertility in mice, and headaches, in addition to coma. Bitter melon may also interfere with normal glucose levels in non-diabetic individuals. Pregnant women should abstain from consumption of bitter melon, as such may cause spontaneous abortion, fetal-deformities and/or future infertility.