Properties of Ampalaya Tea

Ampalaya tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves, or fruit, of the plant Momordica charantia, commonly called bitter gourd or bitter melon. Ampalaya is an excellent source of lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, vitamin C and B vitamins, and potassium, a mineral. Fruits, leaves, stems and seeds of ampalaya have been used as food and alternative medicine in the treatment of various disorders. This article focuses on the medicinal properties of this vegetable.

Anti-diabetic

• Bitter melon's hypoglycemic ingredients have been documented in animal and human studies. A commentary published in a 2006 issue of "Nutrition Reviews" stated that bitter melon has potential in the treatment of diabetes and prediabetes. Polypeptide-p, a plant insulin, charantin, vicine, glycosides and karavilosides improve blood glucose levels by increasing glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in the liver, muscles and fat cells, while reducing glucose synthesis by the liver.

Anti-obesity

• A study published in a 2008 issue of the "British Journal of Nutrition" reported that bitter melon suppresses visceral fat cell accumulation and proliferation, by down-regulating the expression of fat-manufacturing genes. Visceral fat pertains to fat surrounding the organs lying within the chest and abdominal cavity. Large amounts of visceral fat are associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases which are risks factors for heart attacks and strokes.

Cholesterol and Triglyceride-lowering

• Compounds in ampalaya improves lipid profiles. A study published in a 2005 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" found that bitter melon juice reduces gene expression and secretion of new triglycerides, indicating that bitter melon juice is a strong inhibitor of apo-B and triglyceride secretion. Apo-B is the major low-density lipoprotein in LDL or bad cholesterol; triglyceride is the storage form of fat in the human body.

Anti-viral

• According to a study published in a 1990 issue of "Cellular Immunity," bitter melon protects the immune system by activating lymphocytes and natural killer cells in experimental mice.

Anti-bacterial

• Fruit and leaf extracts of bitter melon or ampalaya were found to be effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Klesiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhimurium and Cryptococcus neoformans, according to a study published in a 2009 issue of "African Health Sciences."

Anticarcinogenic

• A bitter melon extract and kuguacin-J was found effective in arresting human prostate cancer cells, reports a study published in a 2011 issue of "Cancer Letters." In a separate study published in a 2010 issue of "Cancer Research," it was found that bitter melon extract decreases cell growth and proliferation by inhibiting the expression of cancer cell genes survivin and claspin, as well as cylin B1 and cylin D1. In addition, bitter melon extract induced apoptosis or cancer cell death.

Tips and Precautions

• Speak to your doctor before using ampalaya tea or bitter melon products if you are a diabetic or are taking cholesterol-lowering medication. Do not use ampalaya tea if you are pregnant; it stimulates the uterus and may induce premature labor. Do not drink ampalaya tea if you are sensitive to vicine since it can trigger favism, a form of hemolytic anemia.