In previous posts, we went through the health benefits of bitter melon to diabetes. Used as traditional medicine, bitter melon supports lowering blood sugar levels, cancer prevention, and other diseases. Yet, it should be noted that bitter melon has side effects. Understanding the side effects of bitter melon will enable consumers to make informed decisions and use this potent vegetable safely within their diet and health regimes.

What are the side effects of bitter melon?

1. Faint due to sudden low blood sugar level

As we have known, bitter melon can help lower blood sugar levels to support diabetes treatment. If you have a stable blood glucose level, you should avoid consuming bitter melon too much. In case you overconsume this vegetable, you might confront with side effects of bitter melon, including a sudden low blood glucose level, headache, and dizziness. It may also lead to sweat profusely or frighten. The worst situation may happen to shock, then get fainted. To avoid any unexpected symptom, you should not take bitter melon excessively on an empty stomach or when you are tired.

2. Cause a miscarriage and reduce chances of getting pregnant

Other side effects of bitter melon are to cause a miscarriage and reduce chances of getting pregnant. Some studies have shown that bitter melon can stimulate smooth muscle contraction, then increase contraction of the uterine muscle, which runs the risk of leading to miscarriage. As a consequence, pregnant women, new mothers, and nursing mothers should avoid or limit bitter melons.

Additionally, some studies have shown that overconsumption of bitter melon may hurt testicles, which impacts reproductive ability. Those who are planning to have babies should skip bitter melons or seek professional consulting before consuming this vegetable.

3. Impact on health and growth of children

The red arils covering the seeds of bitter melon can be toxic to humans. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and possibly death. Therefore, you should not feed bitter melon to certain kids, who are at a higher risk of toxic reactions. Also, you should remove all the seeds of bitter melon when you prepare food from this vegetable.

4. Negative effects to patients with kidney and liver failure

Let’s go through what side effects bitter melon can cause to the kidney and liver. As mentioned above, the seeds of bitter melon can be toxic to cells of the liver. This vegetable is not digested easily, so those who have problems in the kidney and liver must avoid consuming bitter melon. The people facing G6PD deficiency (enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), which helps red blood cells, should also stay away from bitter melon.

5. Cause hemolytic anemia

The seeds of bitter melon can cause hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream faster than they are made. Bittermelon’s seeds contain an element named vicine, which is capable of producing oxidation-reduction (redox) enzymes on the cell membranes. If this enzyme is overproducing in blood cell membranes, red blood cells and cell membranes might be damaged. This can lead to hemolytic anemia. So all of the patients with G6PD deficiency have to avoid consuming bitter melon.

Bottom line

Apart from its benefits in nutrition, bitter melon can sometimes result in bad effects like nausea and lowering of the blood sugar and sometimes works against certain medications. The above side effects of bitter melon should be seriously considered by those having one of the mentioned health problems to avoid any sidesteps. Also, always remember that “too much of anything is bad.” Some groups of people who should avoid or be wary of bitter melon, including:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Children
• People with hypoglycemia
• Those allergic to certain substances
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• Surgery: Bitter melon can disrupt blood sugar control during surgery and even after recovery. Avoid bitter melon for at least 2 weeks prior to any scheduled surgery.

People suffering from certain specific medical situations or underlying health conditions should consult a doctor before adding this vegetable to their diets.

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