Why are bitter foods like bitter melon often good for your health?

Bitter-tasting fruits and vegetables are often disliked by many, especially children. However, many of them are highly nutritious and beneficial for digestion and overall health.

Bitter melon has a bitter taste and is not for everyone, but it has many health benefits - Illustration image.

How are bitter-tasting foods good for your health?

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, one of the greatest nutritional benefits of bitter foods is that they boost metabolism, helping to cleanse the body, eliminate toxins, and contribute to improved health.

Firstly , bitter foods help improve digestion. The bitterness from vegetables stimulates the production of stomach acid, enhancing the digestion of food and preventing bloating and indigestion. In addition, it helps the body absorb nutrients from food more effectively.

Secondly, the bitterness in foods helps eliminate toxins through improved metabolism and digestion. Toxins in the body are quickly expelled through sweat or urination. When a child's body is detoxified, it becomes healthier.

Thirdly , these foods also help boost the immune system. Many bitter-tasting fruits and vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants, protecting cells from free radical damage, enhancing immunity, and fighting harmful agents.

Fourth , bitter-tasting foods also aid in weight loss by reducing the absorption of sugar and fat. This is very beneficial for obese people who want to lose weight.

Some bitter-tasting fruits and vegetables are good for your health.

Here are some bitter-tasting vegetables and fruits that are rich in nutrients and good for your health:

Bitter gourd : Also known as bitter melon, this fruit contains many triterpenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. In addition, it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Bitter gourd helps balance blood sugar, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, and strengthens the digestive system…

Bitter gourd contains many phytochemicals such as triterpenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids that have been shown to slow the growth of various types of cancer in both in-tube and animal studies.

It is also used in natural medicine to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Like most bitter foods, bitter melon is rich in antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Bitter gourd is packed with naturally derived plant-based chemicals that may help prevent cancer, reduce oxidative stress, and lower blood sugar levels.

Cruciferous vegetables: Many cruciferous vegetables have a bitter taste; these foods contain compounds called glucosinolates, which give them their bitterness and offer numerous health benefits.

Test-tube and animal studies have shown that glucosinolates may slow the growth and spread of cancer cells, but these results have not been consistently replicated in human studies.

In addition to their potential cancer-fighting properties, glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables help your liver enzymes process toxins more effectively, reducing their negative impact on your body.

Citrus peels contain many substances beneficial to health - Illustration image

Citrus peels: While the flesh and juice of citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits are sweet or sour, the outer peel and white pith are quite bitter.

This is due to the presence of flavonoids, which help protect the fruit from insect infestation but also offer numerous health benefits to humans.

In fact, citrus peels contain a higher concentration of flavonoids than any other part of the fruit. Test-tube and animal studies suggest that flavonoids in citrus fruits may help fight cancer by reducing inflammation, improving detoxification, and slowing the growth and spread of cancer cells, but further human studies are needed.

Eggplant: This fruit is easier to eat than bitter melon because it has only a slight bitterness. Eggplant is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are very good for bones, joints, and the digestive system. In addition, it improves blood circulation.

Turmeric: Although it has a bitter taste and a slightly unpleasant smell, turmeric is very good for health, especially for the digestive system. Turmeric contains many antioxidants, most notably curcumin. Curcumin helps fight inflammation, inhibit free radicals, and combat many types of bacteria and viruses to protect the body.

LINH HAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-mon-an-co-vi-dang-nhu-kho-qua-thuong-tot-cho-suc-khoe-20250815155005879.htm