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Ampalaya vegetable

P

pedro606

Well-Known Member
Messages
140
Hi,

I wonder if anyone knows of this vegetable and what it 'claims' to do.

I have strongsih connections to the Philippines(my wife a Filipina) and I found this on a site I visit now and again. What do you think? I have pasted it below.

Ampalaya is a vegetable grown throughout the Philippines. It is mostly cultivated, although wild forms can be found. It grows wild in the remote areas of Mt. Banahaw. As the English name suggests (bitter melon), the melon has a bitter taste due to the presence of momordicin. There has been much research done on the effectiveness of using Momordica Charantia in the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to increase production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the body's ability to produce insulin. It has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as one of the best herbal medicines for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV. It is a common herb used in Chinese herbology. In the Philippines, the leaves are often used for children's coughs. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility in women, as a parasiticide, as an antipyretic, and as a purgative.
 
I believe bitter melon is used a lot in India to help control diabetes. Google "bitter melon diabetes" and see what you get.
 
Hi pedro.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF AMPALAYA
Ampalaya is packed with lots of vitamins and minerals especially important in providing various health benefits. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C, magnesium, folic acid, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese. This vegetable high in dietary fiber and very low in calories also contains twice the carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana. There is also another insulin-like compound present that serves as insulin replacement in some diabetic patients.

Bitter gourd (boiled, drained, no salt)Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy 20 kcal 80 kJ

Carbohydrates 4.32 g
- Sugars 1.95 g
- Dietary fiber 2.0 g

Fat 0.18 g
- saturated 0.014 g
- monounsaturated 0.033 g
- polyunsaturated 0.078 g

Protein 0.84 g
Water 93.95 g

Vitamin A equiv. 6 µg 1%
Thiamin (Vit. B 1) 0.051 mg 4%
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.053 mg 4%
Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.280 mg 2%
Vitamin B6 0.041 mg 3%
Folate (Vit. B9) 51 µg 13%
Vitamin B 12 0 µg 0%
Vitamin C 3.0 mg 55%
Vitamin E 0.14 mg 1%
Vitamin K 4.8 µg 5%
Calcium 9 mg 1%
Iron 0.38 mg 3%
Magnesium 16 mg 4%
Phosphorus 36 mg 5%
Potassium 319 mg 7%
Sodium 6 mg 0%
Zinc 0.77 mg 8%
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.

Source: USDA NUTRIENT DATABASE

It is supposed to have a very bitter taste - not sure I would like it. Not sure where you would obtain it either ?

Ken. :?
 
Thanks for that. There are many ways that Filipinos cook it to try to disguise its bitterness.

My wife is going to the Philippines soon but I doubt she will be allowed to bring some of it out of the country(legally).

Having said that - I am sure it can be bought in Chinatown in London and also at Filipino supermarkets in Earls Court. Sadly, I now live in Wales. We do have a largish oriental supermarket in Cardiff so I will check it out.

I guess the problem will be is -- how will I measure its effectiveness, if in fact it does. Any ideas?
 
Just found this on the site I visited. A few ways of eating it 'Filipino style'!


I learned to acquire the taste for ampalya. There are many recipes for it to make it more delicious!

There is ampalaya with fried egg; ampalaya with shrimp and egg; ampalaya in pinukbet mixed veggies with bagoong; ampalaya with fried egg and sardines; ampalaya omelet with cheese, egg, onion and tomato; ampalaya con carne with black beans or red beans and ground beef/ground pork; ground beef with ampalaya and sotanghon {noodles}; ampalaya{after blanching} salad with tomato and onion and dressing; ampalaya pancit noodles with liver, shrimp, pork and other veggies of choice; paksiw na isda which is bangus fish/ ampalaya/banana peppers/eggplant/spices and last but not least, my very own "Ampalaya Sirloin," with beef sirloin, tomato, onion, garlic and lots of soy sauce or Maggi Sauce.
 
Let us know what it does for you. Anecdotally from other sites this seems to work, but like most supplements and not a few drugs the effect is fairly minor and not everyone responds
 
I understand that the Chinese actually make a beer from Ampalaya. I think it is called Kugra beer or something like that. Must ask around in Chinatown when next in London!! How good must that beer be!!
 
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