Every year, new studies are published touting the beneficial effects that various herbs, supplements, and foods can have for people with diabetes. One such food that’s been the focus of attention in the last few years is bitter melon.

Bitter melon (also known as bitter gourd, bitter cucumber, bitter apple, balsam pear, karolla, and karela) is a tropical fruit that grows on vines in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. It has been used for hundreds of years as an ingredient in various savory dishes in places as diverse as India, Japan, and the Philippines. Moreover, bitter melon has also been valued for centuries for its medicinal benefits in countries like China, Panama, and Colombia.

A study of the healthful properties of bitter melon was published in March 2008 by scientists from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica.ⁱ In this study, researchers extracted compounds that seem to aid in glucose uptake. The four compounds studied apparently work together to activate AMPK, an enzyme that regulates the metabolism and helps the body absorb glucose effectively. AMPK helps ensure that glucose is moved from the bloodstream to a cell’s surface, where it can be absorbed by the cell for use as fuel.

AMPK is usually activated by exercise, which explains why physical activity helps to even out blood sugar levels. Since bitter melon also activates AMPK, it appears that it can have an effect similar to that of exercise when it comes to increasing glucose uptake. Bitter melon also has no known side effects, unlike some diabetes drugs that are prescribed to activate AMPK. This news could be very important in determining treatment for people with diabetes who are unable to exercise for whatever reason.

Studies of bitter melon are ongoing but seem promising. At this time, it is recommended that bitter melon should not be used by women who are pregnant, lactating, or of childbearing age. Bitter melon may also cause serious complications for children.ⁱⁱ If you are interested in finding out more about the impact bitter melon could have on your diabetes, speak with your health care professional.

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ⁱ Garvan Institute of Medical Research (2008, March 27). A Ton Of Bitter Melon Produces Sweet Results For Diabetes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 8, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2008/03/080327091255.htm

ⁱⁱ http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2005/02/01/4095.html

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Sugar Balance by GSL is a unique blend of all-natural vegetarian ingredients that works to improve the function of insulin in the body. Bitter melon, herbs, and other nutrients help increase insulin sensitivity by stimulating the production of additional insulin in the pancreas. The ingredients may also increase the number and activity of insulin receptors. Sugar Balance comes in a 90 tablet bottle—buy two bottles or more to take advantage of our quantity discount.

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Diabetiks Multi-Vitamin by Nature’s Benefit was developed specifically for people with diabetes. Sugar-free, gluten-free, and made from a priobiotic base, each serving of two tables supplies your daily needs of a wide assortment of crucial vitamins and minerals: calcium, chromium, folic acid, vitamin B12, and many others help to increase energy levels and promote overall good health. Diabetiks offers nutrients from natural ingredients such as bee pollen, soy, beet root, and garlic. This excellent multi-vitamin is available in bottles of 60 tablets. Try some today.

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Chicken Cacciatore over Pasta

Serves: 6

Nutrition Information Per Serving (1/6 recipe):
Calories: 210; Calories from Fat: 40; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 65mg; Sodium: 460mg; Total Carbs: 22g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 5g; Protein: 21g

Food Exchange: 1/2 Cup Pasta, 1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 2 Lean Meats

Ingredients:

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) can chopped tomatoes, drained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/3 cup sliced ripe olives
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups hot cooked noodles (or any favorite pasta) , rinsed and drained

Preparation:

1. Slice chicken breasts into 32 pieces.
2. Spray a large skillet with olive oil flavored cooking spray. Saute chicken, onion, and green pepper for 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in drained tomatoes and tomato sauce.
3. Add SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, Italian seasoning, olives, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Lower heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. For each serving, place 1/2 cup pasta on a plate and spoon 2/3 cup sauce over top.

Visit www.CooksRecipes.com for many more delicious diabetic recipes.
Recipe courtesy of Splenda, Inc. Splenda® is a no-calorie sweetener made from sugar that is suitable for diabetics. For more information regarding this product, please call 1-800-777-5363 or visit their website at www.splenda.com.