How to make a delicious sweet bitter gourd (Ampalaya)

In terms of nutritional contents, the fruits and leaves of the ampalaya are reportedly rich in minerals and vitamins, notably iron, calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin B. In the Philippines, it is prepared into various dishes: it be stir-fried with ground beef and oyster sauce, or with eggs and diced tomato. A very popular dish from the Ilocos region is the ‘pinakbet,’ which consists mainly of ampalaya, eggplant, okra, string beans, tomatoes, lima beans, and other various regional vegetables stewed with a little bagoongbased stock.

Philippine traditional medicine attributes many medicinal properties to ampalaya. Books and articles on Philippine medicinal plants list several diseases where ampalaya is apparently beneficial. Reportedly, the extract from the leaves or roots shrinks hemorrhoids. The leaf juice is supposedly a good antitussive (i.e., it stops cough), antipyretic (i.e., for fever), purgative and anthelmintic (i.e., against roundworms).

Ampalaya is also used to treat sterility in women and it can supposedly alleviate liver problems.

Likewise, it is claimed that ampalaya has some antimicrobial activity and can help infected wounds.

“Commonly known as ampalaya in the Philippines, researchers refer to it as a vegetable, fruit, or herb,” wrote Frank Murray in his book, ‘Ampalaya: Nature’s Remedy for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.’ “It is indigenous to Asia, but is cultivated around the world, where it goes by almost 90 different names.”

Yes, ampalaya has been considered as nature’s answer to diabetes. Today, almost ioo studies have demonstrated the blood sugar lowering effect of this bitter fruit. Dr. A. Raman and Dr. C. Lau, who reviewed over 150 pre-clinical and clinical studies on amplaya’s antidiabetes properties and phytochemistry, concluded that, “Oral administration of fruit juice or seed powder (of bitter melon) causes a reduction in fasting blood glucose and improves glucose tolerance.”

In the Philippines, Dr. William Torres, former director of Bureau of Food and Drugs, came up with this conclusion after reviewing several studies done on ampalaya: “Ampalaya fruits, leaves, seeds and other parts, when used as dry powders, extracts, decoctions, fresh or cooled, have clearly demonstrated hypoglycemic activity.”

Researchers have identified the key compounds present in ampalaya, notably polypeptide-P, a plant insulin found only in the ampalaya. Similar to animal insulin, polypeptide-P lowers elevated blood sugar levels. Dr. Torres maintains that ampalaya, when taken regularly, helps to increase glucose tolerance and “potentiate insulin.”
Source: https://www-gaiadiscovery-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.gaiadiscovery.com/food-healthy-living/health-benefits-of-bitter-gourd-or-ampalaya.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&fbclid=IwAR0MwhX0RqICOUAkYIoJWGDMZFUUE2eoJuZ1rbAwNV8QlmC2q9t7G2P_BKE&format=amp&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16159420908113&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gaiadiscovery.com%2Ffood-healthy-living%2Fhealth-benefits-of-bitter-gourd-or-ampalaya.html

How to cook the bitter gourd deliciously?

1. Prepare the ingredients:

bitter gourd (Ampalaya)
eggs
garlic
vegetable oil
tomatoes

1. Slice the ingredients thinly except for the tomatoes
2. Soak the bitter gourd in the water with a little bit of
   salt.
3. Saute the garlic and tomatoes
4. Drain the water off from the bitter gourd.
5. Add the bitter gourd int the saute. Wait for it to soft.
6. Lastly, Add the scrambled eggs.

Then viola! Yum yum! 😋