KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 Sep 2024
NEWSLETTER
SHARING KNOWLEDGE & HELPING CUSTOMERS EXCEL
Vol 11/2024| Editor: Kerry Hughes, MSc.
Driving the global
supply chain in
Botanical Ingredients.
KP Phyto is positioned to
take on global supply chain
demands, and is the Indian
market leader catered to a
wide range of ingredients for
food, pharma, nutraceutical,
dietary supplements and
cosmetics.Thank you for your
interest in our newsletter &
allowing us to provide you
with deep dive perspectives
on Indian botanicals.
Newsletter Vol 10/2024
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KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 Sep 2024
As you might have guessed, the Bitter Melon is bitter ! , Yet
this has not stopped it from being used widely in cuisine—it
is consumed raw or cooked, and sometimes soaked to
reduce bitterness, both in the green or yellowing stage. The
young plant shoots are also sometimes consumed.
The traditional consumption of Bitter Melon as part of the
diet is widespread and has a long tradition for use in
bringing health benefits--to balance blood sugar, the liver
and pancreas, and support cleansing the blood and
circulatory system.
A Traditional Bitter
Bitter Melon is one of the quintessential examples of a
dietary bitter, widely consumed to promote digestive health
and metabolic efficiency. In many culinary traditions,
particularly in Asia, Bitter Melon is incorporated into meals
to stimulate digestion, support liver function, and detoxify
the body. The bitter taste is known to activate receptors in
the gut that trigger digestive secretions, bile production,
and enzyme release, which collectively improve the body’s
ability to break down food and absorb nutrients.
In Ayurvedic diets, Bitter Melon is often included in seasonal
detox routines to clear excess heat and Kapha, stimulating
the digestive fire and supporting overall metabolic function.
The fruit can be prepared in various ways: stir-fried, stewed,
or juiced. In some cultures, bitter melon is pickled or stuffed
to create a unique flavor profile that still retains its
bitterness.
In China this bitterness is appreciated in a wide variety of
dishes, as well as in beer in the place of hops! It is similarly
enjoyed in cuisines of several Asian countries, India, as well
as in Africa and the Caribbean.
Newsletter Vol 11/2024
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KP Phyto has invested heavily in
understanding the points along
the supply chain that must be
controlled for the best quality
outcomes in Bitter Melon
ingredient quality. We also
invest into the understanding
and development of the
research behind Indian
traditional botanicals…with a
focus this month on Bitter
Melon!
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 Sep 2024
In Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, Bitter Melon, also known as Karela, is revered
for its potent bitter taste, which is linked to its ability to
balance Kapha and Pitta doshas. Ayurveda associates
bitterness with stimulating digestive fire (Agni), clearing
toxins (Ama) from the body, and purifying the blood. Bitter
melon is classified as having tikta rasa (bitter taste), which is
beneficial for improving appetite, digestion, and
metabolism. In Ayurveda, even though it is characterized by
a bitter flavor, and thus a signal that it balances Kapha and
Pita doshas, Bitter Melon is actually considered tridoshic—
good for balancing all three doshas.
Bitter melon is commonly used for blood sugar balance, as
Ayurvedic practitioners believe it has the ability to regulate
blood sugar by reducing excess Kapha, which is linked to
obesity and sluggish metabolism. Additionally, it is used in
formulations for skin health, digestive support, and
respiratory wellness, and is considered to have rejuvenating
(rasayana) qualities that support the immune system.
The Chemistry
There are several compounds that have been identified as
possibly being main actives, including a polypeptide dubbed
“plant insulin”, polypeptide P, or p-insulin. Other important
compounds are present including charantin, a mixture of two
steroid glycosides, which is believed to play a role in blood
sugar balance. Vicine is a glycoside present that also has
been found to support blood sugar balance.
Other bioactives include the cucurbitacins, bitter compounds with
liver and other wellness supporting activies; as well as, saponins
and flavonoids, both known antioxidants that can balance
oxidative stress in the body.
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KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 Sep 2024
Bitter Melon also contains a good amount of vitamins A, C, and
several B vitamins, along with as minerals such as potassium,
magnesium, iron, and zinc.
The Science
The fruit, seed and leaf extracts of Bitter Melon have
demonstrated blood sugar balancing activities in preclinical
studies. Within 30-60 minutes, p-insulin has been observed
to have similar effects to bovine insulin, which peak at about
4 hours.
Research has suggested that Bitter Melon may stimulate the
production of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone
that plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and insulin
secretion.
Bitter Melon’s role in activating AMPK (AMP-activated
protein kinase), a key regulator of energy metabolism, has
been investigated for its potential to support a healthy
weight.
Bitter Melon has been observed to decrease
gluconeogenesis in the liver, while increasing glycogen
synthesis, as well as increasing the secretion of insulin from
the pancreas. There are also observed effects in the muscles:
increased content of insulin-regulated glucose transporter
(GLUT4) and glucose uptake.
Bitter melon’s rich content of flavonoids, saponins, and
cucurbitacins contribute to its cytokine balancing and
antioxidant properties. These compounds help balance
oxidative stress that is important for maintaining a state of
health.
Despite the promising possible mechanisms of action and
preclinical research, not all clinical evidence has shown clear
benefit— while some studies have found improvements in
Newsletter Vol 11/2024
For more information ....
on Momordica charantia &
other ingredients.
Visit:
https://phytoextractskp.com/
herbal-extracts-manufacturers-
suppliers/
or mail us at.
E:Info@phytoextractskp.com
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KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 Sep 2024
Meet us at Supply
Side West 2024
We are delighted to invite
you to visit our booth 2345,
at Supply Side West , from
October 30-31st ,
2024.Discover the ultimate
source of authentic botanical
extracts and experience
firsthand quality and
innovation that set us apart in
the industry.
HbA1c and fasting glucose, others found no significant
difference. Therefore, more studies are needed to
understand its wide clinical use.
Looking into the Future
Bitter Melon is a plant with multiple uses and a long history
of use in traditional medicine systems. The research has
been building behind its diverse range of bioactive
compounds, particularly its insulin-like peptides and bitter
triterpenoids, which contribute to its efficacy in supporting
blood sugar balance, supporting digestion, and promoting
overall health. Although more clinical studies are needed to
better understand how it is best used for health, there has
been some good advances in substantiating its traditional
use. Whether consumed as a bitter tonic, a dietary staple, or
a traditional medicine, bitter melon continues to be valued
for its multifaceted health benefits.
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KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 Sep 2024
© K Patel Phyto
Extractions Pvt Ltd(India)
Notice:-
This content is for
informational and educational
purposes only. It is not
intended to provide medical
advice or to take the place of
such advice or treatment from
a personal physician.
Kerry Hughes, MSc., The Ethnobotanical Explorer,
Kerry Hughes, MSc.,The Ethnobotanical Explorer & principal
for EthnoPharm, is an Ethnobotanist and Registered
Herbalist, with a 20-year record of success in natural product
development. EthnoPharm specializes in innovative product
formulation, education, and nexus-of-market opportunity
identification.
Newsletter Vol 11/2024
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