Bitter Melon Extract
Also known as: Momordica charantia, karela, bitter gourd, balsam pear, charantin
Bitter melon is a tropical vine fruit eaten as a vegetable across Asia and used traditionally for blood sugar. Its constituents include charantin, polypeptide-p, and cucurbitane triterpenoids. A meta-analysis of eight RCTs in type 2 diabetes reported lower fasting glucose, post-meal glucose, HbA1c, and total cholesterol versus control, though study quality was mixed. Fruit or whole-plant extracts of 500–2,000 mg per day appear in glucose-support and metabolic formulas.
Research summary
Constituents are proposed to increase glucose uptake via AMPK activation and to inhibit intestinal glucose absorption.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of extract.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 500–2,000 mg | — | — |
500–2,000 mg of fruit extract daily in divided doses with meals. Trials varied widely in preparation (dried fruit powder, juice, extracts) and duration, so the effective dose is not settled. Take with food to limit GI upset.
Standardization: typically 10:1 fruit extract; some grades standardized to charantin or bitter principles
Source material: fruit extract
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Intensely bitter; capsules and tablets only in practice. Gram-level doses raise capsule counts.
Formulation notes
Additive glucose lowering with diabetes medications. Traditionally avoided in pregnancy because of reported uterine effects.
- Notable drug interactions
- Not for pregnancy
Sources
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