What are the benefits of bitter leaf? As we all know, bitter leaf doesn’t have the most pleasant taste, so people tend to avoid it by all means. However, aside from tasting bitter, as the name implies, it has a plethora of benefits for you.
Bitter leaf, also known as Vernonia Amygdalina, is a medicinal plant that grows in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The plant has played a significant role in traditional medicine practices for many years because it is known to improve people’s health in numerous ways.
If you have not been maximising the usefulness of this plant, today we want to help you look past its unpleasant taste and see what you can benefit from it. Hence, this guide explores the fantastic benefits of bitter leaf; keep reading to learn more.
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8 Benefits of Bitter Leaf
The benefits of the bitter leaf are numerous, but in this guide, we will discuss the 8 most significant and widely known benefits. However, it is very important to know that bitter leaf is not a way of avoiding proper treatment of illnesses unless a physician recommends it as an approved treatment.
Bitter Leaf Relieves Stomach Ache
Stomach aches most times occur without warning; you may not even know what triggered it, but it’s good to know a remedy. Bitter leaf is well known to relieve stomach aches. Its ingredients produce a healing effect on your stomach walls. Some toxicology study has also proven that bitter leaf can help ulcer patients and relieve them of pain. However, ensure you don’t take bitter leaf or drink its juice on an empty stomach, so you don’t worsen the situation.
Bitter Leaf Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Bitter leaf contains some anti-cancer properties like the andrographolide compound, which has been proven to help reduce the risk of prostate, colon and gastric cancers. In addition, studies have also shown that this plant can boost the immune system significantly, prevent the development of cancer cells, and inhibit tumour growth.
Aids in Weight Loss
A regular dose of bitter leaf juice can rid you of bad cholesterol and excess calories, so if you have been looking for a way to burn that extra fat and shed some weight, bitter leaves can be a very good solution.
Lowers High Blood Pressure
The bitter leaf plant contains potassium, an electrolyte that balances the salt and water concentration in the blood and extracellular fluid. It prevents sodium from spiking up in the bloodstream by flushing out excess salt from the body. It is also known to contain some vaso-dilatory properties, which can help regulate the dilation of blood vessels, ensuring that blood flows in the appropriate volume needed by the body.
So bitter leaf is a good home remedy for controlling blood pressure, but it is advisable to have a blood pressure checker so you will be sure of when to take it and not to do it excessively.
Enhances Fertility
The bitter leaf plant is very impressive when it comes to enhancing fertility for both men and women. The chemical compounds present in the plant, such as edotides, have proven to promote hormonal balance, which can improve your chances of being reproductive, and also boosts the immune system to help fight against toxification.
Furthermore, a biomedical study by the International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine has shown that the bitter leaf plant also has positive effects on sperm quality in men. In all, the high levels of minerals and vitamins in the bitter leaf plant benefit the overall reproductive health of men and women and can increase their fertility.
Bitter Leaf Helps to Treat Fever
A fever can cause you a lot of trouble, so do not wait until it worsens before doing something about it. Once you notice any signs of feverish conditions, you can take bitter leaves to relieve the symptoms and aid treatment. The plant contains flavonoids which have some powerful antioxidant effects, and other elements like glucosides, lactones and diterpene, are also very effective in treating and reducing fever and its symptoms.
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It Aids in the Treatment of Diabetes
Scientifically, it has been proven that bitter leaf contains some components that play a pivotal role in promoting normal insulin function and moderating blood sugar. The vitamins, phytochemicals, ash, proteins, carbohydrate and lipids in bitter leaf all act together to lower blood sugar levels. This can greatly help prevent or aid the treatment of diabetes.
Bitter Leaf Improves Metabolic Function
One of the many benefits of bitter leaf is that it contains Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, which plays a role in the metabolism of lipids, glucose and amino acids in the body. Vitamin B1 is also an essential dietary supplement that occurs naturally in the plant; it aids chemical synthesis and helps to oxidise fatty acids in order to synthesise lipids. So generally, bitter leaf helps improve the human body’s metabolic function.
How Often Should you use Bitter Leaf?
You can take bitter leaves twice or once daily until you get positive results and improve your health. However, if you want to keep taking it consistently, you must do it in moderation and monitor your health.
Are There Side Effects to Bitter Leaves?
It will not be surprising to say that bitter leaf has some side effects because whatever has advantages will also have disadvantages; however, one of the common causes of the side effects of bitter leaf is the abuse of the plant. People tend to take it excessively even when they need medical treatment.
In addition, the plant may have different effects on different people, so if you notice any of these signs after using bitter leaf, you should take a break from it or consult a physician.
- Imbalance of blood glucose and blood pressure.
- Severe heat problems.
- Diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fatigue.
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After reading this guide, are you willing to give up on all these numerous benefits of bitter leaf because of its bitter taste? The choice is yours, but remember that the taste only lasts for a short while, but its benefits can give you a lifetime of healthy living. So consider incorporating it into your diet occasionally, and remember that this information can also help those around you who really need it.
