Can I eat bitter melon when I have my period?

As we all know, bitter melon is a food ingredient that has the effects of clearing heat and relieving summer heat. Especially in the hot summer, many people like to eat bitter melon. But we know that not everyone is suitable for eating bitter melon. For example, from a health perspective, women during menstruation should not eat bitter melon. So why can't women eat bitter melon during menstruation?

Can I eat bitter melon during menstruation?

Nutrition experts point out that bitter melon can clear away heat and reduce fire, relieve fever and restlessness, relieve fatigue, clear the heart and improve eyesight, and invigorate qi and strengthen yang. From the perspective of modern medicine, bitter melon is rich in dietary fiber and vitamin C, which is nearly three times that of tomatoes. Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that can improve the body's stress resistance and reduce the risk of cancer. In addition, bitter melon also contains momordica glycosides, multiple amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, carotene, B vitamins, etc. However, "suffering" must also be approached dialectically. Chinese medicine experts point out that some people have weak spleen and stomach, and are prone to diarrhea after eating cold food. Their stools are usually loose and tasteless. Such people are not suitable for enduring hardships. Because bitter melon is bitter and cold, it has an astringent nature, and the coldness slows down blood circulation. Therefore, women during menstruation should not be too "hardworking" and be careful not to affect the smoothness of menstruation.

If the stomach and intestines cannot tolerate this bitter cold, you need to add spicy foods such as chili, pepper, onion and garlic when cooking. So as not to damage the spleen and lung qi. In summer, people like to stay cool and like to use fans and air conditioners, which can easily catch a cold. At this time, eating some spicy foods such as garlic, ginger, coriander, onion, chives, basil leaves, etc. will help expel the cold from the body.

Tip: Women should not eat raw, cold, sour, spicy or other irritating foods during menstruation. They should drink more boiled water and keep their bowel movements smooth. People with hot blood should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables before menstruation, and avoid eating foods that stimulate fire such as onions, garlic, leeks, and ginger; people with qi and blood deficiency must increase nutrition on a regular basis, such as milk, eggs, soy milk, pork liver, spinach, pork, chicken, lamb, etc. Avoid eating raw or cold fruits and vegetables. People with heavy menstrual bleeding should avoid eating brown sugar.

Nutritional value of bitter melon

Bitter melon, also known as cool melon, is a vegetable that is widely loved by people. Bitter melon is rich in crude fiber, vitamin C, calcium, iron and other nutrients, which are very beneficial to human health. Bitter melon has the following effects and functions:

1. Bitter melon has the effects of clearing away heat and relieving summer heat, nourishing blood and invigorating qi, nourishing the kidney and strengthening the spleen, nourishing the liver and improving eyesight. It has a certain therapeutic effect on dysentery, sores, heatstroke and fever, excessive prickly heat, conjunctivitis and other diseases.

2. Bitter melon is high in vitamin C, which can prevent scurvy, protect cell membranes, prevent atherosclerosis, improve the body's stress resistance, and protect the heart.

3. The active ingredients in bitter melon can inhibit the carcinogenesis of normal cells and promote the recovery of mutated cells, and have a certain anti-cancer effect.

4. The momordica charantia in bitter melon is known as the "fat killer" and can reduce the intake of fat and polysaccharides. Bitter melon can also clear away heat and eliminate heart fire, detoxify, improve eyesight, replenish qi and essence, quench thirst and relieve heat, and treat carbuncle.

5. Bitter melon contains saponins, which have medicinal and health functions such as lowering blood sugar, lowering blood lipids, anti-tumor, preventing osteoporosis, regulating endocrine, anti-oxidation, anti-bacteria, and improving human immunity.

6. Bitter melon can moisturize dry skin, and also has the effects of whitening and moisturizing.