World Diabetes Day 2025: Why Bitter Gourd Is Gaining Buzz In Blood Sugar Management

World Diabetes Day 2025: Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. New study shows bitter gourd can reduce 31 per cent glycose levels.

World Diabetes Day 2025: Diabetes is a chronic disease whose prevalence has been rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. About 59% of adults aged 30 years are living with diabetes without medication in 2022, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Risks Of High Blood Sugar

It is a condition that occurs when your pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. According to healthcare professionals, diabetes requires timely intervention because when it is left untreated, this condition may cause people to experience blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and sometimes lower limb amputation.

Millions of people are suffering from high blood sugar levels, without proper care and medication because of several reasons, such as high cost of treatment and the unavailability of resources. As we draw closer to observe World Diabetes Day 2025, which occurs on November 14 every year, a team of scientists from Lucknow University presents a groundbreaking study that validates that stable vegetables can indeed be medicinal. This research can help people across the globe living with diabetes to lower their blood sugar through low-cost food-based interventions.

Scientists Examined Cucurbitaceae Family

Talking about the findings, Vikas Gautam, who led the research team told the media, "This is more than just plant research; it's about transforming everyday vegetables into therapeutic options. Our findings support safe, low-cost, food-based interventions that could relieve millions from the economic burden of diabetes."

Under the guidance of Professor AM Saxena, who holds expertise in helminthology and herbal remediation of diabetes, the scientists examine five edible plants of the cucurbitaceae family including Momordica charantia var muricata, comprising wild bitter gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, cucumber, and pumpkin.

Bitter Gourd May Reduce 31 Per Cent Of Glucose Level

Following a thorough screening of antidiabetic activity on five vegetables, bitter gourd variety called Momordica charantia var. muricata had the strongest effect by reducing 31 per cent of blood glucose level. On the other hand, ridge gourd and cucumber also showed potential to regulate glucose.

"The research was conducted through a novel four-in-vivo model covering fasting, fed, glucose-loaded and diabetic rat models. The approach, designed jointly with endocrinologist Dr Ashutosh Ranjan, ensures rapid evaluation of glucose-lowering potential in a shorter time frame compared to conventional studies," said Prof Saxena.