Karela (Bitter Gourd): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction

Karela, also known as Momordica charantia L., belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is commonly known as balsam pear, bitter gourd, bitter melon, karela, or kugua. Its fruit has been used as a vegetable for thousands of years. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is called ‘bitter melon’ or ‘bitter gourd’ as the entire plant, including the fruit, tastes very bitter. Karela is widely cultivated in India, China, Japan, Malaya, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Colombia, Brazil, Amazon, Cuba, East Africa, Haiti, Ghana, Mexico, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, the Middle East, the Central and South America¹.

The vernacular names of Karela are Karavelli in Sanskrit; Karelo in Gujrati; Karli in Marathi; Baramasiya in Bengali; Kaypa in Malayalam; Karali in Kannada; Kakara in Telugu; Pakar in Tamil.

Nutritional Value of Karela

Karela has the following nutritional value²:

• Water: 94 g
• Carbohydrate: 3.7 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Fat: 0.17 g
• Energy: 17 kcal
• Fibre: 2.8 g
• Calcium: 19 mg
• Magnesium: 17 mg
• Iron: 0.43 mg
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Potassium: 296 mg
• Copper: 0.034 mg
• Zinc: 0.8 mg
• Selenium: 0.2 µg
• Manganese: 0.089 mg
• Vitamin A: 24 µg
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): 0.04 mg
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0.04 mg
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 0.4 mg
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): 0.212 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.043 mg
• Vitamin B9 (Folate): 72 µg
• Vitamin C: 84 mg

Properties of Karela

The properties of karela include³:

• It might be an antioxidant
• It might have hypoglycaemic (lowers the blood sugar level) activity
• It might have anti-bacterial (kills bacteria) property
• It might have anti-viral (kills viruses) activity
• It might have an anti-cancer potential
• It might have anti-diarrhoeal effects

Potential Uses of Karela

1. Potential Uses of Karela for Diabetes

The Karela extract is traditionally used as vegetable insulin as it might have antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Its antidiabetic effect is tested in both animals and humans. When tested in an animal model⁴, the entire plant, including fruit pulp and seed, showed potential antidiabetic properties. Its fruit was found to have more potential effects on diabetes. It might either control the release of insulin or may change the metabolism of glucose⁵.

Karela contains a few chemicals, including glycoside, charantin, vicine, karavilosides, and polypeptide-p (plant insulin). These chemicals might improve blood sugar levels by raising the glucose uptake and synthesis of glycogen in the liver, fat, and muscle cells⁶. Kindly consult a doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions such as diabetes. Please do not self-medicate.

2. Potential Uses of Karela for Antioxidant Properties

The phenolic compounds in karela are a potentially excellent natural source of food antioxidants. Phenolic compounds might have the ability to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and the incidence of heart-related diseases and cancer⁷. However, more research is required.

3. Potential Uses of Karela for Cancer

The karela extract might help modify the signalling pathways involved in breast cancer. It might block the growth of breast cancer cells and may be used as a dietary supplement to help against breast cancer⁸. The fruits, green leaves, stems, and f karela seeds have several active proteins and steroids. These proteins might have potential anticancer activity. However, serious conditions such as cancer should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Therefore, consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.

I came across a fascinating study¹³ that revealed something amazing about karela. According to the study, karela extract may have the power to speed up the healing process of gastric ulcers in rats. However, it’s important to note that studies on humans are needed to confirm these exciting claims.

Dr. Anuja Bodhare, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

4. Potential Uses of Karela for Malaria

Asians, Colombians, and Panamanians have traditionally known karela as a helpful plant against malaria. Various studies⁹ have confirmed that several species of karela may have antimalarial properties. However, please consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.

5. Potential Uses of Karela for Healing Wounds

A series of abnormalities linked with diabetes and delayed wound healing are lowered immune response, reduced formation of new blood vessels, deficiency of growth factors, and reduced collagen production. When karela fruit ointment was applied to the rat (diabetic rat), it showed a potential to improve wound closure and which may help enhance a gene that helps in cell growth. Therefore, it might be beneficial for the healing of the wound¹. However, more research is required to prove such effects on humans.

Though some studies show the potential uses of karela in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of karela on human health.

In my opinion, karela with a bit of a tangy taste, might actually benefit the immune cells. It’s true! It may help calm down inflammation and act as an immunomodulator, which is like being a saviour for your immune response¹¹.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

How to Use Karela?

It is mostly used as:

• Vegetable
• Karela juice
• Karela leaf tea
• Fried karela chips
• Dehydrated karela rings
• Karela pickle

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.  

Side Effects of Karela

• When taken orally by some people, karela might upset the stomach, but there is not much information related to the side effects associated with its long-term use.
• Karela might cause a rash when applied to the skin.
• Some people may experience headaches with oral consumption of karela.
• Karela may also lower the blood sugar level (consult a doctor before use in case you are taking medicines for diabetes).

If you experience any of these side effects, you must consult your doctor immediately.

Based on my observations, karela has two tasty options: young shoots and not-quite-ripe fruits. The fruits are bitter, but you may make them less bitter by blanching or soaking them in salty water. Inside the yellow fruits, you find a treasure trove of good stuff like carotenoids, iron, phosphorous, and vitamin C¹².

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Precautions to Take with Karela

• Surgery: Stop using karela at least two weeks before any surgery. Karela might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.
• Pregnancy: Karela is unsafe during pregnancy as it contains certain chemicals that might be harmful to pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding: It’s safer to avoid its use during breastfeeding as there is insufficient data on its safe use during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before consuming karela.
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency: Karela seeds might cause severe anaemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Therefore, it is better to avoid using karela if you have G6PD deficiency.
• Allergy: Avoid karela if you have a known allergy to karela or any member of the family Cucurbitaceae, including honeydew, casaba, Persian melon, cantaloupe, and muskmelon. Signs of allergy are itching, shortness of breath, or rash¹⁰.
• Do not self-medicate yourself using any herb.

From what I have known and read, karela is a versatile plant that can be included in our diet for better health! It is not only tasty but also may have medicinal benefits. It might keep worms away, relieve pain, help with haemorrhoids, and even soothe rashes¹².

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S. 

Interactions with Other Drugs

Since karela lowers the blood sugar level, taking karela along with diabetes medicines might lower the blood sugar level too much. Therefore, monitor your blood sugar level carefully while taking karela. Discuss your ongoing treatments and medications with your doctor before taking karela for its benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Jia S, Shen M, Zhang F, Xie J. Recent Advances in Momordica charantia: Functional Components and Biological Activities. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5751158/
2. Balsam-pear (bitter gourd), leafy tips, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt – Nutrients – SR Legacy. USDA FoodData Central. [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/168392/nutrients 
3. Jia S, Shen M, Zhang F, Xie J. Recent advances in momordica charantia: Functional components and biological activities. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(12). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29182587/
4. Joseph B, Jini D. Antidiabetic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and its medicinal potency. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease [Internet]. 2013 Mar 16;3(2):93–102. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4027280/ 
5. Gupta M, Sharma S, Gautam AK, Bhadauria R. Momordica charantia linn. (Karela): Nature’s silent healer. ResearchGate. 2011 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285966662_Momordica_charantia_linn_Karela_Nature%27s_silent_healer 
6. Nagarani G, Abirami A, Siddhuraju P. Food prospects and nutraceutical attributes of Momordica species: A potential tropical bioresources – A review. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2014 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/momordica
7. Najm WI. An overview on nutraceuticals and herbal supplements for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In: Elsevier eBooks. 2012 [cited 2025 May 6]. p. 355–65. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/bitter-gourd
8. Psilopatis I, Vrettou K, Giaginis C, Theocharis S. The role of bitter melon in breast and gynecological cancer prevention and therapy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10219438/#sec10-ijms-24-08918 
9. Ahmad N, Hasan N, Ahmad Z, Zishan M, Zohrameena S. MOMORDICA CHARANTIA: FOR TRADITIONAL USES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2016 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296988488_MOMORDICA_CHARANTIA_FOR_TRADITIONAL_USES_AND_PHARMACOLOGICAL_ACTIONS 
10. Kumar KPS, Bhowmik D. Traditional medicinal uses and therapeutic benefits of Momordica charantia Linn. Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res. 2010;4(3):23–8. Available at: https://globalresearchonline.net/journalcontents/volume4issue3/Article%20004.pdf 
11. Kwatra D, Dandawate P, Padhye S, Anant S. Bitter Melon as a Therapy for Diabetes, Inflammation, and Cancer: a Panacea? Current Pharmacology Reports. 2016 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291419012_Bitter_Melon_as_a_Therapy_for_Diabetes_Inflammation_and_Cancer_a_Panacea 
12. Momordica charantia (bitter gourd). CABI Compendium. [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.34678
13. Goo KS, Ashari S, Basuki N, Sugiharto AN. The Bitter Gourd Momordica charantia L.: Morphological Aspects, Charantin and Vitamin C Contents. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science. 2016 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.9790/2380-0910017681

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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