According to Healthline – Although diabetes and high cholesterol continue to rise worldwide, there are many ways to combat them. Eating the right foods is a great way to start.

One fruit, which seems strange at first glance, but which fights cholesterol and controls blood sugar levels is the St. Caetano melon, also called Bitter Melon. Other evidence also suggests that the melon is slimming.

This is a green fruit with small spikes and has a slightly bitter taste. In Asian cuisine, it is considered a staple ingredient and is loaded with powerful health nutrients.

Diabetes

Research has shown that extracts of bitter melon can help combat blood sugar problems. A study looking at 24 adults with diabetes found that taking 2,000 mg of a bitter melon supplement a day helped lower blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c over a three-month period, as well as increasing the secretion of insulin – a hormone needed for blood sugar control.

Another study looking at 40 people with diabetes also found that taking 2,000 mg of extract of this fruit a day over a four-week period led to a reduction in blood sugar levels, as well as lowering levels of frutosamine – another marker of blood sugar control.

Another exotic fruit that appears to have similar effects is noni.

(Bitter Melon)

Cholesterol

Bitter melon can also improve heart health by controlling cholesterol. Heart disease can be caused by high cholesterol, and research has shown that Bitter Melon can help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

One study on rats that were fed a high cholesterol diet found that taking extract from this melon led to significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels. Another study found that giving rats bitter melon extract significantly reduced cholesterol levels when compared with a placebo.

Enjoy and also check out the best fruits for high cholesterol and include them in your diet.

Weight loss

But that’s not all. According to some research, bitter melon can also help you lose weight and, more specifically, belly fat.

One study found that taking 4.8 grams of bitter melon extract a day led to significant reductions in belly fat. Study participants lost an average of 0.5 cm of waist circumference after the seven-week trial.

Another animal study found that taking extract of this melon led to a decrease in body weight compared to a placebo.

So, if you’re looking to lose a few inches off your waist or get blood sugar or cholesterol control, it may be worth trying bitter melon. Keep in mind that this is an informative article and you should consult a doctor before adding any type of food or supplement to your diet.