Nutraceuticals and bioactive components of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)
Paper Details
Nutraceuticals and bioactive components of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)
Abstract
As plants are considered as the main source of foods for living organisms, the consumption of plant-derived bioactive components among human beings is an increasing trend nowadays. The bitter gourd has been used as food and medicine across the world but mostly grows in tropical countries like Asia and Africa. This review compiles the various nutraceuticals such as the proximate biochemical, vitamin and mineral compositions, and bioactive components derived from bitter gourd and describe its potential to benefit human health. This review also provides valuable information for researchers to maximize the use of natural resources especially on controlling and preventing diseases. This article uses the systematic method for reviewing where the evidences collected from different scientific studies on bitter gourd were analysed and synthesized quantitatively. The fruits, leaves, seeds and roots of bitter gourd are found to contain abundant amounts of protein, lipid, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive components with healing potentials as well. Although plant-derived bioactive components are considered to cause less harm, the use of these compounds to cure and prevent diseases must undergo comprehensive scientific studies to confirm its potential since not all bioactive compounds coming from plants are beneficial to human health.
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