Anti-diabetic Properties in Bitter Gourd and in Other Vegetables (Version One)

 Anti-diabetic Properties in Bitter Gourd and in Other Vegetable (Version One)

I shall write a second easier version of this paper if this Version One is a bit too technical for general readers. For the moment  I need to write this article in the technical language of nutrition meant for doctors and other biomedical scientists.   

 

By: blogger lim ju boo, alias lin ru wu (林 如 武)

 

I was watching my favourite China CCTV 17 television programme on rural agriculture in China last night. This channel televised entirely in Mandarin is actually meant for domestic rural viewers in China on how they produce food and agriculture.

 

The programme last night was about bitter melon or bitter gourd we call it here in Malaysia. Its scientific name is - Momordica charantia, a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae.

 

They did not mention about some of the health properties of bitter gourd - an area I am more interested as a food scientist,  nutritionist and physician.

 

Some of the things they mentioned in Mandarin was ‘after removing the white pulp only the translucent green flesh, resembling jade, remained’. They then mentioned ‘the bitter melon is soaked in well water for up to two hours to enhance its crisp texture. After being air-dried, it is placed in a food storage container with purified mineral water added”…and so on.

 

Since they did not mention about the health properties of bitter melon and other foods, I decided I should write just a little bit about it, and other vegetables that have anti-diabetic properties.  This may benefit readers here, especially those with diabetes

 

Here’s what I have to say about the mechanism of how bitter gourd works as an antidiabetic food  along with  examples of  other vegetables how works.

 

Title of Article:

 

Nature’s Molecular Shield: The Comparative Biochemistry of Anti-Diabetic Vegetables and Herbs

 

The search for effective therapeutic agents to manage diabetes mellitus remains a corner stone of clinical nutrition, food science, and metabolic medicine. While conventional pharmaceuticals dominate clinical care, a wealth of botanical elements possesses profound, scientifically verified hypoglycemic capabilities.

Rather than working through a single pathway, different vegetables and herbs target distinct physiological nodes. These include blocking intestinal carbohydrate digestion, promoting pancreatic cell regeneration, down-regulating hepatic glucose production, and activating peripheral insulin receptors.

By analyzing these mechanisms through a molecular lens, clinicians and nutritionists can better understand how specific plants modulate glycemic control.

1. Intestinal Enzyme Inhibition and Carbohydrate Blockade

The first line of defense in dietary glycemic control occurs directly within the lumen of the small intestine. When complex carbohydrates are consumed, brush border enzymes—specifically α-glucosidase and pancreatic α-amylase—break down polysaccharides into absorbable monosaccharides like glucose.

Inhibiting these enzymes significantly alters post-meal glucose spikes. It delays carbohydrate digestion and extends the overall absorption timeline across the gastrointestinal tract.

1. Okra:

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), widely known as lady’s finger, bendi in Malay, or qiūkuí (秋葵) in Mandarin, serves as a prime example of this mechanism. The thick, viscous mucilage of okra is composed of a specialized carbohydrate complex rich in rhamnogalacturonan polysaccharides.

This acidic polysaccharide structure forms a highly viscous, gel-like matrix inside the intestinal lumen. This matrix acts as a physical barrier that traps dietary starches and reduces the diffusion rate of free glucose toward the intestinal wall.

Concurrently, the seeds and peel of okra are packed with powerful polyphenolic compounds, specifically the flavonol glucosides isoquercitrin and quercetin. These phytochemicals function as potent bio-inhibitors of intestinal α-glucosidase.

They bind to the enzyme's active site to prevent it from splitting disaccharides into simple sugars. This dual action—the physical trapping by rhamnogalacturonan and the biochemical enzyme inhibition by flavonols, effectively blunts postprandial hyperglycemia.

A similar gate-keeping mechanism is found in White Mulberry Leaf (Morus alba). Mulberry leaves contain a specialized polyhydroxy alkaloid called 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ). Structurally, 1-DNJ mimics simple sugars and acts as a competitive inhibitor of α-glucosidase enzymes.

When 1-DNJ locks into the enzyme, it prevents the breakdown of starches, allowing a portion of ingested carbohydrates to pass through the upper digestive tract unabsorbed.

2. Peripheral Insulin Resensitization and Glucose Transporter Translocation

Once glucose enters the bloodstream, managing it requires efficient disposal into skeletal muscle and adipose tissues. In type 2 diabetes, this process is broken because target cells develop insulin resistance, failing to respond to hormonal signaling.

Certain botanical compounds can bypass or repair this broken link. They activate metabolic master switches that force cells to absorb glucose from the blood.

The primary cellular switch involved in this process is Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). AMPK acts as the energy sensor of the cell. When activated, it triggers a cascade that forces Glucose Transporter-4 (GLUT4) proteins to move from inside the cell out to the cell membrane. This acts like opening a biological gate, allowing glucose to stream from the blood into the cell for fuel.

2. Bitter Melon: 

I mentioned about bitter gourd or bitter melon I saw over China CCTV 17 which was what I actually wanted to write initially. 

Here's my biochemical-clinical-nutrition story: 

 The clinical profile of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) as an anti diabetic vegetable lies on  the steroidal saponin Charantin that directly upregulates this AMPK pathway. By stimulating AMPK, bitter melon causes skeletal muscles to pull sugar out of the bloodstream independently of insulin secretion, providing a direct countermeasure to insulin resistance.

Bitter melon is an incredibly low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and nutrient-dense vegetable that consists of roughly 92% water. It stands out primarily for its exceptionally high vitamin C content.

According to nutritional data compiled across several sources, here are the typical nutrient composition for 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) of raw bitter melon:

Macronutrients & Calories

Calories: 17 to 21 kcal (extremely low-energy), carbohydrates 3.7 to 4.0 grams, dietary fiber 2.0 to 2.8 grams (meaning over half of it are fiber), protein 1.0 gram, fats 0.2 grams (virtually fat-free), sugars: near 0 grams

Key Vitamins

Vitamin C: 84 mg (roughly 93% to 99% of your Daily Value). It is a powerful antioxidant essential for bone building, skin health, and immune function.

Folate (Vitamin B9): 72 mcg (18% of your Daily Value). Crucial for normal cell growth and red blood cell production.

Vitamin A: Provides about 2% of the  daily value, mostly in the form of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A to support vision.

Other B-Vitamins: Contains trace quantities of thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and vitamin B6.

Key Minerals

Potassium: 319 mg to 358 mg. This is roughly the same amount of heart-healthy potassium found in a small banana.

Magnesium: 16 mg to 19 mg. Supports nerve function, muscle regulation, and energy production.

Iron: Accounts for roughly 4% of our daily value.

Trace Minerals: Small, beneficial amounts of Zinc, Phosphorus, and

Bitter melon (also known as bitter gourd  contains three primary active components with proven anti-diabetic properties

Polypeptide-p - A plant-derived protein that acts structurally like human insulin to actively help tissues absorb glucose out of your bloodstream.

Charantin and vicine, a  bioactive compounds that work together to increase glucose storage in the liver and muscles while improving overall glucose tolerance.

High fiber & low glycemic index: Eating the whole vegetable slows down your digestion, which prevents sharp blood  sugar spikes after meals.

3. Cinnamon: 

In the realm of medicinal herbs, Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) works through a complementary pathway. Cinnamon is highly concentrated in cinnamaldehyde and unique proanthocyanidin polymers.

 

These active compounds act as true insulin mimetics at the cellular level. They bind directly to the insulin receptor on cell walls, autophosphorlyating the receptor and activating downstream insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) pathways. This action re-sensitizes resistant cells, accelerating glucose clear-out and lowering fasting plasma glucose levels.

3. Pancreatic Beta-Cell Protection and Insulin Secretagogue Activity

For individuals experiencing a decline in natural insulin production, certain herbs provide targeted support by interacting directly with the insulin-producing beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans within the pancreas. These botanical components act as secretagogues—compounds that stimulate the physical release of insulin—while protecting these delicate cells from oxidative damage.

4. Fenugreek:

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) utilizes a unique amino acid derivative known as 4-hydroxyisoleucine to achieve this effect. 4-hydroxyisoleucine acts as a glucose-dependent insulin secretagogue.

Unlike synthetic secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas), which can force insulin release even when blood sugar is low and cause dangerous hypoglycemia, 4-hydroxyisoleucine only prompts pancreatic beta-cells to secrete insulin when circulating blood glucose levels are elevated. This provides a safer, auto-regulated approach to glycemic control.

Additionally, the legendary herb Gymnema Sylvestre (traditionally called the "sugar destroyer") works through an entirely distinct mechanism. Gymnema is rich in gymnemic acids, which exhibit a structural arrangement that mirrors glucose molecules.

Beyond its ability to temporarily block sweet taste receptors on the tongue, gymnemic acids stimulate the structural regeneration and repair of damaged pancreatic beta-cells. By reversing islet cell atrophy, Gymnema helps restore the pancreas's natural capacity to synthesize and secrete insulin.

4. Suppression of Hepatic Gluconeogenesis

The liver plays a major role in chronic hyperglycemia, particularly regarding high fasting blood sugar levels. Overnight, the liver often produces excess glucose through a pathway called gluconeogenesis.

Even when an individual avoids carbohydrates, key hepatic enzymes can convert non-carbohydrate substrates into a continuous stream of blood sugar.

5. Ginger: 

To stabilize baseline glucose levels, herbs like Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and the alkaloid Berberine (found in goldenseal and barberry) target these hepatic pathways. Berberine, in particular, suppresses the expression of critical gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver, such as glucose-6-phosphatase.

By shutting down these biochemical catalysts, it stops the liver from pumping unneeded sugar into the system overnight, helping stabilize morning fasting glucose readings.

Summary of Comparative Plant Mechanisms

1. Okra & White Mulberry: Primary action is localized in the gut. They rely on physical gel formation and competitive enzyme inhibition to delay carbohydrate digestion and lower immediate post-meal sugar spikes.

2. Bitter Melon & Cinnamon: Primary action targets peripheral tissues. They stimulate the AMPK and IRS-1 pathways to force insulin-resistant muscle and fat cells to pull sugar from the blood.

3. Fenugreek & Gymnema: Primary action focuses on the pancreas. They utilize glucose-dependent secretagogues and cellular repair mechanisms to optimize natural insulin manufacturing and release.

4. Berberine & Ginger: Primary action occurs in the liver. They down-regulate gluconeogenic enzymes to prevent excessive baseline and overnight sugar production.

 

Understanding these distinct cellular mechanisms highlights the value of medical nutrition therapy. By selecting functional foods and herbs that target different metabolic pathways, patients can achieve comprehensive, multi-angle support for blood sugar management alongside conventional medical treatments.

 

References

1.  Abelmoschus esculentus (L.): Bioactive Components and Applications. PMC Nutrition and Metabolic Insights, 2019.

2. Effects of Okra Products on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profiles. ScienceDirect Journal of Functional Foods, 2021.

3.  Hypoglycemic Herbs and Their Diverse Actions Mechanisms. PMC Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 2009.

4.  Effects and Mechanisms of Anti-Diabetic Dietary Natural Products. Royal Society of Chemistry: Food & Function, 2024.

5.  Unravelling the Role of Natural Herbs for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Springer: Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 2025.

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What Happens to the Soul of Someone who Dies Without Any Religion?

“When Someone Dies Without Religious Belief: Science, Faith, Near-Death Experiences, and the Question of the Soul”

Following an article I wrote all round the clock from last night into the early hours of this morning and posted it here in my blog:

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2026/06/does-living-body-posses-soul-version-one.html

 

A friend of mine, Dato Dr Ong Eng Leong then wrote to me  this morning this :

 

"A family member just passed away yesterday after suffering a stroke and was hospitalized for nearly a month. He did not have the benefit of any religious beliefs although his final ritual ceremony was in Buddhist style. Dr J B Lim, how would his soul experience under such circumstances?"

 

I then replied to Dato Dr Ong  this:

 

"Thank you for this very difficult question. I don't know the exact answer for sure.. Most religion like Christianity, Islam, and Orthodox Judaism believe there is a soul and will be judged according to our works here on death

They teach that salvation or a secured afterlife requires adherence to their specific faith or deity. Some belief systems suggest those without a specific religion might face different tiers of consequence, ranging from separation from the divine to specific judgment based on their morality and actions in life.

Beliefs about what happens to a soul without religion vary widely depending on philosophical, spiritual, and secular perspectives, as there is no single, universally proven answer. Here are the most common perspectives on the afterlife for those without religious ties Consciousness ends when brain activity ceases. The physical energy and matter that made up the person return to the natural environment, similar to the cycle of all living things.

Some believe in spirits  but not religion. For them the soul continues to exist and may transition to a spiritual realm, undergo a life review, or prepare for reincarnation, but independent of organized religious doctrine or judgment".

However, there are many recorded cases of people who died without religion and experienced Near Death Experience (NDE). They returned to tell of another world they saw much more beautiful and peaceful there where their dead relatives were waiting for them but told to return to this world to tell there is life after death. Their lives changed entirely after they returned from the dead.

Let me now extend further what I answered to Dato Dr Ong this morning. 

 One of the most difficult questions we ask is not whether death exists, but whether something in us survives death.

This question becomes especially personal when someone we know passes away without formal religious belief. We wonder: What happened to them? Did their consciousness simply cease? Is there a soul? Would they be judged? Could they still find peace?

These questions become even more painful when we stand beside a hospital bed and watch medicine reach its limits.

As a  scientist trained in many areas of sciences, and in various systems of  medicine, I recognize that biological death can be described medically. As human beings, however, many of us feel that medicine does not completely answer what death means.

The Scientific Perspective: Consciousness and the End of Life

From the scientific viewpoint, death occurs when the body's vital systems irreversibly cease functioning and the brain can no longer sustain consciousness.

Current neuroscience generally considers consciousness to arise from brain activity. Under this framework, when brain activity permanently ends, subjective experience also ends.

Matter and energy are not destroyed but transformed. The atoms that once formed our body return to nature.

Science can describe the mechanism of dying.

But science, at present, cannot conclusively answer whether subjective awareness continues after death.

That question remains open to philosophy and faith.

Religious Perspectives: Different Roads Beyond Death

Across civilizations, remarkably similar questions have emerged.

Christianity generally teaches that human beings possess an immortal soul and that life continues after death. Final destiny is related to God's justice, mercy, and relationship with Him.

Islam likewise teaches accountability before God and continued existence after earthly death.

Judaism contains varied views but traditionally affirms life beyond physical death.

Buddhism approaches the question differently. Rather than an eternal individual soul in the classical sense, many Buddhist traditions describe continuity through causes and conditions, karma, and rebirth.

Hindu traditions often describe reincarnation and the continuing journey of the self across lifetimes.

Many spiritual but non-religious people believe consciousness survives independently of organized religion.

Although their conclusions differ, many traditions share one striking idea:

Physical death may not be the end of meaning.

What About Those Without Religion?

This question often carries an unspoken assumption:

If a person had no religion, are they automatically lost?

Different religions answer differently.

Some traditions emphasise explicit faith.

Others emphasize conscience, compassion, sincerity, justice, and moral life.

Some believe divine mercy extends further than human understanding.

Others hold that judgment belongs to God alone.

From a philosophical perspective, absence of formal religion is not necessarily absence of reflection, goodness, love, sacrifice, or a search for truth.

Many people who never joined a religion still lived lives of compassion, integrity, and service.

Near-Death Experiences (NDE): Glimpses Beyond the Edge?

One reason people continue asking about life after death is the large number of reports known as Near-Death Experiences.

People from different cultures have described experiences during periods of severe physiological crisis:

– a sense of leaving the body
– moving through darkness or light
– overwhelming peace
– encounters with deceased relatives
– panoramic life review
– reluctance to return

Many return profoundly changed—less fearful of death and more compassionate.

Scientists offer possible explanations involving oxygen deprivation, altered neuro-chemistry, temporal lobe activity, memory reconstruction, and brain states under extreme stress.

Others argue some NDE reports remain difficult to explain entirely through current neuroscience.

Importantly, NDEs do not constitute proof of an afterlife.

But neither have they disappeared as a phenomenon despite decades of study.

They remain an intriguing meeting point between medicine and mystery.

A Christian Reflection: Is Faith a Form of Spiritual Preparation?

From  my Christian perspective—and not a statement imposed on or for everyone—faith may be understood not merely as insurance against death but as entering a relationship with God during life.

Many Christians believe salvation is not earned by perfect works but received through grace.

From this viewpoint, accepting Christ is not simply choosing a religion but trusting in God's mercy revealed through Christ.

Yet Christianity itself also teaches humility.

Human beings do not finally judge souls.

Only God sees the full story of a person's heart, intentions, understanding, suffering, and circumstances.

If God is perfectly just and perfectly loving, then whatever lies beyond death would also reflect both justice and mercy.

My Personal Reflection as a Christian (Not Meant to Speak for Others)

After reflecting on science, philosophy, different religions, and accounts of human experiences near death, I realize that no one living today can claim complete certainty about what happens beyond death.

As a scientist and doctor, I respect evidence, observation, and intellectual humility.

At the same time, as a Christian by personal conviction, I also accept that not every important truth in life can be placed under a microscope or measured in a laboratory.

My faith in Christ is not based on rejecting science, nor is it intended as criticism of other religions or those who do not believe.

Rather, it is my personal response to what I find meaningful and convincing in the life and teachings of Jesus, in the historical influence of Christianity, and in my own reflections about human existence, morality, hope, forgiveness, and the mystery of consciousness.

For me personally, faith is not a contract of safety against death but a relationship of trust.

When I think about death and the possibility of a soul, I find peace in believing that human life has meaning beyond molecules and moments.

I choose to place my hope in God and in Christ—not because I claim certainty over others, but because this is the path that gives me peace, purpose, and hope.

At the same time, I recognize that many sincere and good people walk different paths in life.

I believe ultimate judgment, if such judgment exists, belongs not to human beings but to God alone.

Therefore I prefer not to ask:
“Who will be accepted?”

But rather:

“How shall I live—with truth, humility, compassion, and love—while I still have this life?”

That is my personal faith and belief  - not meant to be  imposed on others.

Others may believe differently, and I respect their journey as I hope they will respect mine.

My Personal Reflection

When someone dies without religion, perhaps the most honest answer is:

We do not know with certainty what they experienced.

But love allows us to hope.

Science allows us to remain curious.

Faith allows us to trust.

And humility allows us to admit the limits of our knowledge.

Perhaps the question is not only:
“Where did they go?”

But also:

“How shall we live now, knowing one day we will follow?”

If there is nothing beyond death, then love still mattered.

If there is something beyond death, then love mattered even more.

Until humanity crosses that final horizon ourselves, we continue to seek truth—with science, with reason, with faith, and with compassion. 

I hope I have answered Dato Dr E.L Ong and for others who may have the same question?