Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
The Effects of Bitter Melon (Mormordica Charantia) on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Publisher Pubmed



Amini MR1 ; Rasaei N2, 3 ; Jalalzadeh M2 ; Pourreza S2 ; Hekmatdoost A4
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Student Research Committee, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition & Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, National Nutrition & Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Phytotherapy Research Published:2024


Abstract

Research indicates that bitter melon could be useful in the management of dyslipidemia. Still, there is disagreement concerning the findings. This systematic study was undertaken to clarify the impact of consuming bitter melon on lipid profile. The databases Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Scopus were queried from inception until February 9, 2023. The study assessed triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The effect sizes were calculated using weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 423 participants were included. Bitter melon consumption resulted in a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of TC (WMD; −9.71 mg/dL; CI: −17.69 to −1.74, p = 0.01) and TG (WMD; −10.24 mg/dL; CI: −19.92 to −0.56, p = 0.03), while bitter melon did not significantly lower blood LDL-C (WMD; −8.66 mg/dL; CI: −19.83 to 2.50, p = 0.12) and HDL-C concentrations (WMD; 0.54 mg/dL; CI: −2.38 to 3.45, p = 0.71). Subgroup analysis showed a significant decrease in TC and LDL-C and an increase in HDL-C at a dose of ≤ 2000 mg/day and an intervention period of ≤ 8 weeks. Also, the greatest impact of LDL-C and HDL-C was seen in diabetic and prediabetic people. Bitter melon supplementation positively impacts TC and TG levels. The limitations of this study were short-term trials (less than 3 months). © 2024 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Related Docs
1. The Effects of Bitter Melon (Mormordica Charantia) on Weight Loss and Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Journal of Food Biochemistry (2025)
2. The Effects of Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia) on Anthropometric Indices in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Prostaglandins and Other Lipid Mediators (2024)
3. Momordica Charantia Reverses Type Ii Diabetes in Rat, Journal of Food Biochemistry (2019)