It seems like everybody knows someone who has diabetes.
It could be a friend, relative or even an acquaintance.
That isn’t surprising because diabetes is an epidemic.
In this article, I’ll briefly talk about diabetes, the causes and how you can potentially reverse this through juicing and the right diet.
If my father who is in his early seventies was able to do it you can too.
Disclaimer: These recipes (particularly the first one) are so potent (when combined with medication) that it can excessively lower down blood sugar level to dangerously low levels. Please do your due diligence and have a regular blood test to monitor blood glucose level. These recipes will work best with type-2 diabetes.
Some statistics
If you check out the statistics in Diabetes.org close to 30 million Americans have diabetes and that number is rising with around 1.7 million new cases per year.
As of 2014, over 347 million people worldwide have diabetes, if that number doesn’t scream epidemic I don’t know what will.
This is close to my heart because my father, brother and uncle have diabetes and if I’m not careful I might get it too.
If you want jump straight to the recipes, click here.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where our bodies have elevated blood sugar levels because of two things – (1) the body does not produce insulin or (2) it does not respond well to insulin.
The first form of diabetes I described is type-1 diabetes, the 2nd which I’ll be talking about here is type-2 diabetes which accounts for 90 to 95% of diabetes cases.
We have to take this condition seriously because once you have it your whole life changes. Depending on the type of diabetes you have, you may either have to have oral medication, insulin shots or both.
Diabetes left undiagnosed is a silent killer because the symptoms don’t manifest until it’s too late.
Severe cases of diabetes can result to heart disease, hypoglycemia, blurred vision, and amputation.
That’s why it is important that we have our regular blood tests even if we are less than 30 years of age because this disease does not choose age.
It doesn’t matter the age, diabetes affects everybody young and old.
What causes diabetes?
There are five factors that play a role in diabetes (two of which you cannot control).
1. Unhealthy eating habbits
First is an unhealthy lifestyle that includes a diet rich in processed sugar, carbohydrates and red meat. Modern living has brought us a lot of great innovations, unfortunately that includes fast food that is rich in preservatives and high in sugar.
So it is no surprise that people diagnosed with diabetes have had a meteoric rise in the past few decades.
The less processed the food is the better it is for your body.
For example brown rice or wild rice would be a better option than white rice because the later contains a lot of refined carbohydrates.
The latter has more fiber and complex carbohydrates. Having more fiber content means the gut has to digest. This prevents the body from producing lots of insulin.
2. Lack of exercise
In a study done by the American Physiological Society, lack of exercise lowers the body’s sensitive and/or responsiveness to insulin which is one of the causes of diabetes [source].
Science Direct further reinforces this by stating that increased physical activity lowers the risk of IGT from progressing to type-2 diabetes. In their studies, they found that exercise increases the body’s blood glucose and free fatty acid utilization thus lowering blood glucose levels. In other words, blood glucose and fatty acid is used as energy during physical activity. [source]
3. Genes
The second way of getting diabetes is hereditary. If any of your parents have diabetes, the greater chance you have getting this ailment so you have to be very careful when any of your folks have this ailment.
Watch what you eat closely because it won’t take a lot for your body to have elevated blood sugar levels.
4. Ethnic Background
Third, your ethnic background can also play a role. According to EveryDayHealth.com, Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans are more prone to diabetes but take note that lifestyle factors play a big role like the food they eat, culture, etc.
Japanese have the healthiest diet
In contrast to the list above, the Japanese probably have the healthiest diet in the world. Only 4 percent of the population are overweight and if you look closely at what they eat it’s easy to figure out why.
A traditional Japanese dish often starts off with miso soup then followed with a low calorie and high fiber mix of vegetables, fish and seafood. To wash things down, they drink a hot cup of tea instead of a cold soda.
Okinawans have a saying “Hara hachi bu” or eat until you’re 80 percent full so it’s no surprise that there aren’t many overweight Okinawans and they live longer.
In the Philippines where I live, we have a rich and diverse culture and that includes food. Unfortunately a lot of the a lot restaurants here serve foods that are rich in fat, carbohydrates and sugar, if you’re not careful you can get high cholesterol and diabetes over time.
5. Age
Age is also a big factor. The older you are, the higher the risk you have to develop this condition. My dad who lived through the second world war and didn’t eat junk food or tasted fast food until he was in his 40s or 50s. And despite all this he still has type-2 diabetes.
Foods that cause diabetes (eating too much of these may be a triggering factor)
- Drinks that are rich in sugar such as sodas, fruit punch, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweet tea [source]
- Candies, raisins, pancakes (and syrup), French fries, white bread, whole milk, bacon, cakes and pastries, pretzels [source]
- Cereal grains, industrial seed oil, fructose [source]
- White rice, regular pasta, sugary breakfast cereal, white bread, instant oatmeal, corn flakes [source]
- Foods rich in saturated fat like regular ground beef, hot dogs, sausage, spareribs, gravy made from meat drippings, coconut oil, palm oil, poultry skin [source], [source]
In order to avoid diabetes, we have to watch what we eat. It would be best to avoid processed sugar, saturated fat and meat.
Instead of eating fried food rich in saturated fat, why not steam or grill instead? And instead of drinking store bought rich in processed sugar, why not make our own?
It’s okay to eat chocolate cake or steak on occasion but we have to limit it to the absolute minimum.
Father time is undefeated and if we aren’t careful in this area we are increasing our risk of acquiring this condition.
Yes even if you’re in your 20’s (or younger), you will have to eat everything in moderation.
How to prevent diabetes?
With the right diet and enough exercise, diabetes can be prevented.
According to Harvard School of Public Health you need to do 5 things:
1. Control your weight
First you need to control your weight. Being overweight increases the risk 7 times!
Second you need to get off that lazy boy and increase your physical activity. Not only does exercise improve your muscles’ ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. It also helps you sweat and lose weight by building muscle and reducing fat inside the body.
2. Get off the freakin’ couch and exercise
Even with a simply brisk walk 30 minutes a day lessens the chance of developing type 2 diabetes by 30% [source]! Of course a more intense exercise regimen will reap more benefits, choose a workout program that will suit your fitness level.
3. Watch what you eat
This is the toughest because of the availability and convenience of fast food. It seems like there’s a fast food establishment in every corner where I live and this is temptation that we have to live with every day.
Even “healthy” foods that claim to be “sugar free” aren’t really healthy.
In order to eat healthy, you have to do the following
1. Avoid eating processed carbohydrates like white rice, donuts, bagels, cereals (yes that includes Wheaties). Instead eat their whole grain counter parts like brown rice and whole wheat bread.
2. Avoid drinks rich in sugar, yes that includes Gatorade and other “fortified” drinks. These beverages are rich in sugar and drinking one or more servings of it per day increased the risk by 83 percent [source].
These include fresh fruit juices extracted from a juicer. Even if fresh fruit is better than processed sugar, you have to remember without fiber to slow down absorption, it will cause spikes in blood glucose levels.
Unused glucose becomes fat so I think it’s good incentive to avoid it.
Eat more “good fat” that bad fat. Examples of good fat include fish oil, avocado, vegetable oil, nuts and seeds. Bad fat are fond in fast food and chips. When buying baked products, you have to look at the ingredient list and make sure it doesn’t have “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil”.
Limit consumption of red meat and processed meat. The former includes beef, lamb and port and the latter includes bacon, hotdog and deli meats. Eating even eating a small amount of steak per day (around 3 ounces) increase risk of diabetes by 20 percent! If you eat smaller amount of processed red per day (e.g. 2 strips of bacon) increases the risk by 51 percent! [source]
3. You need to quit smoking (if you are a smoker) because you increase your chances of getting diabetes by 50% just by puffing a cigar. [source]
4. Lastly, drinking a glass or two of alcohol per day can improve the efficiency of insulin in terms of glucose absorption by cells. Take note that moderation is the key as drinking too much can have the opposite effect. [source]
Recipes for diabetics (or people with pre-diabetes)
One common ingredient found in most of the recipes here is bitter melon and for good reason.
According to diabetes.co.uk it contains 4 ingredients that help lower blood glucose levels – lectin, charantin, vicine and polypetide-p.
NYU Langone medical center says that bitter melon is so potent that when combined with medication may reduce blood sugar too much that it can fall to dangerously low levels.
That’s the good news. The bad news is taste – bitter melon is the most bitter of all fruits and vegetables.
These recipes I’ll share with you will range from very bitter to less bitter. Most of the ingredients added is there to dilute the strong flavor. If you have type-2 diabetes then stick with the first few recipes and avoid recipes with too much fruit in it.
Experts say that you should avoid eating more than 2 bitter gourds per day. Also if you are pregnant avoid drinking these because it might trigger premature contraction and bleeding which may result to a miscarriage.
The Blood Sugar Buster
- 2 large bitter melons
- And nothing else
My dad has type-2 diabetes and he has drunk this very bitter recipe the past few months and now is off his medication. His blood glucose levels have been below the borderline mark as well as his A1C test which measures the blood glucose levels the past three months.
This is the most concentrated form and it is very bitter but it is very potent.
Blood Sugar Busting Diuretic
- 2 large bitter melons
- 1 medium cucumber
- Half a lemon
Both the cucumber and lemon will dilute the strong bitter flavor of the 2 large bitter melons. But you will still feel the bitterness of this drink as you chug it down.
If you don’t want pure bitter melon this is a good alternative.
Slightly Sweet and Very Bitter
- 2 large bitter melons
- 1 medium cucumber
- Half a lemon
- 1 Fuji apple
If the “blood sugar busting diuretic” is too strong then try this recipe. Both are similar and the only difference would be the Fuji apple.
I love using these types of apples because they are firm and have a lot of juice. But limit it to just one because we don’t want to add to much fructose into this drink.
If you prefer to use green apple that’s alright because it’s purpose is only to dilute bitterness and add flavor to this drink.
Where to buy bitter melon?
I’ve received a number of people asking me where to buy this fruit. Remember that this fruit comes from Asian countries with tropical weather all year round so the best place this is in Asian stores.
My in-laws live in Seattle so if I wanted to buy this whenever I come here I’d go to an Asian store like Ranch. If you live in a different state, you can google “Asian store near me” and it’ll give you a list of stores near your area.
Let me know in the comments section when you’ve tried any of these recipes. Or if you have your own recipe just let me know. If you are looking for some diabetic friendly recipes, check out these mouth watering recipes from Neeva.
Image courtesy of pixabay.com
Hi Garrick,
I am very interested in diabetes prevention and treatment because most of my family members have diabetes. I do not because I changed my diet in order to prevent it so I really appreciate the importance of your specific juicing recipes for diabetes.Thank you so much for sharing the your healthy juicing recipes with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing!
Deborah,
Type 2 diabetes treatment involves a lot of discipline, like avoiding foods rich in sugar like fruit juices, junk food and the like. Moderation is the key and these juice recipes will help. You can suggest that your family members try a glass of pure bitter melon juice in the morning before any meals. If that’s too strong for them, then try the other two recipes – it is more palatable. Just remember not to go over eat/drink over 2 per day. Like what I’ve said in the article my dad has stopped drinking his medication because his blood glucose levels have gone down. Another reason why he does not want to take his medication is that makes him hungry for whatever reason – I guess that’s the side effect of it.
A question on the preparation of the bitter melon recipe. I am assuming that I place two bitter melons, I medium cucumber and half lemon in a food processor and juice it? How about the skins? Do I leave them in?
Thanks
Sri
Juicer
Hi Garrick and Deborah,
I want to thank you so much for sharing these juicing recipes specifically for diabetics. It means so much to me! Starting today, I’ll be using juicing to help control my diabetes. I have a question though.. doesn’t your body miss the fiber from food? Should I supplement fiber when I drink the juice?
12 years ago when I was diagnosed with diabetes I didn’t know how much of an impact it would have on my life… I’d pay over $5000/year in supply costs.. I was worried sick my children may not develop normally, I’d always be worrying about the possible future complications.. I’d find it hard to stay motivated to continue treatment.
My friend told me about a Doctor she saw on Oprah.. she said the Doctor created a program on how to reverse diabetes, I found it at http://goawaydiabetes.org I’m frickin tired of worrying about syringes, pens, lancets, pump sets, blood work, IV’s so I’ve been giving it a try…
Results so far: My fasting blood sugars were 230-250 range, three weeks after following the program I’m in the 120s.. I’m hoping to get into the 70s and stay there for good.
Everything is coming into normal ranges but I think I’ll always be diabetic for life. If I don’t follow the protocol I’ll go back to my old numbers right?
Has anyone else tried the program? If so how did it work for you I’d really like to hear..
Thanks so much!
Jessica Matthews
@Deborah Davis,
I recommend you visit this link (http://amazingdiscoveries.org/H-deception-health_laws_nutrition_exercise) to read about the laws of health given to us by God . These simple laws when obeyed will bring tremendous health as the result.
Goodluck.
Hello cute lady! I’m loving it. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you so much for partying with us. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. We love to party with you! Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks for your great info, really appreciate your work. I have a question, please. Where will I find bitter melon? I can’t recall ever seeing it in a grocery or health food store.
Robin in North Florida
Hi Robin,
Try to look for it in specialty Asian food stores.
you can find bitter melon called “Karela” in Indian stores usually as its used a lot in indian cooking.
Dear Garrick
I am pre-diabetic and my husband is a diabetic with poorly controlled blood sugar. However, I have a pacemaker and am on a blood thinner (Pradaxa) and wonder if people on blood thinners should take bitter lemon which according to one of your comments may cause bleeding it is so strong.
Thank you for letting me know.–Char
Hi Char,
You’d have to consult with your physician whether or not it’s safe to take with a blood thinner just to be on the safe side. My dad consulted with his physician and both of them agreed to discontinue the diabetic medication since his blood sugar levels are at normal levels.
RE: Bleeding, I think I was referring to bitter melon not being safe for pregnant women because it may trigger premature labor.
There are 2 types of bitter melon available here, which 1 are you referring to? The light green shinny big long type or the darker green textured mini type? Thank you.
Irene,
Use the big long type because the small one is really really bitter.
Question. I am interested in juicing. I bought a big high tech blender to do this only realizing it mixes everything together into a smoothie not a juicer. So my question is which one to buy. My preference is the 3″ diameter chute, easy cleanup, but needs to be smooth. I don’t think i will like a pulpy juice since i hate it in my OJ. That is the most important aspect there. It needs to be juice. I looked at your reviews but knowing my preference, what would you choose? I appreciate you taking the time n doing this. Because i am clueless and i feel if i start it off bad it wont last.
Hi Gina,
Thanks for dropping by. For your needs have a look at the Kuvings NJ-9500 – it has a wide 3″ feed chute and a really fine mesh screen that does not produce a lot of pulp. It disassembles easy so clean up should be quick.
Hi,
Thanks for all this helpful information .
Can you please show us wich type of melon you mean??
Do we have to pill the bitter melon?
thanks
When you say “Bitter Melons” in your recipes, what type of melons are you referring to? Ie cantelope, honey dew, watermelon? And are you saying they have to be unriped, to achieve the “bitter” flavor?
Hi Chi,
Nope it isn’t any of those. It’s this one >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momordica_charantia
It’s a fruit that’s abundant in tropical Asian countries like the Philippines or Taiwan.
Hi. Do you think we can add like a tablespoon of agave nectar to the first 2 recipes to make it more tolerable? How often do you suggest this be taken?
The best fruits in my opinion to combine with bitter melon would be lemon and apple. You could try agave but it will still be overpowered. You could also add a small one inch chunk of ginger.
Hi, I just wanted to get your opinion on my choice of juice I’m making. Recently I got braces and can only eat soft foods. Instead of eating bread all day I started juicing. I drink 1 gallon and inside I blended 6 Kale leaves, 1 cucumber, 5 collard greens, 2 lemons, a handful of spinach , 1 green apple and 1 grapefruit. I’ve only been doing this for a week but it seams to keep me full all day. Just wanted your opinion on my choice of juice I’m making.
Josh, That’s actually a healthy recipe can you try taking off the green apple and see if you can handle the taste? Also I would mix up some smoothies to go along with green juice just for the fiber. Your gut needs it as well.
If you can eat some soft solids like soups or porridge that’ll be a good addition to your diet while you cannot eat solids food.
My dad does not like bitter things
I ran across your post on bitter mellon which I have been experimenting/using bitter melon. I am diabetic, I would like to know how would you make a smoothie with the bitter mellon buster? I have but with smoothie you have to add water, and I have also added in as a part of the smoothie, just not that amount, so what are your thoughts on this, I don’t mind drinking it straight at all I view it as medicine and have acquired a taste, I also make them pickled . Thanks !
Where is the full juicing recipe? Instructions?
Do you drink this once a day? Am or pm does it make a difference?
For best results, you’d have to drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Holly, Once a day first thing in the morning before any meal.
Hi Garrick,
What is your take on bitter lemon tea?
I have diabetis 2 and I’m having a hard time comtroling it.
Thank you
It won’t be as potent as consuming fresh bitter melon.
When making the bitter melon juice, is it peeled or is the whole fruit with skin juiced?
What is the complete mixing instructions? I have a juicer and a Nija, can I use either one? Are the ingredients whole or peele? Good info, just make it great by completing the process, please…
Ryan
Does the bitter mellon need to peeled of juiced whole without peeling? Also what about bitter mellon tea?
Where do you get bitter melons? I never heard anything about them, or saw them in the grocery store. I live in Austin, Texas.
Thank you!
Laura
you can try Asian stores
What is and where do I find bitter melon?
Im going to try this bitter melon. I hope it works for me.
Hi,
I am communicating from India. Bitter melon is recognised as a natural medication for diabetes.. Baba Ramdev advises bitter melon juice first thing in the morning for diabetics. His recipe is bitter melon plus cucumber plus tomato.
Another vegetable that you can add is the green fruit of ivy gourd which looks like a small cucumber and also reduces blood sugar. 4 of these.
Mr. Dee, was your father a newly diagnosed diabetic?
Thanks for sharing. I am buying a Phillips juicer. They are at a discount at Amazon. We can get bitter gourd any day here and cook with it. But we never eat as much as two whole melons/ gourds at one go and as you mentioned, we may not be able to absorb as much as from the juice.
Thanks Susan for sharing your recipe. No my father has been diagnosed for diabetes several years ago but he’s okay he’s regularly drinking bitter melon and eating okra. He’s off his medication but he has to watch what he eats – that means controlling white rice intake, no soda, no juice, etc.
Hi im just about to try this with my husband he is type 2 diabetic.Do you deseed or peel the melon and as he is on blood thinner does he need to talk to his doctor first? thanks
Read your email on u and your husband just trying the bitter melon recently in September.. Did it really work to bring your A1C’s down ??
Hi,
This bitter melon juice, helps blood sugar level.
Would it help to improve pancreas? thanks regards Siri
I started juicing with bitter melon once in the morning and once in the evening. I juice the melon with spinach, celery, cucumbers, kale, carrots and apples. Is this too much? What do you recommend? I am considering adding a juice for lunch because my blood sugars are in the 200’s and my A1C is 10 right now.
Hi Garrick,
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I’m on a border line {high blood sugar}, which needs controlling or reducing as soon as possible.
When making the bitter melon juice, is it peeled or is the whole fruit with skin juiced?
Thanks.
Ive read thru all the comments and is there a reason that the question of should we peel the melon or not has not been answered? Many people have asked it but it has not been resolved. I appreciate you sharing the information but why not give all of it at this point.
Hi James, sorry for the late reply. No you don’t need to peel it, just make sure to wash it thoroughly before juicing. If you can get organic bitter melons that would be better but you still have to wash it.
Thank for the info. Looking forward to trying it. Will come back and let everyone know.
Well James did it work .I would like to try it.And what store did you fine the fruit.Thank you vickie
you do not have to peel the skin. In most fruits, and vegetables most of the active nutrients are inside, or close to the skin. I usually cut them in half, scoop out the white center with a spoon, and then i will place it into my vita mix along with water (8 to 10 oz) to make a smoothie, (i don’t use a juicer) that way you can get that beneficial fiber.
Hi all, i want to find out if the bitter melon recipe can cure Diabetic Neuropathy (tingling foot) associated with type 2 diabetes?
I appreciate your responses.
Please can anyone confirm if alcohol consumption is good for treating type 2 diabetes?
Hello
I’m not sure if the fuirt & vegetables should be piled or not. Thanks !
It’s best to eliminate all animal products and eat a whole foods, plant-based diet. Watch the award-winning documentary, Forks Over Knives, on Netflix for free or Amazon for a small fee. Mind-blowing. It reviews the China Study and how most diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. are caused by animal products (all meat, fish, dairy, eggs). We’ve been lied to us our whole lives that we need meat and dairy, eggs to be healthy. So not true. Big Ag and the USDA are in cahoots with the US government. My husband and I have been eating a whole foods, plant based diet filled with fruits, veggies, whole grains, like quinoa and brown rice and legumes (lentils, split pea, black beans). We feel amazing!!!
Hi Sir,I would like to as far non-existent insulin dependent diabetes and heart problems “Is Slightly Sweet and Very Bitter Melon Juice good for that?”
i wanted to know .. how to take the bitter melon juice .. every day . once a week or once a month for a better result
Can you I just purchase the bitter melon juice from the store.. melons are hard to find locally here? Thoughts? If so what brand do you suggest?
Thanks for sharing this.I tried one bitter melon,1 beetroot,4 tomatoes,1 orange and few grapes to make juice for myself and my diabetic father-in-law.So so much bitter.Next time I will try cucumber ,apple and lemon.?
I make a juice which consists of 4/5 pieces of bitter melon, without the seeds (you should not have the seeds), half an apple , some pomagranate, 1/2 radish, cucumber, a piece of red pumpkin,lemon, ginger, some cumin seeds, a little pepper, a tiny pinch of Himalayan salt and blend them all in the blender strain and drink it.
Sometimes i have other vegetables likes carrot, tomatoes celery, etc.,fruits like Gauva, gooseberry, moringa leaves. However, bitter melon is always there and a mus t in all my juices. I do not have diabetes, but my husband ha sit and I also drink this juice as it is full of healthy things that are very good for diabetes and even normal person.
Also first thing in the morning we have teaspoon of soaked fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
Bitter gourd can also be had as a curry which tastes very good, and we Indians have many tasty snacks also with this vegetable,
Just today i made this very healthy snack:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10213865080125474.1073742192.1362316517&type=1&l=027c85453f
anybody who don’t like the taste of bitter juice can try this recipe
Wow…, this “bitter melon” is bad tasting are we sure this is a fruit? I have a couple of shrub bushes in my front yard that would taste better. I got to look for other means.
Thanks for this. Sounds delicious!
I tried this recipe already and its very effective, 1-bitter melon / 1/2-cucumber / thumb size-ginger / 1-lemon everyday, two hours prior to any foods…its taste like crap but very effective…
Hi, I want to know when is best to drink this juice?, How many time a day? and How often as in everyday or once a week?
I would appreciate your help.
Jorge.
I take the bitter melon tablets. Has any research been done comparing the tablet to the fresh melon?
what happens if you take too much over a period of time?