The Japanese proverb "Ryouyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi" (Goodmedicine tastes bitter) is the story of Goya.
Okinawa has become famous worldwide as one of the areas with the most centenarians, and much attention is focused on the Okinawan diet. When the prefecture spends a day in May honoring a vegetable, it clearly suggests that this is one staple to which the locals attribute much of their wellbeing.
What It Is
Goya, also known as “bitter melon” or “bitter gourd” in English, is the green, bumpy, cucumber-shaped vegetable you will find in abundance in the fresh produce section of any Japanese supermarket. As the English name suggests, it has a very distinct and often acquired taste that can be either loved or loathed. Regardless of the taste preferences, there is no denying the amazing health benefits of this Okinawan classic.
Health Benefits
In addition to being rich in a number of vitamins and minerals, goya has also long been used as a medecine for a range of health conditions, includingtype 2 diabetes. Goya possesses a phytonutrient, polypeptide-P, which has the ability to lower blood sugar levels in the body. In addition, there is a unique substance found in goya, called charantin, which increases the metabolism of glucose in the body.
Goya stimulates digestion, can regulate bowel movements, aid in weight loss, and has been used in treatments to kill cancer cells.
Ayurveda (traditional Hindu medicine) and traditional Chinese medicine have long usedbitter melon for its blood purifying and detoxifying qualities. The bitter element of goya has a cooling and cleansing effect on the body, which is especially good for the liver, gallbladder, treating kidney stones, and reducing water retention. The blood purifying properties believed to be present in goya can have a positive effect on the skin and reduce conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.
In addition, goya stimulates digestion, can regulate bowel movements, aid in weight loss, and has been used in treatments to kill cancer cells. Goya is high in vitamins B, C, E and K as well as folates, while being very low in calories. It is also said that it can help with hangovers.
How to Use It
Goya can be cooked in various dishes, used in salads or drank as juice or smoothie.The classic goya dish in Japan is goya champuru, a stir-fry easy meal cooked with eggs and tofu. But you can get more creative with the vegetable and make stuffed goya, pickles, tempura, or simply fry or bake it and add to a healthy salad.If you have a juicer at home, another alternative is to get your goya fix through an amazing green detoxifying elixir (see recipe below).
Goya champuru
One of the biggest challenges withthis vegetable can be its palatability. If you find eating goya a challenge, try some of thesetips:
- Buy dark green, firm and young goya. These are less bitter.
- Slice lengthwise and remove the inner seeds and rind. These parts are for the very seasoned goya eater. Once seeds and rind are removed, soak or boil in salted water for five to 10minutes to reduce the bitterness of the melon.
- Add small quantities of goya to stir-fries along with lean meats, tofu, egg and other vegetables in order to become accustomed to the strong taste.
Recipe: Green Goya Juice
Ingredients:
- 1 goya (inner seeds and rind removed)
- 1 small green apple
- 2 cucumbers
- 2 sticks celery
- ½ lemon
- Small piece of ginger (optional)
Instructions:
- Wash all fruit and vegetables well.
- Add all ingredients through a juicer, stir well and drink immediately. Feeling better already?
Using this recipe? Share your photos with us viaFacebookorInstagramwith a hashtag #savvytokyorecipe . Enjoy! Xx
Comments
Tanaquil LeMaster says:
August 9, 2023 at 2:14 am
Will it effect blood thinner?
Debbie says:
August 25, 2023 at 11:46 am
Where can you buy this?
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FAQs
The fruit of Katsura-uri (Japan's heirloom pickling melon, Cucumis melo var. conomon) possesses a fruity aroma and moderate sweetness. The fruit juice has potential to minimize human postprandial blood glucose levels.
Does goya lower blood sugar? ›
Health Benefits
Goya possesses a phytonutrient, polypeptide-P, which has the ability to lower blood sugar levels in the body.
What are the benefits of eating goya? ›
It is also said to help shift glucose from the blood to store in the cells by stimulating the production of insulin, which may account for the reported low levels of diabetes in populations adhering to the traditional Okinawan diet. It also contains high levels of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C.
What does goya mean in Japanese? ›
In Japanese the bitter melon has been called “nigauri” in most parts of Japan, but “goya” in Okinawa, and recently its name as “goya” has caught on throughout Japan.
What is the number one fruit to lower blood sugar? ›
Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. Dad jokes aside, foods like blueberries provide fiber and antioxidants known to lower blood sugar and inflammation. Similarly, one study found strawberries reduced diabetes complications like kidney disease and nerve damage.
What is the one vegetable that lowers blood sugar? ›
Broccoli contains fiber and a nutrient called sulforaphane, which may help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
What is the golden drink that lowers blood sugar? ›
The ingredients in golden milk, particularly ginger and cinnamon, may help lower blood sugar levels. For instance, 1–6 grams of cinnamon per day may lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 29%. Moreover, cinnamon may reduce insulin resistance ( 30 , 31 , 32 ).
What is the drink that lowers blood sugar? ›
Green tea
For instance, a 2019 meta-analysis of 27 studies found that short- and long-term green tea consumption lowered fasting blood sugar levels.
Is egg good for diabetes? ›
Eggs are a source of high-quality protein that can play a helpful role in regulating blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Enjoy up to 12 eggs per week as part of a nutritious diet that's higher in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean protein, and lower in highly-processed food.
What is goya from Okinawa? ›
Goya, known as bitter melon, is a unique and fascinating fruit from Okinawa, Japan. Its bumpy green skin and distinct bitter taste might make you hesitate, but don't let that stop you! This unusual melon offers much, from impressive health benefits to versatile culinary uses.
Raw and unprocessed goya, such as in salads or juices serve the highest benefits. If you want to follow in Okinawan footsteps to find your personal ikigai, adding goya to your diet might be a first step to maintain and improve balanced nutrition and therefore, wholesomeness and a long life.
Can you drink bitter melon juice everyday? ›
But it can pose some health risks when taken in high amounts or in the form of supplements. The most common side effects of bitter gourd include digestive disorders. For example, drinking bitter melon juice for days has been found to cause indigestion and diarrhea. The same also applies to bitter gourd extract.
What fruit cuts your blood sugar? ›
Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit are packed with fiber and contain plant compounds such as naringenin, a polyphenol with powerful antidiabetic properties ( 53 ). Eating whole citrus fruits may help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce HbA1c, and protect against diabetes ( 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ).
What is the miracle fruit for diabetics? ›
Overview. Miracle fruit is an evergreen shrub that grows in West Africa. The berry, leaf, and seed oil are used as medicine. People use miracle fruit for diabetes, obesity, taste disturbances in people treated with cancer drugs, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Is Japanese fruit good for diabetics? ›
Yes, persimmons are healthy food for people who have diabetes. They have a low glycemic index and are high in dietary fibres. Therefore, they prevent blood sugar from increasing.
Tanaquil LeMaster says:
Debbie says: