The correct way to soak fresh bitter gourd in water and drink it

The correct way to soak fresh bitter gourd in water is to slice or cut it into pieces, soak it in warm or cold water for 10-15 minutes, and drink it. Bitter gourd soaked in water mainly has the effects of clearing heat and relieving summer heat, assisting in sugar control, promoting digestion, supplementing vitamins, improving skin, etc. It is suitable for people who drink in summer or need to regulate blood sugar.

1. Material selection

Choose fresh bitter gourd with a green and undamaged skin, wash it, cut it in half, and use a spoon to scrape off the white flesh and seeds to reduce bitterness. Depending on personal taste, some pulp can be retained or completely removed. Cut bitter gourd into thin slices or small pieces, with a thickness of about 2-3 millimeters, which is more conducive to the dissolution of active ingredients. If trying for the first time, soak in salt water for 5 minutes to alleviate the bitterness.

2. Water temperature control

It is recommended to soak in water at 40-60 ℃. High temperatures can damage the thermosensitive components such as vitamin C in bitter gourd, while cold water makes it difficult to fully extract active substances. If you need a cold drink, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes before adding ice cubes. Avoid brewing directly with boiling water to prevent excessive bitterness from affecting the taste.

3. Soaking time

The optimal soaking time is 10-15 minutes. If it is too short, the effective ingredients cannot be fully released, and if it is too long, it will cause the water to become turbid and the bitterness to worsen. It can be brewed 2-3 times repeatedly until the taste becomes lighter. In summer, it can be refrigerated and soaked for 4-6 hours to make cold extracted bitter gourd water, which has a milder bitterness and is rich in electrolytes.

4. Matching suggestion

It can be matched with lemon slices, mint leaves or a small amount of honey to blend the bitter taste, but diabetes patients should avoid adding sugar. Soaking with chrysanthemum and cassia seed can enhance the heat clearing effect; Mixing with hawthorn helps with digestion. Be careful not to take it with cold ingredients such as honeysuckle for a long time to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Drinking taboos

People with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should reduce their drinking frequency or pair with ginger slices; Low blood sugar individuals need to control their consumption; Pregnant women should not exceed 200 milliliters per day. Drinking on an empty stomach may irritate the gastric mucosa, it is recommended to take it 1 hour after meals. When diarrhea or palpitations occur, it should be stopped immediately, and long-term users should regularly monitor changes in blood sugar. As a traditional health drink, it is recommended to drink 300-500 milliliters of bitter melon soaked water daily, which can be taken 2-3 times. Pay attention to observing the body's reactions during drinking, and combine a balanced diet and moderate exercise. Bitter gourd is cold in nature, and can be consumed less frequently in autumn and winter. Women during menstruation and those in the recovery period after surgery should use it with caution. When storing, it is recommended to soak and drink immediately. Overnight bitter melon water is prone to bacterial growth and should not be consumed again. For patients with diabetes who need precise sugar control, consult a doctor before drinking.