Is It Good To Drink Bitter Leaf Every Day? Expert Answers

You’re here because you are probably wondering, “Is it good to drink bitter leaf every day?” Truth is, you’re not the only one asking.

That’s why, in this article, we discuss all you need to know about taking bitter leaf water.

Key Points:

• Beyond being used for meals, bitter leaf serves as a herb for treating certain ailments.
• The leaves, stem, and roots of bitter leaf can be prepared as a natural drink (tea, juice, or smoothie). No artificial additives added.
• Daily and excessive intake of bitter leaf may lead to side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, anaemia, and hypoglycaemia.
• Daily intake of bitter leaf water may worsen certain health conditions or interact with some medications.
• It’s wise to consult a doctor before incorporating bitter leaf as part of your daily routine.

Vernonia amygdalina, commonly known as “bitter leaf” because of its distinctive bitter taste, is a popular medicinal plant in Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana. If you are thinking of taking bitter leaf more often or making it a part of your daily diet because of its nutritional and potential health benefits, you will find the sections that follow helpful.

Nutritional Content of Bitter Leaf Water

Bitter leaf water is a natural drink with no artificial additives like preservatives, sweeteners, colours, or flavours. It is high in nutrients. It is rich in:

• protein
• fibre

• vitamins such as vitamins A, C, and E, which are essential for immune function, vision, and skin health
• minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, which are important minerals for bone health, blood production, and muscle function.
• It also contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds such as beta carotene and other compounds (like saponins, alkaloids, and tannins) which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimalarial, and anticancer effects.

Health Benefits of Bitter Leaf:

• Antioxidants: Bitter leaf contains antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds such as beta carotene, saponins, and tannins. These compounds can help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. These antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that help prevent the body from infections and diseases.

• Anti-inflammatory Effects: The antioxidants in bitter leaf also have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. A review of studies has shown that the flavonoids and phenolic compounds in bitter leaf extract may possess anti-inflammatory properties, which could be beneficial for conditions like arthritis and diabetes.

• Promotes Antimicrobial Activity: A 2018 study has shown that bitter leaf extracts have bioactive phytochemicals with antimicrobial effects against certain bacteria and fungi. This suggests that Bitter Leaf extract may be beneficial for treating infections and promoting the healing of wounds.

• May Support Liver Health: Some studies have shown that bitter leaves may promote liver health and help protect the liver from damage caused by toxins.

• Antimalarial properties: Bitter leaf has long been used in traditional medicine to treat malaria. Animal studies have suggested that it may be effective for treating malaria, as it is rich in quinine, a compound that has been proven to cure malaria.

• Anti-diabetic properties: Bitter leaf may be beneficial in diabetes management, and some studies suggest that it may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it a potential aid in diabetes management.

• Lower blood pressure. Bitter leaf contains potassium, calcium, and magnesium which are minerals that can help relax the blood vessels, improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.

Potential Risks of Drinking Bitter Leaf Water

• Bitter Taste: The bitter taste of bitter leaf does not make this drink an enjoyable drink for most.

• Drug Interactions: Although there are not enough studies to prove all the acclaimed benefits of bitter leaf, the few that have been done have shown that bitter leaf has medicinal properties, like quinine, hypoglycaemic effects, and antimicrobial properties. This means that it may interact with certain medications. 

Also, since it has no standard dosage, it can lead to an overdose, especially when taken with other medications.

• May cause an allergic reaction: Some individuals may be allergic to bitter leaves. They may develop symptoms of allergy such as skin rashes or digestive issues after taking bitter leaf water.

• Anaemia. Some studies have suggested that a high or prolonged consumption of bitter leaf may cause anaemia. 

Is It Good To Drink Bitter Leaf Water Every Day?

The fact is that, “Too much of everything is bad.” This may be applicable in the case of taking bitter leaf water daily. 

Although bitter leaf offers many health benefits, moderate consumption is key. 

Due to the potent compounds and medicinal properties of bitter leaf, the daily and excessive intake of bitter leaf may lead to side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, anaemia (shortage of blood), and hypoglycaemia.

Furthermore, daily intake of bitter leaf may worsen certain health conditions or interact with some medications. Therefore, it is advised that individuals with certain health conditions or those on medications should consult a doctor before incorporating bitter leaf as part of their daily routine.

How To Prepare Bitter Leaf Juice

Aside from its use in preparing many African dishes, bitter leaf is traditionally used in treating ailments such as malaria, diabetes, cough, rashes, typhoid, and stomach ache.

The leaves, stem, and roots of bitter leaf can be prepared as a drink (tea, juice, or smoothie). This drink is natural with no artificial additives like preservatives, sweeteners and colour. 

Follow the steps below to prepare your own bitter leaf juice:

• Pluck and rinse the bitter leaf to get rid of dirt and dust.

• Squeeze, pound, or blend the bitter leaf into a smoothie and drink as juice. You can also boil it and drink it as tea. 
• You can also prepare the tea from the root and stem. Select a healthy-looking stem or root, cut it into small pieces, wash to get rid of dirt, and boil it with water.

Other Ways To Incorporate Bitter Leaf Into Your Diet

Here are some tips to help you add more bitter leaf into your diet in a way that doesn’t feel like punishment:

• Start with a smaller quantity: To determine how well your body can tolerate regular intake of bitter leaf, start with small portions and gradually increase the quantity.
• Add into other foods: You can add a little bit of the bitter leaf into other herbal drinks such as juice from mint-fluted pumpkin or basil leaves. You can also add the leaves as vegetables into your soup, salads, and other dishes to add in more nutrients to the dishes. 

People Also Ask 

We answer other questions about bitter leaves that people also ask.

1. What is the effect of bitter leaf juice on the kidneys?

Bitter leaf exhibits properties that may promote kidney health. Research indicates that bitter leaf extracts may offer protective effects against kidney damage. Thus may be due to 

• The antioxidant content of bitter leaf, helps to fight against harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and potential kidney damage; 
• It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect the kidney from injury. 

1. Can bitter leaves help in managing diabetes?

Bitter leaf has anti-diabetic properties, and studies have shown that it can help in blood sugar regulation and reducing insulin resistance.

1. Can pregnant and breastfeeding mothers drink bitter leaf water?

There is limited research available on the safety of drinking bitter leaf while pregnant or breastfeeding. So, it is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult with a healthcare professional before consuming bitter leaf water.

Wrapping Up: To Drink Or Not To Drink Bitter Leaf Water Every Day?

The evidence supporting the potential benefits of bitter leaf is promising but still limited. It is advised that bitter leaf should not be used as a conventional treatment for any health condition; instead, use it as a complementary therapy.

It is also important to note that bitter leaf, like most herbal supplements, has no dosage, which means you can overdose on it, especially while taking it with other medications. So if you intend to take bitter leaf daily, you must talk to a doctor to discuss any side effects or interactions this may have if you are on medications.

References

1. Du-Bois Asante et al. (2024) Therapeutic Benefits of Vernonia amygdalina in the Treatment of Inflammation and Its Associated Diseases

1. Evbuomwan L. et al, (2018). Antibacterial Activity of Vernonia amygdalina Leaf Extracts against multidrug resistant bacteria

1. Oboh G. (2006). Nutritive value and haemolytic properties (in vitro) of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina on human erythrocyte

1. Muammar Fawwaz, et al.(2023). The Potential of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) in Herbal Medicine as Anti-Inflammatory Agent

1. Temesgen Bihonegn, et al (2019). Antimalarial activity of hydromethanolic extract and its solvent fractions of Vernonia amygdalina leaves in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

1. L. L. Hamman, et al (2016). Effects of aqueous extract of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) on  phenyl-hydrazin induced kidney damage in albino rat.

1. Du-Bois Asante and Gideon Akuamoah Wiafe  (2023). Therapeutic benefit of Vernonia amygdalina in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications in preclinical studies

1. Marcellinus Ejovwoke Arhoghro, et al. (2009). Effect of Aqueous Extract of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia Amygdalina Del) on Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Induced Liver Damage in Albino Wistar Rats

1. Achuba, F. I. (2018). Role of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) extract in prevention of renal toxicity induced by crude petroleum contaminated diets in rats.

1. Chike C. et al. (2018). Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) Extract on some of the Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats

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