Product details of Health and Naturals Ampalaya Anti-Diabetes 500mg Softgels, Bottle of 100
<br /><br />Folkloric claims: 

<br />Much of Ampalaya 's claim to fame rests with its folkloric abilities to treat or prevent diabetes, cancer, and various infections, especially gastrointestinal infections and, more recently, the HIV virus that causes AIDS. In India and Sri Lanka Ampalaya has been used as a tonic, emetic, and laxative, as well as a treatment for rheumatic pains and diabetes. In Central and South America, the fruit or tea has been used to treat colds, fevers, stomachaches, constipation and diabetes.

<br /><br />The Chinese and Okinawans have used the fruit, seeds, vines, stems, and leaves for gastrointestinal maladies, including chronic stomach ulcers and dysentery. Other uses include the treatment of fever, viral infections, and toothaches. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, rheumatism, gout, and spleen and liver disorders have also been treated with Ampalaya.<br /><br />&nbsp;It has even been claimed to act as a male aphrodisiac!

It turns out that the bitter taste of Ampalaya is due to the presence of curcurbitacins from the triterpine family, one of the phytochemicals that is thought to play a role in cancer prevention.  <br /><br />Several well-conducted clinical trials support Ampalaya 's ability to lower blood sugar in diabetics. Plus, numerous other benefits have been reported. Test-tube studies have shown beneficial activity against the AIDS virus. A protein in Ampalaya seeds was found to inhibit the growth of the herpes and polio viruses. An extract of the roots and leaves has been shown to inhibit the growth of E. coli, one of the most common causes of urinary tract infections in women. Antitumor activity has been shown in animal studies and linked to a specific anticancer protein found Ampalaya. <br /><br />Two small studies suggested benefit for treatment of glaucoma and hemorrhoids. And some case studies suggest that it can stimulate the appetite.

<br /><br />Ampalaya is also very high in vitamin C, as are many of the green vegetables. But Ampalaya seems to be able to retain its rich quantities of vitarnin C even when cooked at high temperatures, which is a rarity. Interestingly,  research revealed that Okinawans have a higher intake of vitamin C than other Japanese and they are considered to be the eldest people on earth. Part of this is almost certainly related to their love Ampalaya and other green vegetables. Okinawans believe that Ampalaya helps keep their skin and bones young, which again might possibly be related to its vitamin C content and its ability to help synthesize collagen, an essential protein for bone and connective tissue health.