Drinking pie melon juice may counter diabetes

The Hindu

Dosakaya juice also reduced sucrose feeding induced hyperlipidemia (excessive amounts of fats and fatty substances in blood) say Dr. Ashok Tiwari (sitting). Photo: Special Arrangement

Juice should not be consumed if the fruit tastes bitter

Drink juice of Mother Mary's Pie Melon (Dosakaya in Telugu; Dosaka in Tamil) and counter the lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disorders. 

With sugar-laden diet and beverages posing a major risk factor for lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardio-vascular disorders, a group of scientists from Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad has studied the effect of Dosakaya (DK) (Cucumis melo var. chito) juice on sucrose-induced glucose intolerance and oxidative stress. While glucose intolerance leads to more than normal levels of glucose in the blood stream (also called pre-diabetes state), oxidative stress is caused by free radicals and associated with many diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and cancer.

 Dosakaya fruit is widely used in different culinary items in South India. It displays multiple anti-oxidant activities which help in preventing damage to tissues caused by free radicals.

During the study, the scientists orally administered prepared sugar solution to rats for a month. When the animals were given Dosakaya juice, it was found that the glucose intolerance inducing capacity of sucrose was significantly reduced. In addition, Dosakaya juice boosted the indigenous anti-oxidant defence system of the body by multiple mechanisms.

The results of the research work were published in Pharmacognosy Magazine in the October-December, 2015 issue. 

Lead author of the study and senior principal scientist at IICT, Dr. Ashok Kumar Tiwari, said “our literature as well as international literature over the years has shown that people who adhere to traditional dietary practices are least prone to develop modern-day lifestyle diseases”. Since the past 50 years, people around the world have been increasingly consuming processed calorie-rich and energy-dense foods and beverages.

He said the study looked at finding a traditional dietary method which would be beneficial in terms of health.

Another unique finding was that Dosakaya juice reduced sucrose feeding induced hyperlipidemia (excessive amounts of fats and fatty substances in blood), a major risk factor for heart diseases. It was also found that it reduced triglyceride levels in blood. “We are the first group to work on Dosakaya. Our highlight is its therapeutic effects against diabetes and cardio-vascular risk factors”, he added.

Dr. Tiwari cautioned against consuming juice when the fruit tastes bitter as it could be toxic. He said diabetics should consult their physicians before consuming as its cumulative effect might lead to hypoglycaemia.