Cerasee Tea Benefits (AKA Bitter Melon Tea): 10 Epic Facts

This Jamaican gem is much more than a simple tea, it’s a natural remedy with a myriad of healthful advantages. Known for its distinctive bitter flavor, cerasee tea has been enjoyed for generations in Caribbean households for both its taste and its potential health benefits.

In the following sections, we’ll explore what cerasee tea is, how it’s made, and delve into the extensive list of cerasee tea benefits. Afterward, we’ll discuss the best ways to enjoy cerasee tea, and the potential side effects to consider.

So, get comfortable with your favorite cup of tea and prepare for an enlightening read-and-sip session about cerasee tea benefits!

What is Cerasee Tea and How is it Made?

Cerasee tea, also known as bitter melon tea, is a traditional Caribbean tea made from the leaves of the Momordica charantia plant, commonly known as the bitter melon plant. This plant is widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, and its fruit and leaves have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

The name “cerasee” comes from various Caribbean cultures, especially those of Jamaican descent, and it is a common term used in these regions to refer to the bitter melon plant. The bitter melon plant has many names worldwide due to its wide cultivation and usage, and “cerasee” is just one of them. Other names include bitter gourd, bitter squash, or balsam-pear.

If you’re interested in learning more about the various ways cerasee tea is prepared across different cultures, take a look at our complete guide on cerasee tea.

How to make Cerasee Tea

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare bitter melon tea using either dried slices or a tea bag:

1. Start by filling a pot or kettle with water and bring it to a boil.
2. If you’re using dried bitter melon slices, take about one to two tablespoons of the slices and put them in a tea infuser or a teapot. If you’re using a tea bag, simply place a bitter melon tea bag in your cup.
3. Once your water has boiled, if you’re using dried slices, pour the boiling water over the slices in the infuser or teapot. If you’re using a tea bag, pour the boiling water into the cup, making sure to submerge the tea bag completely.
4. Cover and let your tea steep. For dried slices, you’ll want to steep the tea for about 10-15 minutes; if you’re using a tea bag, let it steep for about 5 minutes.
5. After the tea has steeped, if you’re using dried slices, remove the infuser or strain the tea into a cup. If you’re using a tea bag, simply remove the tea bag from the cup.
6. Your bitter melon tea is now ready! It has a naturally strong and bitter flavor, but if desired, you can add a sweetener to balance out the bitterness.

It’s worth noting that cerasee tea does not contain caffeine. Its lack of caffeine makes it an excellent option for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake or looking for a relaxing drink to enjoy before bedtime.

Now, let’s take a look at the cerasee tea benefits!

List of Cerasee Tea Benefits

Let’s delve into the cerasee tea benefits for your health. Each of these benefits is backed by scientific evidence, offering more than just anecdotal support.

1. Antioxidant Activity

Antioxidants are substances that protect our cells from damage caused by harmful molecules known as free radicals. This damage, called oxidative stress, can lead to various diseases like heart disease and cancer. Cerasee tea benefits include the fact that this tea is packed with antioxidants, which help defend our bodies against this oxidative stress, thereby helping to prevent these associated diseases (Tan et al., 2014).

2. Anti-Diabetic Effects

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body can’t regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Cerasee tea has properties that can help lower blood glucose levels and improve how the body controls glucose, which is particularly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. This can help manage the disease and prevent complications (Tan et al., 2015).

3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or illness and can cause pain, redness, and swelling. However, chronic inflammation can lead to various diseases like arthritis and heart disease. Cerasee tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been used traditionally to treat diseases associated with inflammation. This means it can help reduce inflammation and alleviate associated symptoms (Bortolotti et al., 2019).

4. Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Cancer occurs when cells in the body start to grow out of control. Some components in cerasee tea have been found to stop cancer cells from growing, cause them to die (a process known as apoptosis), and boost the body’s immune defense against cancer. This means cerasee tea could potentially help prevent cancer and could be used as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment (Sur & Ray, 2020).

5. Wound Healing

Wounds, such as cuts or burns, are injuries that break the skin or other body tissues. Cerasee tea benefits include the stimulation of the production of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a substance that promotes tissue regeneration. This means that it could potentially enhance the process of wound healing, leading to faster recovery from wounds (Tan et al., 2015).

6. Nutritional Benefits

Cerasee tea is rich in important nutrients such as vitamins (C, A, E, B1, B2, B3, B9) and minerals (potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron). These nutrients are essential for maintaining overall health and supporting various bodily functions. For example, Vitamin C is known to boost immunity, while iron is crucial for the production of healthy red blood cells (Sur & Ray, 2020).

7. Anti-Obesity Effects

Cerasee tea can aid in weight management by reducing obesity and fat accumulation. Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat, which increases the risk of various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Therefore, cerasee tea benefits include anti-obesity effects , which can be valuable in promoting a healthier weight and preventing these associated health risks (Zhu et al., 2022).

8. Liver Health

The liver is a vital organ that performs many critical functions in the body, such as detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of chemicals necessary for digestion. Cerasee tea helps protect this essential organ from damage, thus promoting better liver health (Tan et al., 2015).

9. Anti-Microbial Activity

Microbial infections are diseases caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. One of the cerasee tea benefits is that it has been used traditionally to treat these infections due to its antimicrobial properties. This means it can help fight against these harmful pathogens, providing a natural line of defense against various infections (Dwijayanti et al., 2019).

10. Cardiovascular Health

The term “cardiovascular” relates to the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular health refers to the health of this system that circulates blood throughout our bodies. Cerasee tea can help improve cardiovascular health by positively affecting blood cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels can lead to the build-up of plaque in the arteries, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. By helping to reduce cholesterol levels, cerasee tea can contribute to healthier heart function and improved cardiovascular health (Islam et al., 2011).

The cerasee tea benefits make it a worthy addition to any diet. And if you love learning about the health benefits of various teas, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive article on the ”health benefits of drinking tea”.

What’s the Best Way to Take Cerasee Tea?

Cerasee tea benefits can be enjoyed at any time of the day, either hot or cold, depending on your preference. Some people enjoy it with a meal, while others prefer to drink it on an empty stomach for optimal absorption of its health benefits. Cerasee tea pairs well with honey, lemon, or ginger, and it’s a great addition to soups and stews.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations of Cerasee Tea

While cerasee tea has many health benefits, it’s important to consume it in moderation. Overconsumption can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, or even irregular heart rhythm. Pregnant women should avoid cerasee tea as it may induce menstruation. Always make sure to source your cerasee tea from reputable suppliers to ensure its quality and safety.

Conclusion on the cerasee tea benefits

Cerasee tea boasts a plethora of health benefits, from potent antioxidant activity and anti-diabetic effects to potential cancer prevention, and more. With such a broad range of health benefits, cerasee tea certainly deserves its place in your tea collection.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to explore the Jamaican cerasee tea benefits for yourself. Once you’ve had a chance to try it, share your experience with us!

And don’t forget to check out our review post about the best cerasee tea options available in the market to help you find the best product to suit your needs. Happy tea-drinking!

References

• Bortolotti, M., Mercatelli, D., Polito, L. (2019). Momordica Charantia, a Nutraceutical Approach For Inflammatory Related Diseases. Frontiers in Pharmacology, (10). Link Here
• Dwijayanti, D., Okuyama, T., Okumura, T., Ikeya, Y., Nishizawa, M. (2019). The Anti-inflammatory Effects Of Indonesian and Japanese Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia L.) Fruit Extracts On Interleukin-1β-treated Hepatocytes. Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 1(9), 16. Link Here
• Islam, M., Jalaluddin, M., Hettiarachchy, N. (2011). Bio-active Compounds Of Bitter Melon Genotypes (Momordica Charantia L.) In Relation To Their Physiological Functions. Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 2(1), 61. Link Here
• Sur, S. and Ray, R. (2020). Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia), a Nutraceutical Approach For Cancer Prevention And Therapy. Cancers, 8(12), 2064. Link Here
• Tan, S., Kha, T., Parks, S., Roach, P. (2015). Bitter Melon (momordica Charantial.) Bioactive Composition and Health Benefits: A Review. Food Reviews International, 2(32), 181-202. Link Here
• Tan, S., Vuong, Q., Stathopoulos, C., Parks, S., Roach, P. (2014). Optimized Aqueous Extraction Of Saponins From Bitter Melon For Production Of a Saponin-enriched Bitter Melon Powder. Journal of Food Science, 7(79), E1372-E1381. Link Here
• Zhu, Y., Bai, J., Qian, X., Yang, X., Zhou, X., Zhao, Y., … & Xiao, X. (2022). Effect Of Superfine Grinding On Physical Properties, Bioaccessibility, and Anti‐obesity Activities Of Bitter Melon Powders. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 11(102), 4473-4483. Link Here