Palatability of bitter melon and the effect of health information on consumption intentions: a pilot study

Abstract

Diabetes is a complex disease that can lead to many complications. In the US, diabetes morbidity and mortality are more prevalent among minorities, including Native Hawaiians. Current treatments focus on diet, exercise, and drug therapies. However, effectiveness of such therapies has often been poor. The complex disease pathophysiology, disease progression, and expense or ineffectiveness of medications can be discouraging to diabetics. Therefore, alternative therapies are becoming more sought after and researched for their potential effectiveness in diabetes treatment. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) has been effectively used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes and its complications. Hypoglycemic activity has been demonstrated in animal models, in vitro studies, and a few clinical trials. More recently, it has been investigated for its potential to improve blood lipid profiles. Bitter melon's active compounds are not entirely known and therefore future clinical trials require the use of whole bitter melon to determine safety and efficacy. However, subject compliance with consumption is of concern due to its bitter taste. Taste is regarded as the primary reason for individual food choice, but evidence suggests that health information can affect consumption. It is hypothesized that bitter melon preparations that mask bitterness will increase acceptability and consumption intentions and that providing bitter melon health information will increase consumption intentions. The objective of this study was to develop and determine the palatability of recipes containing bitter melon and to determine the effect of health information on future consumption intentions.