Can drinking Jamun-Karela Juice reverse diabetes? How to make it at home

Jamun (Indian blackberry) and karela (bitter gourd) are two traditional ingredients widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for managing blood sugar levels. When combined as a juice, they form a powerful drink believed to help control diabetes. Both are rich in bioactive compounds that target blood glucose regulation, but can they actually reverse diabetes?


How Jamun Helps in Diabetes Control
Jamun contains jamboline and jambosine, alkaloids that help regulate the conversion of starch into sugar and improve insulin activity. A 2010 study in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine highlighted the anti-diabetic potential of Jamun seeds in lowering blood glucose and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Its low glycemic index and natural astringent quality further support its traditional use in managing type 2 diabetes.


Bitter Gourd’s Blood Sugar Benefits
Karela is a proven natural hypoglycemic agent. It contains compounds like charantin, vicine, and polypeptide-p, which mimic insulin and help lower blood sugar levels. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology confirmed karela's effectiveness in reducing fasting blood glucose in type 2 diabetic patients. The juice of karela is often consumed to support insulin sensitivity and reduce glucose absorption in the intestines.



Can This Juice Reverse Diabetes?
While Jamun-Karela juice can significantly help manage blood sugar levels, there is no conclusive evidence that it can reverse diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. Reversal requires a comprehensive lifestyle change—diet, exercise, weight management, and sometimes medication. This juice can be a valuable addition to such a regimen but not a standalone cure. Studies support improvement in glycemic control, not complete reversal.


Clinical Support and Cautions
Clinical trials are ongoing, but available evidence supports the juice as a complementary therapy. A small 2018 study in Ayurveda Journal of Health showed reduced blood glucose and HbA1c levels after 3 months of daily Jamun-Karela juice intake. However, patients must be cautious. Overconsumption can lead to hypoglycemia, especially when combined with diabetic medications.


How to make this juice
To make Karela Jamun juice at home, wash and chop 2 medium-sized bitter gourds (karela), removing the seeds, and soak the pieces in salted water for 15 minutes to reduce bitterness. Wash and deseed about 10–12 fresh jamuns or use 2 tablespoons of jamun pulp or powder. Blend the karela and jamun with 1 to 1½ cups of water until smooth, then strain the juice using a fine sieve. Optionally, add a pinch of black salt and a few drops of lemon juice for taste. Drink fresh on an empty stomach in the morning, and store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours.