Which compound in bitter melon is sometimes referred to as vegetable insulin due to its structural similarity to human insulin?
Polypeptide-p
Polypeptide-p is the specific compound found within bitter melon that garners significant attention for its role in blood sugar management. The text explicitly notes that this polypeptide is sometimes termed 'vegetable insulin' because its molecular structure bears a resemblance to actual human insulin. This association highlights its potential mechanism in influencing glucose levels. While charantin and vicine are also mentioned as compounds believed to exert glucose-lowering effects, polypeptide-p is uniquely identified by this nickname related to human insulin structure. Phenolic compounds, conversely, are categorized under the umbrella of antioxidants and do not share this specific designation related to insulin mimicry.

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Heath Benefits of Bitter Melon and Other Cultural Foods - YouTube