Drink Jamu Pahitan Help Prevent Excessive Carbohydrate Consumption

JAKARTA - Controlling carbohydrate intake during celebratory moments such as Eid al-Adha is often a challenge in itself. One of the natural solutions that can help control excess carbohydrate consumption is by utilizing bitter herbs.

Traditional ingredients originating from plants such as brotowali and sambiloto are known to help lower appetite for high-carb foods.

Dr. (Cand.) dr. Ingrid Tania, M.Si, General Chairperson of the Indonesian Traditional Medicine and Herbal Medicine Development Doctors Association (PDPOTJI), explained that bitter herbs can be a healthy alternative when the diet changes drastically, especially during religious celebrations.

"During Lebaran Hajj, for example, ketupat consumption is quite high. Well, bitter herbs can help balance the intake," he explained as quoted by ANTARA.

According to Inggrid, bitter herbs work by helping lower blood sugar levels in the body, especially after consuming high-carbohydrate foods or sweet foods. With routine consumption one to two times a day, these herbs can be combined with other herbal ingredients, adapted to personal needs and external factors such as age, occupation, or residential environment.

"The most practical thing is that the herbal medicine is being peddled every day. It can be consumed by various ages on a regular basis," he added.

In addition to bitter herbs, a number of other traditional ingredients are also useful for maintaining body fitness. For example, kencur rice to add energy, acid turmeric which functions as natural anti-aging with the benefits of maintaining heart and blood vessel health, as well as auction or camomil flower that helps lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

Not only herbal medicine, Inggrid also recommends consuming guava as a natural balancing of sugar levels and cholesterol. This fruit is also good for lowering blood pressure and supporting the digestive system, especially if consumed with high-fiber foods.

In addition to the fruit, guava leaves also have benefits as antimicrobials that can fight infection with the digestive tract and help increase platelets, especially for people with dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Inggrid emphasized that herbal drinks such as herbal medicine should be made from fresh and natural ingredients to make it safer to consume. He also reminded to be careful about herbal supplements with high extract concentrations, because their use needs to be adjusted to their respective body conditions.