He was 25 and perfectly

A 25-year-old man in China developed acute kidney failure and shock after eating just two bites of an unusually bitter bottle gourd, prompting doctors to warn the public about a little-known natural toxin found in certain members of the gourd family.

Health experts say that if a normally non-bitter gourd tastes bitter, stop eating it immediately and throw it away.

According to Chinese media, the man, identified only by the pseudonym “Xiaoyu,” bought three bottle gourds from a local market.

He cooked and ate the first two without any problems.

However, when preparing the third gourd a few days later, he immediately noticed that the first bite tasted unusually bitter. After taking only two bites, he stopped eating.

Within a short time, he developed:

He drove himself to the hospital, where he received initial treatment and was allowed to return home.

While driving home, Xiaoyu reportedly lost consciousness twice, causing his vehicle to crash into a roadside barrier.

Later that night, he fainted again and was rushed back to the hospital by his family.

Doctors found that he was suffering from:

He required emergency treatment to stabilize his condition.

Doctors determined that the bitter bottle gourd contained cucurbitacins—naturally occurring compounds found in plants of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae).

Normally, bottle gourds are mild in flavor and safe to eat.

However, under certain growing conditions—such as environmental stress, cross-pollination with wild gourds, or genetic factors—some gourds can accumulate unusually high levels of cucurbitacins, making them intensely bitter.

These compounds are heat-stable, meaning they are not destroyed by cooking.

Doctors warn that poisoning may begin within a few hours after eating a bitter gourd and can include:

In severe cases, dehydration and circulatory collapse may lead to acute kidney injury, requiring emergency medical care.

Doctors emphasize that natural bitterness is normal in bitter melon, but not in many other gourds.

If these vegetables develop an unusual bitter taste, they should be discarded immediately:

Bottle gourd should have a mild flavor. If it tastes bitter, it may contain dangerously high levels of cucurbitacins.

These include vegetables such as:

If any of these vegetables taste unusually bitter, do not continue eating them.

Most gourds sold in stores are perfectly safe to eat.

However, an unusually bitter taste is a warning sign that should never be ignored. Cucurbitacin poisoning is rare but can be serious, leading to severe gastrointestinal illness and, in rare cases, shock or acute kidney injury.

If you experience severe vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or fainting after eating a bitter-tasting gourd, seek medical attention immediately.