Bitter Melon vs Cucumber: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Bitter melon has 19 calories and 0.8 g of protein, while cucumber has 15 calories and 0.7 g of protein. Bitter melon is higher in calories and protein.

Bitter melon and cucumber are both popular in various cuisines and are known for their health benefits. This comparison highlights their nutritional differences per 100 grams.

What Is the Difference Between Bitter Melon and Cucumber?

Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, is a tropical vine that produces a unique, bitter fruit. It is often used in cooking and traditional medicine. Cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, known for its crisp texture and refreshing taste. It is commonly eaten raw in salads or pickled.

Bitter Melon vs Cucumber: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of bitter melon and cucumber.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Bitter melon (cooked)	Cucumber (raw, with peel)
Calories	19 kcal	15 kcal
Protein	0.8 g	0.7 g
Carbs	4.3 g	3.6 g
Sugar	1.9 g	1.7 g
Fat	0.2 g	0.1 g
Fiber	2 g	0.5 g
Sodium	6 mg	2 mg

Which Is Better, Bitter Melon or Cucumber?

For weight loss: Cucumber has fewer calories at 15 compared to bitter melon's 19, making it a slightly better option for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Bitter melon contains more protein at 0.8 g compared to cucumber's 0.7 g, which may be beneficial for muscle maintenance.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Bitter melon has 4.3 g of carbs and 1.9 g of sugar, while cucumber has 3.6 g of carbs and 1.7 g of sugar, making cucumber lower in both.

How to Track Bitter melon and Cucumber Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros, especially with vegetables that can vary in water content and density. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Bitter melon has 0.8 g of protein, while cucumber has 0.7 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Cucumber has 15 calories, while bitter melon has 19 calories.

What is the sugar content in bitter melon?

Bitter melon contains 1.9 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the fiber content in cucumber?

Cucumber contains 0.5 g of fiber per 100 g.

How much sodium is in bitter melon?

Bitter melon contains 6 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate values for cucumber?

Cucumber has 3.6 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Bitter melon has 19 calories per 100 g.
• Cucumber has 15 calories per 100 g.
• Bitter melon contains 0.8 g of protein.
• Cucumber contains 0.7 g of protein.
• Bitter melon has 4.3 g of carbohydrates.
• Cucumber has 3.6 g of carbohydrates.