Bitter melon, known for its low calorie content also offers a number of health benefits. The number of calories in bitter melon varies based on its method of preparation. It is considered healthy in each of its forms. Though it does not taste that great many people consume it because of the medicinal qualities it has. It is rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants and various minerals and vitamins.
100 grams of raw bitter melon offers 17 calories along with the various essential micro nutrients it has. One cup of raw bitter melons weighing around 124 grams contains 25 calories. The carbohydrate content in an equal quantity of bitter melon is 5 grams and every gram of carbohydrate contains 3.75 calories; thus 18.75 calories in one cup of raw melon are obtained from carbohydrates. 4 of these calories come from proteins and the remaining from fats.
One cup of bitter melon cooked with fat contains 57.2 calories out of which 35.9 calories are obtained from fats. The total fat content in it is 4 grams consisting of 0.74 grams saturated fat content, 1.1 gram of polyunsaturated fat content and 1.9 gram of monounsaturated fat content. The total potassium and sodium content in an equal quantity of raw bitter melon is 396.4 mg and 322.1 mg respectively. The total carbohydrate content in it is 5.4 grams, dietary fiber content is 2.5 grams and protein content in it is 1.1 gram.
Bitter melon is good source of vitamin C and also contains some amount of vitamin A, B vitamins and vitamin E. It also contains essential minerals including iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.
Bitter melon is also consumed in its juiced form. The calorie content as well as other nutritional value in its juiced form is different from its other forms. Adding salt or sugar to this juice increases its calorie content to some extent.
