How Healthy Are Cucumbers Really?

Is the Trendy Fruit Really as Healthy as They Seem?

Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash

Cucumbers have always been trendy. Posh spas offer cucumbers to rest over your eyes to reduce puffiness. Those same spas may also offer water infused with fresh cucumber.

Outside of relaxation, cucumbers are just as good! It may seem like they’re not very healthy since they’re mostly just water.

Don’t be fooled! There are a surprising number of nutritional benefits to eating cucumber.

Increases Your Hydration

As previously stated, cucumbers are mostly water—96% according to Niamh Hennessy, the lead dietician at Cromwell Hospital. That's more water content than any other food.

Increased hydration helps you avoid headaches, joint pain, and kidney function. It regulates your body temperature, aids in weight loss, and could even help memory and cognition. Being hydrated is definitely important!

Add slices of cucumber to a salad or sandwich to avoid dehydration. You can also add a few slices to a glass of water along with lemon to enhance the taste.

Full of Vitamins & Minerals

You know the importance of getting vitamins in your diet. Luckily, cucumbers have plenty of vitamins A, C, and K to spare. These vitamins support the immune system and allow energy production in your body. They also make your bones stronger.

Cucumbers also contain plenty of minerals. Top among them are magnesium and potassium. Magnesium aids in healthy bone development, boosts your metabolism, and helps control blood sugar levels. Potassium regulates your heartbeat and ensures that your muscles and nerves are operating at the optimal level.

Plus, Antioxidants

Like any other fresh produce, cucumbers boast a strong antioxidant profile. Antioxidants are crucial since they help our cells operate the way they should. They also protect our bodies from free radicals, which can damage cells and DNA. Without antioxidants, we wouldn’t function the way it needs to for us to grow and thrive.

A 2015 study looked at the antioxidant power of cucumbers. 30 older adults were given cucumber powder, and at the end of a month, they were shown to have stronger internal functioning. It just goes to show that cucumbers can make a world of difference to our health and wellness!

Low in Calories

Cucumbers are a good snack because they contain no carbs or fats. They are also low in calories. According to Nutrition IX, one cucumber contains about 30 calories.

Studies show that foods with low calories but high water content are associated with a significant decrease in body weight. Cucumbers fit the bill!

Do you need a snack for a summer barbecue? Chop up a cucumber and dip the pieces in hummus or low-fat ranch and blue cheese dressing. It will taste refreshingly cool, and you can pick at it whenever you want without feeling guilty.

Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

Because cucumbers are low in calories, sugar, and carbs, they’re an ideal snack for those with diabetes. Cucumbers score low on the glycemic index, which is a system used to rank foods on how quickly they cause blood sugar levels to rise.

Eating cucumbers can help control your blood sugar levels. The antioxidants found in cucumbers can even slow the progression of diabetes and reduce any other complications like heart disease, stroke, and nerve and kidney damage.

May Even Protect Against Diseases

There’s a lot to love about cucumbers. These tiny green fruits may even help save your life!

Cucumbers contain a high amount of Cucurbitacin B (CuB). This plant compound is gaining a lot of buzz in the healthcare world for its effect on cancer cells.

Studies published in scholarly journals like Pharmaceutical Research and The International Journal of Health Science detail the promising potential of using CuB in cancer therapy.

Overall, cucumbers may seem bland and insignificant. They don’t get the same amount of hype as other fruits like apples, bananas, and berries. However, it’s time for them to get more credit!

Cucumbers have many of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs. They increase your fluid intake, support gut health with their fiber content, control blood sugar, and even ward off diseases. On top of all that, they keep you slim and trim since they’re low in calories.

Cheers to cucumbers!

What’s your favorite cucumber recipe? Reach out in the comments!

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