Why cucumbers are a great healthy snack (2024)

Table of Contents
TJP Documentaries Topics : FAQs

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)

Jakarta ● Fri, June 7, 2019 2019-06-07 06:06 1654 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873b78142 1 Health cucumber,snacks,health,healthy-food,vitamin,stress,weight-loss,brain,kidney,antioxidant,digestion Free

The cucumber is often hailed as a great source of hydration due to its high water content of 95 percent. However, its watery flesh also contains other nutrients, such as vitamin B, C and K, as well as copper, potassium and manganese.

Unless you're a cat, the cucumber is a healthy, alternative snack. Here's why: as compiled by Antara:

1. Stress-relieving

Apparently, the phrase "cool as a cucumber" exists for a reason. The fruit (that’s right, the cucumber is not a vegetable) is rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin B complex, which can relax your nervous system. In short, cucumbers can help relieve panic attacks and stress-induced anxiety.

2. Helps weight-loss

With its high water content, cucumbers can be a satiating snack between meals. While there is no such thing as a perfect food for weight-loss, cucumbers are a much better option than some fruits that are high in sugar or calories, such as mangoes and bananas, respectively.

3. Good for your brain

Cucumbers contain flavonoids, which are an anti-inflammatory compound commonly found in plants. Flavonoids can help boost the connectivity between neurons. In the long run, flavonoids are also great at protecting nerve cells from age-related damage.

Read also: Five 'health foods' that are not as healthy as you think

4. Improves digestion

Aside from its water content, the cucumber is also rich in fiber and has an alkaline property that makes it a natural remedy for stomach ulcers. Combined, this makes cucumbers great for your digestive system, as they reduce acid reflux and constipation.

5. Good for your heart

The potassium in cucumbers helps regulate blood pressure, as in the body, potassium takes part in regulating cellular functions. Eating cucumbers can help muscle contractions and cardiac functions because of their high level of potassium. The fiber in cucumbers also helps prevent arterial blockages as it reduces cholesterol build-up in the arteries.

6. Cleans your kidney

Consuming cucumbers regularly can help lower uric acid levels in your body by helping your kidneys flush out the compounds out of your blood. Cucumbers can also help dissolve small kidney stones, as well as get rid of toxins in your body.

7. Antioxidant

Cucumbers are rich in antioxidants, which reduce the effects of free radicals in your body, which makes it a healthy food that can help prevent cancer. (dev/kes)

As an expert in nutrition and health with a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of various foods, including fruits and vegetables, I can confidently elaborate on the nutritional value and health advantages associated with cucumbers, as mentioned in The Jakarta Post article from June 7, 2019.

The article rightly highlights several health benefits of cucumbers, showcasing them as a valuable addition to a healthy diet. Here's an in-depth analysis of the concepts covered in the article:

  1. Hydration and Nutrient Content: Cucumbers are composed of about 95% water, making them an excellent hydrating food choice. Besides water, they contain essential nutrients like vitamins B, C, and K, as well as minerals such as copper, potassium, and manganese.

  2. Stress Relief: Vitamin B complex in cucumbers plays a role in relaxing the nervous system, potentially aiding in reducing stress and anxiety. This nutrient profile contributes to the phrase "cool as a cucumber."

  3. Weight Loss: With their high water content and low calorie count, cucumbers can serve as a satisfying, low-calorie snack between meals. While no single food guarantees weight loss, cucumbers can be a part of a weight-conscious diet due to their low energy density.

  4. Brain Health: Flavonoids present in cucumbers possess anti-inflammatory properties that can enhance neuronal connectivity and protect nerve cells from age-related damage.

  5. Digestive Health: Cucumbers are rich in fiber and have alkaline properties that benefit the digestive system. The fiber aids in reducing acid reflux and preventing constipation, while the alkaline nature may offer relief for stomach ulcers.

  6. Cardiovascular Benefits: Potassium in cucumbers contributes to regulating blood pressure and muscle function. Additionally, cucumber fiber can assist in reducing cholesterol buildup, thus potentially preventing arterial blockages.

  7. Kidney Health and Antioxidant Properties: Cucumbers help in reducing uric acid levels, supporting kidney function by eliminating toxins and potentially aiding in dissolving small kidney stones. They're also rich in antioxidants, which combat free radicals and may contribute to cancer prevention.

Cucumbers stand out not just for their hydration properties but also for their multifaceted contributions to overall health. Incorporating cucumbers into one's diet can offer a range of health benefits, from hydration and weight management to supporting heart and brain health, and aiding in digestion and kidney function.

The information provided in The Jakarta Post aligns with established nutritional science, emphasizing the importance of including diverse fruits and vegetables, like cucumbers, in a balanced and healthy diet.

Why cucumbers are a great healthy snack (2024)

FAQs

Why are cucumbers a healthy snack? ›

All that water in cucumbers can help keep you hydrated. Plus, the fiber boost they give you helps you stay regular and avoid constipation. The vitamin K helps blood clot and keep your bones healthy. Vitamin A has many jobs, like helping with vision, the immune system, and reproduction.

What are 5 benefits of a cucumber? ›

Cucumber is a nutritious fruit with a high water content. Eating cucumber may help lower blood sugar, prevent constipation, and support weight loss. To maximize cucumber's health benefits, eat the peel, too. Though commonly thought to be a vegetable, cucumber is a fruit.

Is it OK to eat cucumber everyday? ›

Cucumber contains phosphorus which is a key nutrient for hormonal balance in the body. Cucumbers contain around 4% of the phosphorus suggested for daily intake for adults. To reap its maximum benefit, add it to your daily diet and stay healthy.

Why do I feel good after eating cucumber? ›

Cucumbers support healthy digestion.

Their water content combined with their fiber content make cucumbers a healthy food to eat to support digestion. Cucumbers are especially high in soluble fiber, which promotes regularity and healthy metabolism while also working to reduce cholesterol levels.

What not to eat with cucumber? ›

People often eat both cucumber and radish mixed in salad. However, both can react with each other. Cucumber contains ascorbate, which acts to absorb vitamin C. In such a situation, when you eat radish with it, it creates obstruction in this process, which can lead to a variety of health concerns.

Can cucumbers reduce belly fat? ›

While there are no magic vegetable juices that will instantly burn belly fat, certain vegetable juices can be a part of a healthy diet that supports weight loss and a reduction in belly fat. Cucumbers are low in calories and high in water content, making them a great choice for hydration and weight loss.

Should you peel cucumbers? ›

"Peeling of the skin may lead to loss of most of its nutrients and health benefits. So to maximise their nutritional benefits they should be consumed unpeeled." says Sandhya. If you are not removing the peel, wash the cucumber thoroughly with running water.

What is the best time to eat cucumber? ›

Cucumber can be consumed at any time of the day or night as it helps to balance all the three doshas and helps to maintain the water content of the body. If you have weak or poor digestion then you must avoid taking at night because Cucumber seeds are heavy to digest.

Are cucumbers a superfood? ›

Cucumber: A Low-Calorie Superfood

Cucumbers, often dismissed as mere salad fillers, hold remarkable potential for aiding weight loss and promoting overall well-being. Comprising mostly water (around 96 per cent) and minimal calories, they are an excellent addition to any weight management regimen.

Can I drink water after eating cucumber? ›

Water makes up 95% of a cucumber's weight. Not just cucumber, experts advise avoiding drinking water after consuming any fruit or vegetable that is high in water, such as melons, pineapple, or strawberries. The majority of the advantages of consuming these water-rich fruits and vegetables could be reversed as a result.

What is the 7 days cucumber diet? ›

The cucumber diet requires you to eat cucumbers at every meal. Foods that are allowed include: Vegetables: Tomatoes, spinach, celery, and other vegetables in a small amount. Protein: Chicken, lean beef, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage, and cheddar cheese.

Why should you crush a cucumber before you eat it? ›

By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. When you crush the cells in a vegetable, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them, certain compounds get mixed together, which can result in a significantly different flavor.

Why eat cucumber before bed? ›

From promoting better sleep to supporting heart health and aiding in weight management, cucumbers are a fantastic addition to your evening routine. So, next time you feel hungry before bedtime, consider reaching for a delicious and nutritious cucumber snack.

Why should we not eat cucumber empty stomach? ›

Cucumber and other green vegetables: Green vegetables and cucumber are rich in amino acids. If consumed on an empty stomach it may very well lead to pain and bitterness in the upper abdomen. Tomato: Tomato is a fruit containing high levels of tannin.

Do cucumbers have any nutritional benefits? ›

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber.

What happens when you eat cucumber first thing in the morning? ›

Eating cucumbers in the morning and evening can help you stay hydrated and prevent dehydration. Digestion: Cucumbers are rich in fiber, which can help promote digestion and prevent constipation. Eating cucumbers in the morning and evening can aid in digestion and promote bowel regularity.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Clemencia Bogisich Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5635

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Clemencia Bogisich Ret

Birthday: 2001-07-17

Address: Suite 794 53887 Geri Spring, West Cristentown, KY 54855

Phone: +5934435460663

Job: Central Hospitality Director

Hobby: Yoga, Electronics, Rafting, Lockpicking, Inline skating, Puzzles, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.