Parade

Cucumbers Are Having a Moment—Here’s What Actually Happens to Your Body When You Eat Them Every Day

By Jessica Sager,

2 hours ago

Cucumbers are having a serious moment on TikTok, largely thanks to "Cucumber Guy" Logan Maffitt and his viral cucumber salad —to the point where Iceland specifically is running into shortages of the fruit. (And yes, cucumber is botanically considered a fruit — technically a berry , believe it or not, though in culinary terms we treat it like a veggie). Unlike a lot of health trends on the platform, experts agree that this one is actually a good thing.

"Cucumbers can be a superfood when incorporated properly into the diet," Reema Kanda, RD , says. "Between the added hydration, to the vitamins like magnesium and potassium, overall this trend is a healthy one."

Can you have too much of a good thing, though? We checked with experts to see what happens to your body if you eat cucumbers every day.

Is It Safe and Healthy To Eat Cucumbers Every Day?

For the most part, yes! "Cucumbers make a great addition to any diet," Kim Shapira, MS, RD , says. "They are low in calories and high in water."

Other registered dietitians we spoke with agree, with almost all of them espousing cucumbers as a great option for summer or hot climates since it can keep you hydrated better than some other fruit or vegetable options.

What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Eating Cucumbers Every Day?

There's a lot of good stuff in cucumbers, according to Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD . Some of those beneficial things include:

Water: "Cucumbers are 95% water, so they are a great way to stay hydrated."
Vitamin K: "Vitamin K is important for bone health and blood clotting."
Antioxidants: "Cucumbers are rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids and tannins, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation."
Fiber: "Cucumbers are high in fiber, particularly if you keep the skin on. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion and supports a healthy weight."

Shapira and Dr. Mohr also note that cucumbers are rich in potassium, magnesium and beta-carotene.

Are There Any Downsides To Eating Cucumber Every Day?

"For most people, eating cucumbers regularly is perfectly safe," Dr. Mohr says. "Some might experience mild digestive discomfort if they are sensitive to cucurbitacin, a compound in cucumbers that can cause bitterness [in the food], though this is very rare. If you notice any issues, it's good to adjust how often you eat cucumbers. It's also wise to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to make sure you get a variety of nutrients in your diet."

One of the things many people like most about cucumbers is how low in calories they are, but that can also be a bad thing if your diet isn't balanced overall. "Cucumbers are very low in calories, so it’s important to add them to a balanced meal or to include a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need," Shapira advises. "I would eat organic when possible."

Related: The Best Cucumber Recipes

Sherie Nelson, MBA, RDN , adds, "While cucumbers are healthy, they are not very nutrient-dense. Relying solely on cucumbers for nutrition might lead to deficiencies if not accompanied by other nutrient-rich foods."

Like Shapira, Nelson also advised that organic cucumbers may be a better bet than conventionally grown cucumbers due to pesticide residue on the skin (which is where a lot of the nutrients are). If organic produce is a little too pricey, just make sure to wash your produce thoroughly before preparing, serving or eating.

What Are the Best and Healthiest Ways To Eat Cucumber?

While Shapira likes eating cucumbers as they are or cubing them into a salad, Dr. Mohr offers up some more ideas.

Cucumber salad: "Make a refreshing salad by slicing cucumbers and combining them with cherry tomatoes, red onions, olive oil, vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper."
Cucumber-infused water: "Add cucumber slices to a pitcher of water with some lemon and mint."
Hummus dip: "Slice cucumbers into sticks for dipping into hummus for a healthy snack that pairs protein with veggies."
Greek yogurt tzatziki: "Make a tasty dip or sauce by mixing grated cucumber with Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice and dill, perfect over grilled meats."

Nelson recommends:

Smoothies: "Blend cucumbers into a smoothie for a subtle flavor and added health benefits."
Cucumber noodles: "Use a spiralizer to create cucumber noodles as a low-carb alternative to pasta, paired with a light dressing or sauce."
Cucumber crackers: "Use cucumber slices as a low-carb alternative to crackers. Pair them with cheese and lean meats for a healthy snack."
Cucumber salsa: "Cucumbers can be added to non-traditional salsa combinations, like mango and mint or apple and basil."

Katie Sanger, MS, MA, RDN, LDN recommends DIY pickles. "Make your own pickles by marinating cucumber slices in a mixture of vinegar, water, salt and seasonings," she suggests. "You can customize the flavor with garlic, dill or other herbs and spices."

Up Next:

Sources

Expand All

Read in NewsBreak

Comments / 0

Add a Comment

Comments / 0

Community Policy