As soon as you discover that in addition to being tasty, cucumbers are particularly nutritious and useful for the body, then believe us, you will want to run and buy them like never before.
Cucumbers are wonderful green vegetables that can be found in almost any summer salad. Whether they’re the star of a salad, dipped in creamy hummus, or grated to make the traditional and beloved tzatziki, it’s hard to resist the urge to add the crunchy, refreshing cucumber to any salad.
But this “vegetable,” which is actually a fruit, offers more than just a delicious, mild flavor and textural element to dishes: cucumbers are also packed with healthy nutrients.
A global staple for over 3,000 years, cucumbers (scientific name: Cucumis sativus) originated in India and quickly grew in popularity, first in the Asian continent and then around the world. Cucumbers belong to the Cucurbitaceae family along with squash, watermelon, and squash, so they are technically a fruit. With over 100 varieties available, you’ll never tire of enjoying these cucumbers and their many health benefits.
The health benefits of cucumber
1. Cucumbers are extremely hydrating
If you know any of the health effects of cucumbers, you might know that they are full of water. “Cucumbers are high in water, which helps keep you hydrated,” says clinical dietitian Dana Melink, RD. In fact, they are at least 95%, making them one of the most hydrating foods you can eat. Since our bodies are also made up mostly of water, hydration is essential for the proper functioning of all of our organ systems, especially our kidneys. This fruit also helps us maintain healthy blood pressure and keeps our detox systems in top working order.
2. Cucumbers are rich in vitamin K
With each serving of cucumbers, you will be one step closer to meeting your daily vitamin K requirements. Vitamin K primarily promotes healthy blood clotting throughout the body. It is also important for healthy bone development as a vital precursor to the protein osteocalcin, which is needed to build bone tissue.
3. Cucumbers can help reduce inflammation
“Cucumbers are also full of antioxidants,” says Melink. Like many other plant foods, cucumbers are full of plant compounds or polyphenols, especially lignans and cucurbitacins. These plant compounds fight inflammation throughout the body, as well as free radicals, which can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. An article published in the International Journal of Health Sciences revealed that cucurbitacins are effective not only in killing cancer cells, but also in preventing them from spreading in the body.
4. Cucumbers promote healthy digestion
Their water content combined with their fiber content make cucumber a healthy food to aid digestion. Cucumbers are particularly high in soluble fiber, which promotes regularity and a healthy metabolism, while helping to lower cholesterol levels. Water is vital for good digestion as it helps the body break down and absorb nutrients. It also helps prevent constipation and bloating.
5. Cucumbers Offer Vitamin C and Potassium
Cucumbers contain moderate, but still notable, amounts of vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C, which is also an antioxidant, helps strengthen the immune system. Potassium helps boost the moisturizing powers of cucumbers as this mineral is an electrolyte that maintains fluid balance throughout the body.
6. Cucumbers can help regulate blood sugar
Cucumbers may also help regulate blood sugar and prevent or maintain diabetes. A review published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine found that cucumber consumption is associated with better blood sugar control, having antidiabetic effects. It should also be noted that an animal study found that cucumbers protect against the inflammatory side effects of diabetes by reducing oxidative stress throughout the body.
Common types of cucumbers:
As mentioned earlier, there are so many different types of cucumbers to choose from or even grow in your garden this summer.
English cucumbers (or greenhouse cucumbers): The skin of these long, dark green cucumbers is thin and meant to be eaten (after washing).
Japanese cucumbers: These narrow, dark green cucumbers have a bumpy skin that’s also thin enough to eat without peeling.
Persian cucumbers: This type is shorter and thicker than the English cucumber, but looks very similar and still delivers the crunch factor. You don’t have to peel them and you can find them easily.
Armenian cucumbers: Also called snake cucumbers, Armenian cucumbers are beautifully striped with dark green and light green grooved lines. They are the perfect cucumber for snacking or pickling.
Lemon Cucumbers: You can only find this type of cucumber in street markets and if you find it, you should definitely try it. Lemon cucumbers get their name from their size and shape reminiscent of the sour fruit, although lighter in color. This is about the only similarity you can expect between the two fruits, as these cucumbers offer a sweet and delicate flavor.
However, many people believe that all produce should be washed, especially when they observe supermarket workers spraying vegetables. In grocery stores, fruits and vegetables are sprayed daily to keep them fresh and edible. Generally, plain water is sprayed on the produce to keep it moist, which in turn keeps it marketable.
Many believe that the reason vegetables are sprayed in the grocery store is to make them attractive to buy, not for health reasons. Interestingly, since products are often priced by weight, when water clings to products it makes them heavier and stores make more money.
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