All the side effects of eating
this water-rich food.
Cucumbers are our favorite non-vegetable vegetables used in
salads, crudites platters, and pickle bases. (Cucumbers are fruits, according
to botanical categorization.) And even more technically speaking, they're
berries!)
Despite being a fan favorite, Cucumbers are frequently overlooked
when it comes to superfoods. While some fruits and veggies are teeming with
antioxidants, bioactive compounds, and micro and macronutrients abound,
cucumbers are, to put it mildly, relatively dull. That isn't to say that eating
them won't help you stay healthy. Some of the utterly unexpected side effects
of eating this piece of produce may surprise you. Continue reading to learn
more about the health benefits of cucumbers.
You'll get hydrated.
According to USDA data, cucumbers are 95 percent water, with 114
grams per 120 grams of solid cucumber. Cucumbers are also a good source of two
electrolytes: potassium and magnesium, with one cup providing 4% of your daily
value for each of the electrolytes. Cucumbers can be eaten alone to stay
hydrated or with yogurt dip for a cooling, protein-rich bite.
You'll get a solid dose of vitamin K.
According to the National Institutes of Health, this water-rich
vegetable is a "good" source of vitamin K. This fat-soluble vitamin
aids in protein synthesis, blood clotting, and bone growth. With nearly 20
micrograms per serving, one cup of cucumber provides 17 percent of the
nutrient's daily value. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and
broccoli, in addition to cucumbers, are good sources of vitamin K.
They may help you lose weight.
Cucumbers are low-calorie vegetables available, containing only 18
calories per cup. Cucumber has a low-calorie count and a high water content, so
you can eat a lot of it while eating a few calories and still feeling full,
suitable for weight control. Cucumbers are a favorite in many of our healthy
snack recipes because of this.
You may reduce your risk of prostate cancer.
According to preliminary research, cucumbers are high in fisetin,
a dietary flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and
cardio protective properties. An Antioxidants & Redox Signaling review
found that fisetin has anticancer mechanisms and may help slow prostate cancer
progression, though more research is needed.
You'll support eye health.
Lutein and zeaxanthin, both antioxidant and bioactive carotenoids, are plant compounds that promote eye health. According to a review published in the European Journal of Nutrition, lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids that accumulate in the eye and play significant roles in the visual system. Getting enough of these nutrients is essential for eye health and can help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although there is no current suggestion for these nutrients, the average American adult consumes 1 to 2 milligrams of lutein per day. Leafy greens are the best sources of these nutrients, but cucumbers can also be used. Seventy micrograms of the two carotenoids are found in a cucumber (with the peel! ), or about 7% of your daily intake.