Cancer prevention According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Cancer Research, the dietary flavonoid fisetin found in cucumbers may be able to slow the progression of prostate cancer.
Cucumbers have a mild, refreshing taste and a high water content. They can help relieve dehydration and are pleasant to eat in hot weather. People eat cucumber as a savory food, but it is a fruit. It also features in some beauty products. The cucumber is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Other members of the family include squash and different kinds of melon, including bitter melon. Cucumbers provide various nutrients but are low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium. People in India have grown cucumbers for food and medicinal purposes since ancient times, and they have long been part of the Mediterranean diet. This article looks at the nutritional content of cucumber, its possible health benefits, tips for eating or using cucumber, and any potential health risks.
Nutrition According to the USDA, one 142-g cup of unpared, raw, chopped cucumber contains the following nutrients: water: 137 g
calories: 17
protein: 0.8 g
fat: 0.2 g
carbohydrate: 3.1 g, including 2.0 g of sugar
fiber: 1.0 g
calcium: 19.9 g
iron: 0.3 mg
magnesium: 17 mg
phosphorus: 29.8 mg
potassium: 193 mg
sodium: 2.8 mg
vitamin C: 4.5 mg
folate: 19.9 mcg
beta carotene: 44 mcg
lutein + zeaxanthin 22.7 mcg
vitamin K: 10.2 mcg Cucumber also contains a range of B vitamins, vitamin A, and antioxidants, including a type known as lignans. Antioxidants help remove substances from the body known as free radicals. Some free radicals come from natural bodily processes, and some come from outside pressures, such as pollution. If too many collect in the body, they can lead to cell damage and various types of disease. Studies have suggested that the lignans in cucumber and other foods may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer.
Types The most commonly available type of cucumber is the hothouse or English cucumber. It is large, with dark green skin, and few or no seeds. According to one source, other types of cucumber include: Armenian, or snake cucumbers: These are long and twisted with thin, dark green skin and pale furrows. People often use them for pickling. Japanese cucumbers: These are dark green and narrow. The skin is thin with small bumps on it. People can eat them whole. Kirby cucumbers: People often use these for dill pickles. They are crispy, with thin skin and small seeds. Lemon cucumber: These are around the size of a lemon, with pale skin. The taste is sweet and delicate. Persian cucumbers: Shorter and fatter than the hothouse cucumber, these are crunchy to eat. The wild cucumber vine (Echinocystis lobata) is a fast-growing plant that is native to North America. Gardeners consider it a weed. Its fruits are not edible.
Tips Choose crisp, firm cucumbers and avoid those with shriveled or withered ends. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Some producers apply a wax coating to cucumbers after picking them. Do not wash these before storing, but rinse thoroughly or peel before consuming. People usually consume cucumbers raw. Their mild taste and refreshing crunch make them suitable for: adding to salads or sandwiches
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accompanying rich or highly flavored dishes, such as curries and stews They pair well with a range of foods, including cheese, turkey, salmon, and nut butter. Try the following: Mix sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese for a Greek-style side dish.
Jazz up water by adding mint leaves and cucumber.
Slice cucumbers into thick slices and dip them in your favorite hummus.
Blend cucumbers alone or other vegetables, such as carrots and celery, to make a juice.
Make gazpacho soup by blending with tomatoes, pimentos, garlic, onions, and bread crumbs and then chilling.
Mix with garlic, mint, and Greek yogurt to accompany a curry.
Risks Cucumber is safe for most people to eat, but there are some points to consider. Digestive problems Some people find some types of cucumber hard to digest . One source suggests that the conventional, large cucumber available in most grocery shelves is easy for most people to digest. Blood clotting Cucumber is relatively high in vitamin K. Eating too much cucumber could affect how a person’s blood clots. People who use warfarin (Coumadin) or similar blood-thinning drugs should not increase their intake of cucumber dramatically or suddenly without consulting a doctor. Allergy Some people have reported an allergic reaction to cucumber. Anyone with a known allergy should avoid all contact with cucumber. Symptoms of a reaction include: hives
swelling
difficulty breathing If a person has breathing problems, they need immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. Would you recognize anaphylaxis, and would you know what to do? Find out here. Toxicity Some cucurbitacins are toxic for people to consume. Eating bottle gourd, for example, has caused illness in some people. People should : avoid eating the plant on which cucumbers grow
only consume cucumber fruits that they know are edible The concentration of cucurbitacins in the everyday cucumber are unlikely to cause toxicity, however.
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Should I go organic? Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces a list of fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. Cucumbers are currently sixteenth on the list. The EWG suggest buying organic cucumber to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure. Growing cucumbers at home is another option. Growing cucumbers People who have a garden that gets plenty of sun and has well-drained soil may wish to grow cucumbers. In this way, they can know which pesticides, if any, they have used. Growing fruits and vegetables at home can also maximize nutritional value, as people can eat them as soon as they harvest them. Plant cucumber seeds when there is unlikely to be a frost.