A 142-g cup of unpeeled cucumber also provides 193 mg of potassium and 17 mg of magnesium. The Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults consume 4,700 mg of potassium each day and 310–410 mg of magnesium, depending on sex and age.
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.
There are just 16 calories in a cup of cucumber with its peel (15 without). You will get about 4% of your daily potassium, 3% of your daily fiber and 4% of your daily vitamin C. They also "provide small amounts of vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin A," Ware said.
Excessive intake of cucumbers may trigger Hyperkalemia, which is a rare medical condition caused due to the presence of high potassium content in the body. Excessive intake of potassium rich cucumber may lead to flatulence, abdominal cramps and in some cases it can affect the renal system and kidneys.
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.
The Bottom Line
Eating cucumbers may lead to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity and lower blood sugar levels.
Carrots have significantly more Vitamins A, E and K than cucumber. Carrots are also a good source of Vitamin C, niacin, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Carrots even contain Vitamin K, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, and iron.
Cucumber is also not a friendly snack for people with sensitive stomachs. It contains an ingredient called cucurbitacin, which is a powerful ingredient, known to cause indigestion problems. Even a little growling or indigestion can lead to flatulence or burping, which again makes it difficult to rest with ease.
“Eating just one cucumber a day can be great! It mostly contains water. So, even if you were to eat more than one, it won't cause any harm. In fact, it will keep you full and help you avoid reaching out for any junk food,” said nutritionist Manisha Chopra.
It is usually not necessary to peel a cucumber or remove the seeds if you plan to eat it raw. If the cucumber skin has been waxed (to make it look shiny) or if you plan to cook the cucumber, remove the skin with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Some large cucumbers have hard seeds.
Cucumber extract is effective in reducing pain related to moderate knee osteoarthritis(OA) and can be potentially used in the management of knee pain, stiffness, and physical functions related to OA.
Cucumbers also have a decent amount of calcium (48mg, 5 percent of recommended daily values), iron (0.84mg, 4.68 percent of DV), magnesium (39mg, 10 percent of DV), phosphorus (72mg, 7 percent of DV), potassium (442mg, 13 percent of DV), zinc (0.6mg, 4 percent of DV) and copper (0.123mg, 6.17 percent of DV).
Cucumbers have fever reducing qualities as well as cooling and detoxifying effects on the liver. When eaten on a daily basis (at least one whole cucumber) they can actually reverse some liver damage and toxic load.
Vitamin C gets degraded on exposure to heat so these will lose their nutritive value while cooking. Cucumber: It is best to eat cucumbers raw as cooking reduces the nutritional content of this vegetable.
It's high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions. Also, cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.
As a food, cucumbers offer superior hydration, as they are about 95% water. They have been used for decades for their anti-inflammatory benefits on skin, soothing properties for digestion, and other therapeutic uses.
Cucumbers are considered as extremely low-calorie foods made up of 96% water. 100 grams of cucumbers add up to just 45 calories. They are packed with minerals, dietary fibers and other vitamins which are very effective in losing belly fat.
Cucumbers are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that provide enough nourishment to your scalp for encouraging hair growth. If you're worried about the problem of hair loss, cucumber can be the effective solution for this concern.
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.
Fruits like cucumber and watermelon improve digestion if taken in the right way. If water is consumed after taking these fruits, it can upset your digestion. This is because water containing food smoothens the digestion process and makes the bowel movement easy.
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.
Cucumber Water Is a Detox Drink
They are a natural diuretic and detox water, which helps the body to pass toxins through urine. And if you nibble a little cucumber while you drink, the fiber in this super vegetable will sweep toxins from your digestive system, too.
Which one should you choose? Tomatoes are higher in immune-boosting vitamin C than cucumbers. They are a good source of vitamin K, which ensures that blood can clot so wounds heal properly.
Cucumber has less Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin B6, Fiber, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Phosphorus, Manganese, and Iron. Broccoli covers your daily Vitamin C needs 96% more than Cucumber.
Why is Cucumber better than Celery? Measurably more alpha carotene per 100g. Alpha carotene is similar to beta carotene but is more effective in its role as an antioxidant. It helps maintaining healthy bones, skin and vision, as well as a strong immune system.