From creamy tzatziki-inspired salads to crunchy umami and chili-forward snacks, cucumbers are going viral, which begs the query: Is it wholesome to eat a complete cucumber day-after-day? On this article, we spoke to registered dietitians Amy Davis, RD and Veronica Rouse, RD to interrupt down the diet of cucumbers and discover the potential well being advantages from consuming a whole cuke day-after-day.
The well being results of consuming an complete cucumber each day
Right here’s a take a look at what occurs while you incorporate a whole cucumber into your each day food regimen.
1. You may be well-hydrated
Hydration is essential not just for bodily exercise or withstanding excessive warmth. Each day hydration is essential for regulating physique temperature, making certain correct mobile perform, and sustaining electrolyte steadiness. “One complete cucumber is made up of about 96 p.c water. Attributable to this high-water content material, one could have improved hydration ranges, and probably extra common bowel actions by consuming a whole cucumber a day,” Davis says. As she notes, ample hydration helps forestall constipation by preserving the digestive system functioning easily.
2. You may reap tons of vitamins
Cucumbers are full of important nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with vitamin Ok, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. “Consuming a complete cucumber each day can help coronary heart well being attributable to its potassium content material, which helps regulate blood strain by counteracting sodium’s results. With roughly 290 to 300 milligrams of potassium in a medium cucumber, it may be a useful a part of a heart-healthy food regimen,” says Rouse, who focuses on coronary heart well being.
3. You may really feel extra glad along with your meal
Cucumber is low in energy, making it an excellent snack for these trying to handle their weight, as they are often consumed in bigger portions with out considerably rising calorie consumption. Its excessive water content material and even the minimal fiber ranges can promote a sense of fullness. “In accordance with the USDA Meals Information Central, one complete cucumber incorporates about 45 energy. Since cucumbers are so low in energy, however have a excessive water content material, they can assist promote satiety and assist in weight administration,” Davis notes.
So, is it wholesome to eat a complete cucumber day-after-day?
Consuming a big serving of cucumber day-after-day is mostly thought-about protected and may be a part of a nutritious diet. Rouse notes it’s not solely protected, however, “including a cucumber to your food regimen also can show you how to meet the USDA’s advice of 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies each day. Many individuals don’t get sufficient greens, so together with a cucumber in your each day routine is an easy and engaging approach to enhance your consumption.”
Davis agrees, noting, “Since cucumbers are made up of principally water and supply solely small quantities of sure nutritional vitamins and minerals, it’s protected and nutritious to eat a cucumber each day.” That mentioned, cucumbers have about half your day’s price of vitamin Ok, which might have an effect on blood clotting, so these taking blood thinners, like warfarin, ought to examine with their physician earlier than rising their cucumber consumption, Davis warns.
Whereas consuming a complete cucumber each day is protected and even useful, it is vital to eat a wide range of fruit and veggies in your food regimen. Each merchandise of produce supplies distinctive nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By embracing dietary range, you’ll be able to make sure that your physique receives all of the important vitamins it must perform optimally and cut back your danger of deficiencies.
The perfect whole-cucumber recipes on TikTok
Asian-inspired recipe
This TikTok video by consumer @logagm appears to have sparked the viral development. Within the video, thinly sliced cucumbers are shaken up in a plastic deli container together with soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, MSG, sesame oil, garlic, inexperienced onions, and toasted sesame seeds. With over 7.8 million views, this mouthwatering recipe has prompted many to strive the development themselves.
One thing salty and candy
At 8.9 million views, creator @logagm has executed it once more with a unique tackle this cucumber salad. This recipe combines simply six substances: olive oil, pepperoncini brine, white vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Are you drooling but?
Creamy, briny, and scorching
On this video, @ash_loves_condiments achieves well-balanced taste with a cucumber salad combining jalapeno cream cheese, marinated goat cheese, thinly sliced purple onion, purple wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Added protein
If you’re trying to rework cucumber salad right into a extra balanced meal, look no additional. Creator @Taylorlynnlankau‘s recipe combines soy sauce, minced garlic, chili crisp, sesame oil, sesame seeds, rice vinegar, inexperienced onions, and edamame for a contact of plant-based protein.
Tart and salty
Don’t have a mandoline? No downside! Creator @Abbiekonnick prefers slicing her cucumbers with the massive horizontal grates on the aspect of a cheese grater. Mixed with lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and crushed purple pepper, this dish is tart and salty, with a kick!
