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 vitamin of cucumbers and discover the potential well being advantages from consuming a whole cuke day-after-day.
The well being results of consuming an entire cucumber every day
Right here’s a take a look at what occurs if you incorporate a whole cucumber into your every day weight loss plan.
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, guaranteeing correct mobile perform, and sustaining electrolyte stability. “One entire cucumber is made up of about 96 p.c water. Resulting from this high-water content material, one could have improved hydration ranges, and doubtlessly extra common bowel actions by consuming a whole cucumber a day,” Davis says. As she notes, ample hydration helps forestall constipation by conserving the digestive system functioning easily.
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2. You may reap tons of vitamins
Cucumbers are full of important nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with vitamin Okay, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. “Consuming a complete cucumber every day can help coronary heart well being resulting from its potassium content material, which helps regulate blood stress by counteracting sodium’s results. With roughly 290 to 300 milligrams of potassium in a medium cucumber, it may be a helpful a part of a heart-healthy weight loss plan,” says Rouse, who focuses on coronary heart well being.
3. You may really feel extra glad together with your meal
Cucumber is low in energy, making it a really perfect snack for these trying to handle their weight, as they are often consumed in bigger portions with out considerably growing calorie consumption. Its excessive water content material and even the minimal fiber ranges can promote a sense of fullness. “In response to the USDA Meals Knowledge Central, one entire cucumber accommodates about 45 energy. Since cucumbers are so low in energy, however have a excessive water content material, they might help promote satiety and support 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 usually thought-about protected and may be a part of a nutritious diet. Rouse notes it isn’t solely protected, however, “including a cucumber to your weight loss plan also can assist you meet the USDA’s advice of 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies every day. Many individuals don’t get sufficient greens, so together with a cucumber in your every day routine is a straightforward and engaging solution to enhance your consumption.”
Davis agrees, noting, “Since cucumbers are made up of largely water and supply solely small quantities of sure nutritional vitamins and minerals, it’s protected and nutritious to eat a cucumber every day.” That mentioned, cucumbers have about half your day’s value of vitamin Okay, which might have an effect on blood clotting, so these taking blood thinners, like warfarin, ought to test with their physician earlier than growing their cucumber consumption, Davis warns.
Whereas consuming a complete cucumber every day is protected and even helpful, it is vital to eat a wide range of vegetables and fruit in your weight loss plan. Each merchandise of produce gives distinctive nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By embracing dietary variety, you possibly can make sure that your physique receives all of the important vitamins it must perform optimally and scale back your danger of deficiencies.
The perfect whole-cucumber recipes on TikTok
Asian-inspired recipe
This TikTok video by person @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 attempt the development themselves.
One thing salty and candy
At 8.9 million views, creator @logagm has completed it once more with a unique tackle this cucumber salad. This recipe combines simply six elements: olive oil, pepperoncini brine, white vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Are you drooling but?
Creamy, briny, and sizzling
On this video, @ash_loves_condiments achieves well-balanced taste with a cucumber salad combining jalapeno cream cheese, marinated goat cheese, thinly sliced crimson onion, crimson wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Added protein
In case you are trying to remodel 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 big 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 crimson pepper, this dish is tart and salty, with a kick!
