Cucumber is excellent for weight loss as it is rich in water content. (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Cucumber, known for its high water content, is often advised to people on a weight loss spree. Also high in fibre, cucumbers help one feel fuller for longer. Easily available at all vegetable stores, cucumbers — that are cooling in nature — are often consumed as an accompaniment to meals. But, it turns out one must not have kheera along with lunch or dinner. But why?
Dr Alka Vijayan, an Ayurveda expert, recently took to Instagram to share that she does not have cucumbers with her meals, and neither does she recommend it to her patients. “I don’t prefer consuming raw cucumber with cooked meals. Neither do I recommend it for my patients, even if they are looking for weight loss,” she said in the video.
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Explaining the reason, she said when raw and uncooked cucumbers are combined with cooked meals it leads to a delay in digestion. This happens because the time taken by the body to digest cooked and uncooked foods is different, as cooked food has already undergone a transformation after being subjected to heat that leads to the formation of pro-inflammatory products called ama. Ama, a causative factor for pain and aches in our body, also leads to inflammatory conditions in the long run.
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Agreeing, Swati Bathwal, a dietitian, told indianexpress.com, “Yes, cucumber is excellent for weight loss as it is rich in water content. Also, the seeds in cucumber help in preventing constipation, and both fibre and water content help induce satiety. But, eating cucumber with meals can cause indigestion for some people because of the compound called cucurbitacin (class of biochemical compounds). Also, cucumbers must always be eaten with its skin on after it is washed thoroughly.”
According to Reema Kinjalkar, a nutritionist at Urban Platter, cucurbitacin imparts bitter taste. Some people with weak digestive health may find it hard to digest cucumber due to this compound, as it known to induce indigestion problems such as gas and bloating.
“Cucurbitacin is most concentrated near the ends of cucumbers. These compounds are produced as a self-defense mechanism to protect themselves from being eaten. As a result, rubbing the ends and sprinkling the salt aids in the extraction of the white milky fluid containing the cucurbitacins. By removing the cucumber’s ends, you limit the chances of the cucurbitacins spreading to the rest of the cucumber,” added Reema.
Giving more reasons, Dr Alka said: “Secondly, cucumber is light, watery, and cold in nature. Regular consumption may lead to vata imbalance causing bloating, constipation, and dry hair.” She suggested eating cucumbers in the form of salads (as a whole meal). “It is best recommended for pitta predominant body types because it helps in cooling down the body heat and rehydrating it.”
If the vata people want to include it in their diet, per Dr Alka, they should sprinkle some salt, pepper, and sesame seed to reduce bloating.“And for kapha types, it is best to consume them by pairing them with green leafy vegetables,” added Dr Alka.
As such, Reema listed the following benefits of cucumber:
Good for bone health
Cucumber contains vitamin K, which lowers the incidence of bone fractures. Vitamin K is used by the human body to form bones and also to minimise the risk of hemorrhaging in liver pathologic conditions. Vitamin K is also required by the body for calcium absorption and bone formation.
Digestion aids and controls blood sugar
High water and dietary fiber content is particularly efficient in clearing the body of toxins and improving digestion. Fiber slows down the absorption of sugar and fat in the body and therefore prevents sudden spikes in blood glucose level.
Beneficial to heart health
The presence of potassium and magnesium aids in blood pressure regulation. Fibres help to manage the total cholesterol level in the body and improve heart health.
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FAQs
But, eating cucumber with meals can cause indigestion for some people because of the compound called cucurbitacin (class of biochemical compounds).
Why must you not eat raw cucumber with meals? ›
Delay digestion
Experts also say that raw and uncooked cucumbers, when combined with cooked meals lead to a delay in digestion. It happens because the digestion time for cooked and uncooked food is different.
Is it okay to eat cucumber with a meal? ›
Ultimately, whether you choose to have cucumber before a large meal depends on your personal preferences and how it affects your digestion and appetite. Some individuals may prefer to eat cucumber as part of their meal, while others may prefer to consume it as a snack before or between meals.
What is one major side effect of eating cucumber? ›
Side-Effects & Allergies of Cucumber
Cucumber contains toxins like cucurbitacins and tetracyclic triterpenoids which can prove detrimental if consumed in large quantities. Cucurbitin, a mild anti-diuretic, is present in cucumber and excess of it can leave you highly dehydrated.
Why shouldn't we eat tomato and cucumber together? ›
Tomatoes and cucumbers have different digestion time and mixing them can cause health complications. The bad food combination can trigger digestive problems such as stomach ache, gas, nausea and bloating. ... So it is more beneficial to our health to eat cucumbers without any additions.”
What happens to your body when you eat cucumber everyday? ›
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.
Why shouldn't we eat cucumber at night? ›
According to experts, eating a large amount of cucumber makes the stomach feel full and satisfied. However, they should be avoided at night as consuming too much can cause bloating and sleep disturbances.
Is cucumber good for the kidneys? ›
The cucumber provides a delicious snap to many meals and snacks. It can also be blended for cool soups, and creamy dips and spreads. Finding low-potassium produce can sometimes be a challenge for people with kidney disease, yet the cucumber offers a tasty treat that is versatile and kidney-friendly.
Why should we not eat cucumber empty stomach? ›
Cucumbers
Cucumbers make for a great salad but eating them on an empty stomach may cause flatulence and abdominal pain.
What is the best time to eat cucumber? ›
You can eat cucumbers at any time of the day, as they are a healthy and hydrating vegetable. They make a refreshing addition to salads, sandwiches, or can be enjoyed as a snack. There's no specific "best" time to eat cucumbers; it depends on your personal preferences and how they fit into your meals.
People often eat both cucumber and radish mixed in salad. However, both can react with each other. Cucumber contains ascorbate, which acts to absorb vitamin C. In such a situation, when you eat radish with it, it creates obstruction in this process, which can lead to a variety of health concerns.
Does cucumber reduce belly fat? ›
A: Cucumbers alone cannot directly burn belly fat. To reduce belly fat, you must focus on making healthy dietary choices, exercising regularly, and making lifestyle changes. So while cucumbers can help with weight loss, they will not specifically target belly fat.
What organs are cucumbers good for? ›
Cucumbers are super hydrating.
Given that our bodies are also made of mostly water, hydration is key to keeping all of our organ systems functioning well, particularly our kidneys. 2 It also helps us to maintain healthy blood pressure and keeps our detoxifying systems firing on all cylinders.
Can we drink water after eating cucumber? ›
For optimum nutritional absorption, it is always advised to avoid drinking water right before eating fresh vegetables and fruits. "Consumption of water immediately after having cucumber could increase GI motility and affect the natural process of digestion and absorption," says Ms.
Can I eat cheese with cucumber? ›
Instead of corn, we flavor cucumber slices with cotija cheese, lime and cilantro for a tasty filling. Cotija cheese, a salty, crumbly Mexican cheese, is similar in flavor and texture to feta cheese, which can be used as a substitute. Arugula adds a peppery flavor, but any tender greens will work well here.
Why should we not drink water after eating cucumber? ›
The optimal pH level needed by the body to digest food is also thought to be disturbed by drinking water before or after consuming cucumber. The pH levels could be diluted by too much water, which could prevent the acids needed to break down food from working properly and ultimately result in poor digestion.
Is raw cucumber hard to digest? ›
Even though cucumbers are loaded with water, they are not easy to digest. Never club cucumbers with heavy food at night, as this can take a double toll on your digestive system. This is why it is always recommended to have a light dinner around 7 pm to keep your sleep cycle on track.
Cucumber is excellent for weight loss as it is rich in water content. (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)