How many calories are in cucumbers?
Cucumbers are very low in calories: a one-cup serving of sliced cucumbers contains just 16 calories, while an entire cucumber has only about 45 calories. Cucumbers can easily be used to add bulk and flavor to healthy salads, sandwiches, light summer soups, and even stir-fries, while adding little to the overall calorie count.
Studies have also shown that consumption of cucumbers can reduce hypertension, possibly due to their ability to promote vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels), and the magnesium they contain has also been linked to lower blood pressure.
As cucumbers fit into both of these categories, regular cuke consumption could help you shed a few pounds.
Cucumbers are a good source of vitamin K as well, a nutrient that the Harvard School of Public Health calls an essential part of the blood clotting process. So, if you’ve been on the fence about chowing down on cucumbers every day, it looks like they are actually a fantastic addition to your diet.
For one thing — who knew? — as the Times of India tells us, the cucumber is a fruit, not a vegetable. More importantly, though, regular consumption of cucumbers can have some surprising health benefits, including improved hydration, better digestion, weight loss, and a healthier heart.
Cucumbers can keep you regular. In addition to being water-rich, cucumbers are also full of fiber ( especially if you leave the peels on), and both water and fiber help to keep things moving along inside the body.
Cucumbers are good for your heart. Shutterstock. Cucumbers contain a number of nutrients that are linked with heart health, as potassium consumption has been linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.
How many calories are in a cucumber?
Each one-cup (104-gram) serving contains just 16 calories, while an entire 11-ounce (300-gram) cucumber contains only 45 calories ( 1 ). This means that you can eat plenty of cucumbers without packing on the extra calories that lead to weight gain.
Peeling them reduces the amount of fiber, as well as certain vitamins and minerals ( 3 ). Cucumbers are low in calories but high in water and several important vitamins and minerals. Eating cucumbers with the peel provides the maximum amount of nutrients.
Manganese: 12% of the RDI. Although, the typical serving size is about one-third of a cucumber, so eating a standard portion would provide about one-third of the nutrients above. Additionally, cucumbers have a high water content. In fact, cucumbers are made up of about 96% water ( 2. Trusted Source.
One analysis looked at 13 studies including 3,628 people and found that eating foods with high water and low calorie contents was associated with a significant decrease in body weight ( 11. Trusted Source. ). Summary: Cucumbers are low in calories, high in water and can be used as a low-calorie topping for many dishes.
They are low in calories but contain many important vitamins and minerals, as well as a high water content. Eating cucumbers may lead to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity and lower blood sugar levels.
Cucumbers are also often eaten raw as a low-calorie snack or can be paired with hummus, olive oil, salt or salad dressing to add a bit more flavor. With just a bit of creativity, cucumbers can be enjoyed in many ways. Here are a few recipes to help incorporate cucumbers into your diet: Baked Cucumber Chips.
One study measured the antioxidant power of cucumber by supplementing 30 older adults with cucumber powder. At the end of the 30-day study, cucumber powder caused a significant increase in several markers of antioxidant activity and improved antioxidant status ( 5. Trusted Source.
Do cucumbers have fiber?
Apart from water, cucumbers also contain fibers. This is an amazing combination that will help people with their visits to the toilet for a number two. Cucumbers also contain enzymes that can split protein, which helps us with digesting products that contain a lot of protein and are therefore difficult to digest, like meat and fish.
There are so many benefits to eating cucumber! Cucumbers are very versatile: they’re great as a snack, add a crunchy bite to your salad and can bring your sandwich up to the next level. But this vegetable isn’t just tasty and versatile . Cucumbers have a lot more to offer! Read about all of their great benefits below.