Eating a Cucumber a Day: Benefits and Surprises

When Alma Li, a nutritionist and health blogger, was asked whether it's good or bad to eat two cucumbers a day, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"How can one think that this wonderful vegetable, which tastes great even without any seasoning, could be harmful to our bodies?" she writes in response, noting that she herself eats a cucumber every day, and asks, "Do you want to know what it does for me? Only good things. Cucumbers may help protect your brain and even combat the spread of certain types of cancer."

According to her, the antioxidants in cucumbers called fisetin fight many diseases. "Recent reports from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that fisetin has significant implications for clearing infections and inflammations, particularly meningitis. It has also been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and even lower blood glucose levels for diabetics."

"These enzymes perform various important activities in the body"

According to her explanation, since the fibers help lower blood sugar levels, cucumbers, which are rich in them, are a valuable resource for diabetics, and their relatively low sugar content only adds to its value.

"Cucumbers are also a good source of a mineral called molybdenum, responsible for producing enzymes – proteins that trigger chemical reactions in the body," Li explains. "These enzymes perform various important activities like transporting iron, regulating carbohydrates, and aiding metabolism."

Cucumbers are also a good substitute for breath fresheners, and for those who find it difficult to drink water, they serve as a solution not only to provide the body with necessary fluids. "Water serves many purposes in the body, including nutrient transport, aiding digestion, and flushing toxins from the liver and kidneys. If you find it hard to consistently drink water, just eating one cucumber per meal can provide the necessary amount of fluids you need."

Li concludes by stating that cucumbers are excellent for alleviating hangover symptoms and even soothing sunburned skin as a replacement for aloe vera.