If you’re on TikTok, your For You page is probably super cool.
The latest food trend is for people to eat a whole cucumber every day. But is eating a whole cucumber actually healthy?
User @logagm’s follower count has risen to 5.2 million and his likes have skyrocketed with his now-viral “Cucumber of the Day” videos, in which he prepares all kinds of salads using a whole cucumber.
Logan is known for his aesthetically pleasing cucumber salads, but he has also created cucumber kimchi, a cucumber flight, and cucumber appetizers.
“Sometimes you have to eat a whole cucumber,” he wrote in one of his videos.
Foodies on TikTok have followed suit and started making their own cucumber salads—and aside from the cucumber recall due to reports of salmonella-related illnesses, the salad actually has a whole host of health benefits.
A whole cucumber is not a typical snack – most people opt for a few slices of cucumber – but eating one cucumber daily is safe and can contribute to a healthy diet.
“Adding a cucumber to your diet can also help you meet the USDA recommendation of five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Many people don’t eat enough vegetables, so adding a cucumber to your daily menu is an easy and tasty way to boost your intake,” Veronica Rouse, MAN, RD, CDE, who specializes in heart health, told Well+Good.
Amy Davis, RD, LDN, registered dietitian at FRESH Communications, agreed: “Because cucumbers are mostly water and contain small amounts of certain vitamins and minerals, it is safe and nutritious to eat one cucumber daily.”
Here are all the cool benefits of eating a cucumber daily:
Hydration
Cucumbers are a water-rich food and consist of about 96% water, so they can help you meet your daily fluid needs.
“Due to its high water content, eating a whole cucumber a day can lead to improved hydration and potentially more regular bowel movements,” Davis explained, adding that staying well hydrated leads to a smoothly functioning digestive system and can prevent constipation.
Nutritional values
Eating cucumbers provides many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, fiber and manganese.
“Eating a whole cucumber daily may support heart health due to its potassium content, as potassium helps regulate blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium,” Rouse said.
“With about 290 to 300 milligrams of potassium in a medium-sized cucumber, it can be a useful part of a heart-healthy diet.”
However, Davis warned that cucumbers provide about half a day’s worth of vitamin K, which can affect blood clotting, so people taking blood thinners should be cautious and consult their doctor before drastically increasing their cucumber consumption.
Satisfaction with the meal
Because cucumbers are low in calories, they are a great snack for anyone who wants to watch their calorie intake.
According to USDA Food Data Central, a whole cucumber has only about 45 calories.
“Because cucumbers are so low in calories but high in water, they can promote satiety and help with weight control,” Davis said.
