“Sometimes,” says the TikTok star known as “Cucumber Guy,” “you have to eat a whole cucumber.”
Then the 23-year-old slices. Canadian influencer Logan Moffitt has sparked a global wave of chopping, pickling and crunching by sharing viral recipes for cucumber salads prepared in plastic containers.
His videos regularly garner over 10 million views and have sparked a wave of imitators on social media who are equally as popular.
In Iceland, the virtual hype has even led suppliers to struggle with a nationwide shortage of the vegetable.
However, experts now point out that excessive consumption of cucumbers can cause unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea, flatulence and kidney problems.
Canadian influencer Logan Moffitt has sparked a global wave of chopping, pickling and crunching by sharing viral recipes for cucumber salads in plastic containers
While regular consumption of lettuce is safe and healthy, excessive amounts of anything can lead to negative side effects.
US-based dietitian and nutritionist Carolina Schneider said: “The high water and fibre content can cause digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.”
“This is because fiber stimulates bowel movements and in some people, especially those who are not used to a high-fiber diet, this can cause bloating, flatulence or even diarrhea.”
Cucumbers offer many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, fiber and manganese.
However, studies have also shown that excess vitamin K can impair blood clotting, while too much potassium can cause hyperkalemia – when potassium levels in the blood are higher than normal.
Many people show few or no symptoms of hyperkalemia.
If symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and include muscle weakness, numbness, tingling and nausea, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
The content creator from Ottawa, Canada, begins most of his videos with the words: “Sometimes you have to eat a whole cucumber. I’ll show you the best way to do it.”
Sudden signs may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, or even nausea and vomiting.
Experts told MailOnline that overdosing on such nutrients is “very difficult” but warned people taking blood-thinning medication to watch their vitamin K intake.
Registered dietitian and author Rob Hobson said: “There is nothing wrong with eating cucumbers and even if you eat a large amount of them, you are unlikely to do so for very long as the appeal is likely to wear off.”
“Overdosing on nutrients from food is very difficult, as this is what usually happens with supplements.
“Cases of excess potassium and vitamin K are more likely to occur in people with very specific health problems than in healthy individuals.”
“For example, people taking blood thinners such as warfarin would need to be careful about their vitamin K intake. However, this is a special case and could be remedied by changing the dosage.”
He added: “Of course, it is a good idea to vary your intake of fruits and vegetables and not rely on just one type.
“Considering that the average intake of fruits and vegetables is already below the recommendation of five servings per day, I would not discourage anyone from eating cucumbers.”
Meanwhile, Professor Gunter Kuhnle, an expert in nutrition and food science at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: “Excess potassium can have adverse effects, but this is unlikely to be achieved with cucumbers.”
“To reach the daily recommended amount of potassium, you would need about 2.5 kg of cucumbers – that’s a lot.”
“The safe upper limit for vitamin K is about 1 mg/day, which is equivalent to 6 kg of cucumbers, which would also be difficult to achieve.”
“However, someone who is taking blood-thinning medication and suddenly eats large amounts of cucumbers should check whether this will interfere with the effects of the medication.”
Research from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology also suggests that people with allergies to melons, zucchini and bananas may also suffer from a cucumber allergy.
Cucumbers contain many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, fiber and manganese. However, research has also shown that an excess of vitamin K can impair blood clotting, while too much potassium can trigger hyperkalemia – when potassium levels in the blood are higher than normal.
But consumers are not the only ones who have been embarrassed by the viral TikTok trend.
Icelandic supermarkets and suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand after stocks dwindled due to an unprecedented surge in demand for the vegetable.
Farmers in Iceland – a country with a population of 393,600 – produce about six million cucumbers.
The Icelandic farmers’ association, the Horticulturists’ Sales Company, said it was currently unable to meet consumer demand, but hoped that supplies would return to normal “in about a week”.
In 2021, a TikTok hype about a pasta dish with baked feta caused the Greek cheese to disappear from the shelves of several supermarkets.
That same year, a recipe for a salmon rice bowl that went viral also put supplies of Kewpie mayonnaise to the test.
