Cuckoo for Cucumbers

The floodgates have been opened, and now we are covering all kinds of so-called “fruits.” While the seeded cucumber is technically a fruit, I would never consider it anything but a vegetable. The cucumber is a member of the gourd family and grows on creeping vines typically on frames and trellises. Yellow cucumber flowers can produce a berry called the pepo. Cucumbers are notorious for their popularity in cooking despite their low nutritional value. So why, then, do the chefs and dieticians of the world recommend eating cucumbers?

• Like tomatoes, cucumbers have a very high water content, making them a refreshing snack.
• Cucumber peels are rich in nutrients and vitamins- so eat them unpeeled if possible.
• Staying hydrated is very important for good health. We usually get most of our water by drinking water and juices, but we can get as much as 40% of our water from eating water-rich fruits and vegetables.
• Cucumbers can promote weight loss. They are low in calories- they’ll fill one up without anything unnecessary!
• Also, water-rich fruits have been shown to promote weight loss.
• Some studies indicate that cucumbers can lower blood sugar. This may have to do with the water-richness, again, or potentially with antioxidants contained by cucumbers that can lower oxidative stress.

Next time you want a tasty but healthy snack, try to include more cucumber into your diet by slicing one up and sprinkling it with salt!