To Peel or Not to Peel Cucumber: Advice That Surprises Many People

Cucumber is a refreshing food, popular for its crunchiness, high water content and low calories.

Removing the skin means losing a significant portion of the cucumber’s nutritional value. The dark green skin is packed with important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help support digestion, skin health, bone health, and overall well-being.

Some people avoid eating cucumber rinds because they can taste a bit bitter or chewy, but most cucumber varieties available today are mild and easy to eat.

Understanding the health benefits of cucumber peels can help change the way we use this fruit in our daily meals, according to The Times of India .

Cucumber is a cooling dish, popular for its crunchiness and high water content.

Photo: AI

Cucumber peel is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Many fruits and vegetables concentrate their nutrients in the peel, and cucumbers are no exception.

The inside is mostly water, providing moisture and few calories, but with limited nutritional value. Meanwhile, the peel is where many vitamins and minerals are concentrated.

A study in the journal Health SA Gesondheid analyzed the peels of 10 fruits, including cucumbers, and found that cucumber peels contain significant amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals, demonstrating their high nutritional value.

Cucumber peel is rich in fiber, which aids digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer. It also contains vitamin K, which is needed for strong bones and normal blood clotting.

Vitamin C in cucumber peel aids in collagen production, boosting skin health and the immune system.

Additionally, beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant found in cucumber peel, helps fight oxidative stress in the body.

Magnesium, a nutrient concentrated in the peel, may help regulate blood pressure, relieve headaches, and maintain nerve and muscle function.

Peeling cucumbers means that most of these essential nutrients are removed, reducing the health value of an otherwise nutritious dish.

Cucumber peel is rich in fiber, aids digestion and helps maintain a feeling of fullness for a long time...

Photo: AI

Why does cucumber peel taste bitter?

Some people avoid eating cucumber peels because they have a slightly bitter or chewy taste. This bitterness comes from the compound cucurbitacin, but modern cucumber varieties have been bred to be less bitter, making the peels more palatable.

Additionally, soaking cucumbers in cold water and sprinkling them with a little salt can reduce the bitterness while retaining nutrients and natural crispness.

Eating cucumber skin also helps increase fiber intake, aids digestion and provides additional antioxidants. The skin also adds crunch to dishes. Keeping the skin on helps you eat deliciously while adding fiber.

Tips to keep cucumber peels both nutritious and safe

To get the full benefits of cucumber peel, you need to wash the fruit thoroughly to remove any dirt, pesticides or chemicals.

For those sensitive to bitterness, rub the skin lightly or choose cucumber varieties with less bitter skin to retain flavor and still ensure nutrition.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/got-hay-khong-got-vo-dua-leo-loi-khuyen-khien-nhieu-nguoi-bat-ngo-185251202133137247.htm