New discoveries about the uses of cucumbers.

Studies on women with type 2 diabetes have shown that cucumber juice can help improve blood sugar and blood lipid levels after 8 weeks of use.

Many compounds in cantaloupe can slow down the absorption of sugar. Photo: Freepik.

A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Medicine of Kermanshah University (Iran) showed that drinking cucumber juice daily may help improve some metabolic indicators in people with type 2 diabetes.

The study was conducted on 40 women with type 2 diabetes over 8 weeks. Participants were divided into four groups: a control group, a resistance training group, a group consuming only cucumber juice, and a group combining exercise with cucumber juice. The groups consuming cucumber juice were required to drink 240 ml of pure cucumber juice daily.

The results showed that after 8 weeks, the group consuming cucumber juice recorded improvements in several key indicators. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c (an indicator reflecting average blood glucose levels over approximately 3 months) both decreased. In addition, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) tended to decrease, while HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) increased.

Researchers suggest that this effect may be related to several bioactive compounds found in cucumbers, such as cucurbitacin, kaempferol, fiber, and malonic acid. These components are believed to slow down sugar absorption, improve insulin sensitivity, and support the regulation of metabolic processes in the body.

However, experts emphasize that these results need to be interpreted cautiously. The study was only conducted on 40 women with type 2 diabetes, so there is insufficient evidence to confirm similar effectiveness in all individuals with hyperglycemia or dyslipidemia.

Furthermore, cucumber juice cannot replace medication or proven medical treatments. In practice, homemade cucumber juice is unlikely to retain all the active ingredients as shown in studies, while the daily consumption of many people often does not reach the recommended 240 ml/day.

In cases of fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, or persistent hyperglycemia, relying solely on diet is often ineffective and should not replace standard treatment.

Beyond diet, there is growing evidence suggesting that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in metabolic health. Modern studies indicate that imbalances in the gut microbiota may be linked to hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and various other metabolic disorders.

Habits such as prolonged late nights, lack of exercise, irregular eating habits, or an unhealthy lifestyle can deplete the number of beneficial bacteria and create conditions for harmful bacteria to thrive. This can cause low-grade chronic inflammation, which in turn increases the risk of visceral fat accumulation and metabolic disorders.

Therefore, in addition to research on supportive foods like cucumber juice, many scientists are also interested in solutions to regulate the gut microbiome to help control blood sugar and improve metabolic health. However, similar to cucumber juice, these measures are currently considered mainly as supportive tools and cannot replace proven treatments.

From a professional perspective, doctors believe that blood sugar control should be individualized for each person. For those with only mild hyperglycemia and no complications, dietary changes, increased consumption of fiber-rich vegetables, and regular exercise can provide significant benefits.

Meanwhile, individuals with co-morbidities such as fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, or metabolic syndrome require comprehensive monitoring and treatment involving nutrition, exercise, and medication as prescribed by their doctor.

Source: https://znews.vn/phat-hien-moi-ve-cong-dung-cua-dua-leo-post1655202.html