Why should you eat cucumber every day?

(Dan Tri) - According to experts, adding cucumbers to the daily diet is not only good for diabetics, but for normal people, eating cucumbers also helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Low-starch vegetables

Cucumbers are a low-carb vegetable, making them safe for diabetics. They are less likely to affect blood sugar levels.

In response to the question of whether diabetics should eat cucumbers, experts say that you can eat cucumbers when you have diabetes. Because cucumbers contain very few carbohydrates, you can eat as much cucumber as you like without worrying about increasing your blood sugar levels.

Cucumbers have a low glycemic index and little starch, so they can satisfy the cravings of diabetics (Illustration: Getty).

The American Diabetes Association considers cucumbers a non-starchy vegetable, helping diabetics satisfy their cravings.

A 2011 study from Newcastle University even suggested that a low-calorie diet based on non-starchy vegetables could be effective in reversing type 2 diabetes.

Very low glycemic index

Cucumbers are in the same plant family as cantaloupe and squash. They are low in calories and rich in nutrients. A half cup of sliced ​​cucumbers contains about 1.89g of carbohydrates; 0.3g of fiber; 0.87g of sugar; 0.34g of protein; and 0.06g of fat.

Meanwhile, cucumber provides many vitamins such as vitamin B, C, K, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus...

Furthermore, cucumbers are a rich source of plant chemicals with protective or disease-preventing properties, known as phytonutrients, such as: flavonoids, triterpenes

The glycemic index (GI) is useful in indicating the effect of food on blood sugar levels. Foods with a high glycemic index will increase the blood sugar levels in the body. The glycemic index of cucumber is 15, any food with an index below 55 is considered low.

Comparing the GI index of other foods with cucumber, such as grapefruit is 25, apple is 38, banana is 52, watermelon is 72... shows that the glycemic index in cucumber is very low.

There have been animal studies linking cucumbers to blood sugar lowering, but there are limitations:

A 2011 study concluded that diabetic rats had reduced blood sugar levels after nine days of consuming cucumber seed extract.

Another 2012 study showed that phytonutrients found in cucumbers were linked to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic rats.

A 2014 research paper published in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research demonstrated that cucumber pulp can be effectively used to treat and control diabetes in mice.

However, more research is needed to clearly show cucumber's ability to reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

The Clinical Nutrition Center, K Hospital (Hanoi), cited an article in the International Journal of Health Services, experimental research showing that cucumbers can help prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

133g of cucumber with the peel provides about 1g of fiber. Fiber may help protect against colorectal cancer. Cucumbers also contain a variety of B vitamins, vitamin A, and antioxidants, including a type called lignans.

Studies have suggested that lignans in cucumbers and other foods may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Additionally, cucumbers help promote heart health. The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that fiber can help control cholesterol and prevent related heart problems. 142g of unpeeled cucumbers provide 193mg of potassium and 17mg of magnesium. The cucurbitacins in cucumbers may also help prevent atherosclerosis.

Cucumbers can play an important role in controlling and preventing diabetes. They contain substances that can help lower blood sugar levels or prevent blood sugar from rising too high. According to the American Heart Association, fiber can also help prevent and control type 2 diabetes. In addition, cucumbers have a low glycemic index (GI), which is good for diabetics.

Cucumbers are mostly water and also contain important electrolytes. They can help prevent dehydration in hot weather or after exercise. Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining a healthy gut, preventing constipation, avoiding kidney stones, etc.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/vi-sao-nen-an-dua-chuot-moi-ngay-20251117104808394.htm