Is Cucumber Good for Diabetes?
Diabetes is a common problem among people. The most common symptom is persistently high blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should consume foods with a low glycemic index and low carb density.
The glycemic index is a food rating system based on carbohydrates in foods. Your body breaks down the carbohydrates and helps them dissolve into the body’s blood sugar level. Therefore, it results in high blood sugar levels in the human body.
There are many foods known to control diabetes, one of which is cucumber. It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is known for its digestive properties.
Cucumber is a non-starchy vegetable, making it harmless for people with diabetes. A study suggests that adding non-starchy vegetables to the diet effectively controls type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, you can eat cucumber as much as possible as it is low in carbohydrates. Low carb diet improves blood sugar and manages diabetes effectively.
Nutritional Composition of Cucumber
According to the USDA, the nutritional composition in 100 g of cucumbers is:
- Water: 94.7 g
- Energy: 14 kcal
- Protein: 0.48 g
- Total Lipid: 0.43 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.99 g
- Glucose: 0.63 g
- Fructose: 0.65 g
- Total Dietary Fibre: 1 g
- Potassium: 112 mg
- Sodium: 808 mg
- Iron: 0.23 mg
- Calcium: 54 mg
Benefits Of Adding Cucumber To Your Diabetes Diet
Rich in Antioxidants
Cucumbers are rich in vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Flavonoids. It makes it an antioxidant to prevent an oxidative reaction in your body. Your body’s cells release large amounts of electrons in an oxidation reaction. A study shows that the antioxidants present in vitamin C help reduce the complications of diabetes. Whereas vitamin E helps improve glycemic control in people with diabetes.
Extremely Hydrating
Cucumbers contain 95% water, which makes them highly hydrating. Water is responsible for the emission of harmful waste materials, transport of nutrients and thermal regulation. Therefore, consuming cucumbers can help you meet most of your fluid requirements.
Studies show that people with diabetes should drink plenty of fluids because they are at increased risk of dehydration due to polyurea in them. In addition, since high blood sugar levels reduce hydration, it is essential to replenish the necessary fluids in the body.
Regulate Bowel Movements
A study shows that people with diabetes are more likely to suffer from the problem of constipation. Diabetes damages the nerves of the intestines, causing issues with the movement of food in the stomach. Therefore, it is necessary to have regular bowel movements to cure it.
Cucumbers contain a moderate quantity of dietary fibre, which helps cure chronic constipation. The antioxidant properties of this vegetable helps in detoxifying your body. Fibre binds with faecal matter in the human body to increase the size and density of stools. Thus, fibre cleans the intestine and regulates bowel movements to prevent constipation.
Rich in Fibre
Fibre is suitable for a person with diabetes or people showing symptoms of diabetes. Since fibre regulates blood sugar levels and helps maintain good health, people with diabetes should get a good amount of fibre.
Cucumber contains fibre and sufficient amounts of water as constituents of its nutritional composition. They are also not energy-dense and contain minimal calories concerning their mass. According to a study, foods with high fibre help in managing diabetes.
Other Miscellaneous Benefits of Cucumber for Diabetes
According to various studies, triterpenes, which reduce blood sugar levels, can halt the formation of enzymes required to develop insulin resistance. They also help in the stabilisation of plasma glucose levels. Triterpenes are substances that are known to restore the imbalance in glucose metabolism. It also aids in curing diabetic disorders such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Cucumbers also have a very low glycemic index and provide nutrition without too many calories. Therefore, this fruit proves to be a healthy and easy way to maintain nutrition and avoid sugars, especially for people with diabetes.
Recipes
Cucumber Salad Recipe
As cucumber is a salad ingredient, here is a simple salad recipe that you can easily make with cucumber.
- Serving: 4 people
- Quantity: 1 full cup
- Preparation Time: 15 mins
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 70kcal
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0g
- Sodium: 5g
- Total Carbohydrate: 4g
- Dietary Fibre: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Potassium: 280mg
Ingredients
- Black Pepper: ⅛ tsp
- Red Wine Vinegar: 2 tbsp
- Cherry tomatoes: 10
- Large Cucumber: 300 g
- Olive Oil: 1½ tbsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
Preparation Method
- Peel the cucumber and cut it into two halves.
- Slice the cucumber into large chunks.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Take a big size bowl to put the sliced cucumber and cherry tomatoes.
- Add a pinch of salt followed by black pepper.
- Add the measured amount of vinegar and olive oil.
- Whisk the ingredients together and garnish with freshly chopped coriander if you want.
These recipes are ideal for people with diabetes as all the ingredients effectively maintain the blood sugar level. In addition, these easy recipes contain essential nutrients and are also healthy to consume anytime to fulfil your appetite.
Quick and Easy Cucumber Pickle Recipe
Several interesting cucumber recipes can be nutritious and tasty as well. The quickest, easiest, and most famous is the cucumber pickle.
It serves 3-4 people. Here is a simple homemade recipe to rip the benefits of cucumber:
Cup: 250 ml
Ingredients:
- Water: 1 cup
- Vinegar: ⅓ cup
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Sliced Garden Cucumber: 2 cups
- Onion: ½ cup
Preparation Method
- Take a big bowl.
- Add water, vinegar and salt. Stir it with a large spoon until the salt dissolves completely.
- Add sliced garden cucumbers and onions to the brine.
- Make sure everything is entirely soaked in the brine. Otherwise, you need to make more brine.
- Taste the mixture and add ingredients as per your need.
- Transfer the mixture to a big jar to refrigerate it overnight. The flavour comes gradually.
Add-on Tips
- White vinegar is the traditional vinegar used to make cucumber pickle.
- The outer layer of cucumbers can get less crisp as time goes by.
- You can use the brine more than once, and for that, you have to add more cucumbers.
Potential Risks Involved with Consuming Cucumbers
Cucumber has many benefits, although there are also some risks involved that a person who has diabetes should look after.
May Cause Indigestion or Slow Digestion
Cucumbers are rich in triterpenes or cucurbitacins, making them highly toxic and may cause harmful reactions in some people. Cucurbitacins are mostly multiplex compounds found in plants. If you consume cucumber in excess, poor digestion, allergies or blood clotting problems may occur. In addition, consuming excessive cucumber slows down the digestion process and can lead to indigestion.
Excess to Vitamin K is Harmful
According to a recent study, vitamin K in cucumbers has anti-hemorrhagic properties. However, it causes blood clotting in the brain and other bone and vascular diseases if taken in massive amounts.
Excess Cucumber can Cause Allergy
If you are allergic to cucumber, swelling or hives around your mouth, throat, and tongue can occur. Itchy skin is another problem you may experience if you have allergies to cucumbers. However, you can try to cook it, which will remove the risk of allergies.
The Conclusion
Cucumber is nutritious and contains vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. In addition, cucumber has a low calorie and low glycemic index, and it increases metabolism and maintains osmoregulation. Thus it is suitable for people with diabetes.
Cucumber, rich in antioxidant properties, helps reduce many health risks. It is an excellent addition to your diet to control your blood sugar levels and indigestion. Thus people with diabetes can consume this fruit without any problem. It also helps in hydrating the body. You can include it in your daily diet to see its benefits. But do not consume it in excess, or it will lead to blood clotting. If you are allergic to cucumber, it is better to avoid it.
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