Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Vegetables. Modern nutrition and Dr. Sebi's list.
Also called English cucumber, Garden cucumber, Gherkin
Pinyin: Huáng Guā
Spanish: Pepino
A cool, watery fruit eaten as a vegetable in salads and pickles.
Did you know? Cucumbers are about 95 percent water, which is why they feel so cool to eat.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Digestion & gut health. Water and fiber in cucumber may help regular bowel movements. Human proof is limited.Traditional proof
- Skin. Cool cucumber slices on puffy eyes feel nice, but no good tests show they help.Not supported
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Cucumbers have been grown for thousands of years in India and Egypt. Folk use put cool slices on the skin for puffiness and sunburn, but this has little proof.
How it is classified
How people take it
Eat sliced in salads or pickled. Cucumber juice is a common drink. No dose is set for health.
Food and juice.
Where to get it
Grown in warm weather in fields and greenhouses worldwide. Sold fresh, pickled and as juice. Store cucumbers often have a food wax coating; peel or wash it off.
Be careful
Safe as food. Pickled cucumbers are high in salt, so watch sodium if you have high blood pressure. Some people with pollen allergies get an itchy mouth from raw cucumber.
Avoid if: ragweed allergy.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Cucumber and dill are common partners in pickles and yogurt sauces.
- Works well together
Cucumber, garlic and yogurt make Greek tzatziki.
The honest take
Cucumbers are a healthy, low-calorie food. Dr. Sebi's lists include cucumber, but no good research shows it helps any disease. Claims about puffy eyes or detox are not supported.