Cucumber is a good dietary source of fiber. Just a cucumber has up to 1.96 g of fiber, or 7% of the recommended daily intake!
How much fiber do we need a day?
We should consume adequate amounts of fiber every day. A high-fiber diet has been associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and certain gastrointestinal diseases. Also, it may lower elevated blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels, improve insulin sensitivity and enhance immune function![1]
We should consume at least 28 g of fiber per 2,000 calories. People who consume more calories should consume more fiber as well.
It’s rather unlikely to exceed the maximum dose of fiber. Actually, 90% of Americans fail to meet the recommended daily fiber intake!
What’s the fiber content of cucumber?
Cucumber has a moderate amount of fiber. It contains 0.7 g of fiber per 100g.[2]
A small, medium, and large cucumber has approximately 1.1 g, 1.4 g, and 1.96 g of fiber, respectively.
Therefore, just a cucumber can provide up to 7% of the recommended daily intake of fiber!
Prefer consuming organic cucumbers without peeling them. The skin is the richest part in fiber. But, the skin of non-organic foods may contain residues of pesticides.
Common foods high in fiber
Animal-based and refined foods contain no or negligible amounts of fiber.
Only vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, whole-grains, seeds, and nuts are good dietary sources of fiber. Beans have the highest fiber content, though. For instance, a serving of lentils provides more than 50% of the recommended daily intake!
Why should we eat cucumber regularly?
Eating cucumber regularly is good for our health. Cucumbers are low in calories, while they have a great satiating effect. Therefore, they’re ideal for weight loss.
In addition, cucumbers are pretty low in sugars while they contain some protein. So, people with diabetes and people who follow a ketogenic diet can consume them regularly.
Also, cucumber supports hydration. It’s almost 97% purified water. In addition, it’s a good dietary source of electrolytes and other essential minerals, such as iron!
Most noteworthy, cucumber has a cleansing action within the body. It helps remove old waste materials, chemical toxins, and heavy metals.[3,4]
