Did it ever cross your mind to call a cucumber a fruit? It sounds weird, doesn’t it? But this simple veggie (or is it?) gets people talking. It’s an age-old debate—is it a fruit or vegetable?
In this piece, we’re looking into that. Beyond the name calling, we’ll also cover health benefits and potential risks. Plus, creative ways to use cucumbers and some common questions.
Did you know?
What do we know about the cucumber, officially known as Cucumis sativus? This gourd family member traces its roots back to Southeast Asia. It’s known worldwide for its long shape and bright green skin. It’s handy in salads, juices, pickles and more, making it a kitchen must-have.
Cucumbers, despite being full of water, are nutrient-rich. A half-cup serving (about 52 grams) provides the following:
While they don’t lead the pack, cucumbers play a part in a balanced diet.
Now, let’s break down these numbers in the table below.
| Nutrient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 8 |
| Total Fat | 0 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 2 grams |
| Protein | 0 grams |
| Fiber | 1 gram |
| Vitamin K | 11% of DV |
| Vitamin C | 2% of DV |
| Magnesium | 2% of DV |
| Potassium | 2% of DV |
Cucumbers are about 96% water. So they’re key for staying hydrated on hot summer days or after workouts.
Cucumbers are high in Vitamin K. This helps us absorb calcium and keep our bones strong. Half a cup gives us about 11% of our daily Vitamin K needs.
Cucumbers have anti-cancer compounds called cucurbitacins and lignans. Current research links these to possible cancer-fighting properties.
Cucumbers are heart-healthy. They’re packed with fiber and potassium which help us maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Cucumbers might help manage our blood sugar levels. Remember, always check with your healthcare provider before changing your diet.
With all this information about cruel cucumbers in mind, let’s tackle the main query.
In my experience, I have observed that consuming one cup of cucumber can provide approximately 11 per cent of your daily requirement for vitamin K. Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone health. By including cucumbers in your diet, you can help support these essential functions and contribute to your overall well-being.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
To classify a cucumber as a fruit or a veggie, we need to consider two angles: botanical and culinary.
From a scientific point of view, any product from flower fertilisation with seeds is a fruit. Cucumbers are no exception! They’re part of the Cucurbitaceae family, joining obvious fruits like melons and squash.
From the kitchen’s perspective, cucumbers feel at home with the veggies. This is due to their non-sweet taste and less frequent use in dessert-like typical fruits. Instead, they generally feature in salads, sandwiches and pickles, much like other vegetables.
Here’s how these classifications breakdown:
| Perspective | Classification |
|---|---|
| Botanical | Fruit |
| Culinary | Vegetable |
Based on what I know so far, I recommend incorporating cucumber into your skincare routine. Using cucumber as a toner can help soothe skin irritations, reduce redness, and calm inflammation caused by sunburns or insect bites. Additionally, consuming cucumbers regularly can provide benefits to your nails and hair due to their high mineral content, promoting strength and enhancing their appearance.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Before we discuss how to grow cucumbers, let’s explore the various types you might find at your local store.
The common types of cucumber include English, Persian and Kirby cucumbers. Each type has its uses: English cucumbers are great for salads while Kirby cucumbers are perfect for pickling.
Growing cucumbers at home is easy with the right conditions. They need ample sunlight, warm temperatures and regular watering. Just plant the seeds in good soil and monitor their growth.
Here are popular cucumber types and their uses:
| Type of Cucumber | Use |
|---|---|
| English Cucumber | Salads |
| Persian Cucumber | Salads and Pickles |
| Kirby Cucumber | Pickling |
Based on what I’ve seen, consuming one cup (roughly 52 g) of raw sliced cucumber with the peel intact provides a significant amount of water and contains approximately 8 calories. This makes cucumbers a low-calorie snack and hydrating food option.
Dr. Smita barode, BAMS
Cucumbers are not limited to just salads. Their mild flavour and refreshing crunch make them incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
Cucumber can be a key ingredient in Greek salads, tangy salsas, crunchy slaws, or even savoury stir-fries. They can also add hydration by being juiced or blended into smoothies.
Beyond the kitchen, cucumbers are popular in beauty routines and spa treatments. Thanks to their soothing, hydrating properties, they’re commonly used in DIY face masks and eye treatments.
Here are some exciting ways to use cucumbers:
| Cucumber Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Recipes | Greek Salad, Cucumber Salsa |
| Skincare | Face Masks, Eye Treatments |
Even though they’re typically safe to eat, there might be some risks or side effects when eating cucumbers.
Some people may find cucumbers hard to digest. That may cause indigestion or bloating.
Cucumbers are rich in Vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting. If you use blood-thinning medication, consult your healthcare provider before increasing your cucumbers intake.
Common allergic reactions to cucumbers are rare, but possible. Signs may include hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
Cucumbers have cucurbitacin. That’s a compound that can be toxic in large amounts. However, reasonable amounts of cucumber should not cause toxicity.
Here are the potential risks associated with cucumbers:
| Potential Risk | Details |
|---|---|
| Digestive Problems | May lead to indigestion or bloating |
| Blood Clotting Issues | High in Vitamin K, can interfere with blood thinners |
| Allergy | Rare but possible, symptoms include hives, swelling |
| Toxicity | Contains cucurbitacin, could lead to toxicity if eaten in very high amounts |
So, is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable? Turns out, it’s both. In the world of botany, it is a fruit. But in the culinary sphere, it’s a veggie. But does it really matter? We should focus more on its goodness.
Cucumbers are mostly water, but that does not mean they lack nutrients. They’re full of fibre, low in calories, and pack a hydrating punch. In any category, the nutritious cucumber deserves to be centre-plate.
Also Read: Benefits of Cucumber Water: A Deep Dive into Its Refreshing Wellness Perks
Cucumbers are great because they’re low in calories yet high in water and vitamin K. And they have unique compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that might help prevent diseases.
If we go by the science, the cucumber is a fruit. Why? Because it grows from a flower and has seeds.
Culinary practices see cucumbers as vegetables, not fruits. This is largely due to their taste and texture. Also, unlike most fruits, they star in savoury, not sweet, dishes.
While cucumbers are generally safe to eat, they can cause certain issues. These include digestive problems and blood clotting issues (due to high Vitamin K content). Allergies to cucumbers are also possible, though rare.
There are endless creative ways to enjoy cucumbers. Apart from salads, try them in gazpacho, salsa, smoothies, or even stir-fries for a surprising crunch. They’re also great in skincare routines.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Does chewing gum pose health risks? For generations, kids have been told that swallowed chewing gum can sit undigested in the gut for weeks, months, even years. There is a theory that pegs the number of years taken for the human body to digest chewing gum at 7. It is just another one of those tactics used by parents and elders to deter children from adopting an unhealthy habit by instilling in them a false fear of the consequences.Remember how your siblings, uncles, or aunts told you that swallowing a fruit seed could lead to tree sprouting in your gut? It took you a few years to figure how there was not an iota of truth to it. The myth that chewing gum can take years to digest is somewhat similar, except that complex jargon on chewing gum’s composition makes this theory harder to dispel. Here are some key facts to help you understand how the human body processes an ingested chewing gum and why it is not a reason for concern.
Male breast cancer seems impossible, doesn’t it? It is often thought of as a women-specific disease. Since men do not have breasts, the likelihood of them developing breast cancer is often overlooked. While male breast cancer is rare as it accounts for only one percent of all cases reported, it is still a health risk. The lack of awareness about the incidence of male breast cancer further compounds the problem. As most men do not worry about something being amiss with their virtually non-existent breasts, the concept of self-examination is unheard of, which often leads to a delayed diagnosis. Besides, the small amount of breast tissue in male bodies makes early detection of these cancers harder and increases the risk of malignancy spreading to the surrounding body tissues.
In the wake of these facts, debunking the myths around male breast cancer becomes even more imperative. Here’s what you need to know about this rare condition:
Men do not have breasts, then how is it possible to develop cancer in an organ that does not even exist – that is the first question that comes to mind when the possibility of breast cancer in men is mentioned.
While it is true that men do not have breasts in the conventional sense, they do have some amount of breast tissue. The breast tissue in a man’s body is comparable to that of young girls before they hit puberty. In women, the breast tissue grows owing to hormonal changes, but in the case of men, it doesn’t.
Be that as it may, it’s still breast tissue, which means men too are at risk of developing malignant growth in this area.
Breast cancer is most often found in women, but men can get breast cancer too. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man. Risk factors include family history, BRCA gene mutation in family members. Early diagnosis and treatment will cure the disease by upto 90%.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
As mentioned before, the likelihood of a man developing breast cancer is a lot less than a woman. The chances of men under 35 years of age developing breast cancer are minimal. The risk grows with age, and most breast cancers in men are reported between ages 60 to 70. Since there is often a delay in diagnosis, the possibility that cancer has been sitting around for some time before it is detected cannot be ruled out. Like all other forms of cancer, the exact cause of male breast cancer remains elusive. However, some of the identified risk factors include:
– Finding a lump or a swelling which may be painless
– Dimpling or puckering of the skin around the breast region
– Nipples turning inwards or retracted
– The scaly skin around the breast and redness
– Some discharge from the nipples
At times this type of cancer spreads to the lymph nodes under the arms or even around the collarbone region. It occurs as swelling or lump. This may happen even before a tumor in the breast is found which is large enough to be noticed or felt.
However, not all of these changes may indicate male breast cancer. But if these changes do occur, one should consult their doctor.
If a male isn’t diagnosed with breast cancer but has a positive family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancer, or who has a family member who was found to have an inherited gene mutation that increases the risk of cancer, should also consider getting genetic testing, having first-degree relatives increase your chances of having breast cancer in the future.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Male breast cancer signs or the breast cancer presents the same symptoms in men as women, and the most telling sign is a lump in the chest. Many a time, men may not notice these unusual growths until they develop more alarming symptoms like bleeding from the nipples, which is often a sign that cancer has spread.
Like in women, male breast cancer is diagnosed through tests such as mammography and biopsy, besides physical examination. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, or biological therapy may be advised.
Even though male breast cancer is rare, it doesn’t hurt to keep a vigilant eye on any unnatural developments in the body. Timely detection is often the best cure when it comes to cancer, as the odds of taming the growth of malignant cells and recovery are much higher in the initial stages.
Also Read: Male Yeast Infection: An In-depth Look at Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
‘Drink Eight Glasses of Water a Day!’ You have probably read about this and heard this long and often enough to believe that it is the gospel truth for keeping your body adequately hydrated. However, drinking eight glasses of water a day is nothing more than a popularly propagated health myth.Indeed, keeping your body duly hydrated contributes to your overall health and well-being, as every cell in your body needs fluids for proper functioning. Even slight dehydration can interfere with the body’s ability to function well and manifest itself in form symptoms such as light-headedness, irritability and headaches.It is, perhaps, this fear of dehydration that has led self-proclaimed health experts and overzealous fitness trainers to put a number on the daily water requirement of the human body. Be that as it may, it is not possible to generalize the water requirement of the entire human race. The 8-glasses-a-day is but a generalized figure that may or may not meet, or even exceed your body’s requisite water intake.
If we had a dime for every time someone told us that sitting too close to the television can result in poor eyesight, we would all be millionaires today. But we are not, and that’s because this is just another popular myth that found its feet in our grandparents’ time and has since been handed down the generations.If you still beat yourself up about watching the television from up close or chide your children for doing it, it may be time to consign this information to the myths folder, as there is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the claim that being in close vicinity of the television screen can hamper your eyesight or cause severe eye damage.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Pressing your joints, especially knuckles, until you hear them pop is something everyone has indulged in at some point in their lives. Many of you may have been cautioned against it by the elders in the family, citing the risk of arthritis. However, medical research has dispelled this traditional belief that cracking one’s joints can lead to arthritis as just another old wives’ tale. In short, cracking joints and arthritis have no connection! Here’s why:Cracking of Joints Does Not Cause ArthritisHearing your joints let out a loud pop can be a tad unsettling. In a time when medical science still was not developed enough to establish the cause and effect link between every minute action of the human body, co-relating cracking of joints to arthritis and other painful joint conditions was an easy assumption to make.However, researchers have now studied the tendency of popping of knuckle and other joints, known as crepitus in medical terms, long enough to conclude with certainty that the action is in no way linked to arthritis. A study on ‘crepitus and risk for hand osteoarthritis’ found that the risk of arthritis in knuckle crackers was no higher than that for non-crackers. The same is true for other joints such as knees, hips, or elbows.Read More: 6 Arthritis Symptoms To Watch Out ForWhat Causes the Popping Sound in the Joints?Crepitus or the popping sounds caused by bending your joints at a particular angle is caused by the release of tiny bubbles of gas that get accumulated slowly in synovial fluid – the fluid surrounding the joints. A sudden pull in the joints results in the release of these gas bubbles, and you hear a pop.This also explains why your joints pop more loudly on some days than others. Crepitus is a harmless condition that neither signals an underlying medical condition such as arthritis nor can lead to it. However, if the cracking happens involuntarily and is accompanied by pain, it could be a sign of abnormalities in the joint structures such as an injured ligament or loose cartilage.People who have arthritis, as well as other joint problems such as tendinitis or bursitis, may notice cracking sounds due to a snap in the swollen or irregular tissue structures. In short, cracking sounds, when accompanied by pain, could be a symptom of arthritis but not a cause.Also Read: Zerodol SPDoes that Mean You Can Indulge in this Habit as You Like?Well, cracking your knuckles as an act of relaxation once in a while is harmless. However, if you are a habitual joint cracker, you may want to make a conscious effort to rein in your tendency to pull and tug at your joints. A medical study comparing hand movements of people who cracked their knuckles with those who didn’t found that frequent knuckle crackers can be at risk of developing swelling in their hands and a weaker grip. Similarly, excessive cracking can compromise the optimum function of all other joints in the long run. It is also considered a nervous habit, much like biting nails or shaking legs.Like with everything else in life, moderation is the key when it comes to your joint cracking tendencies too. In any case, it won’t give you arthritis, of that you can be sure.Also Read: Arthritis Diet – Food That Is Good For ArthritisDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
