[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
Cucumbers contain many valuable nutrients as well as antioxidants that can help prevent many diseases. Additionally, they are low in calories and have a high water content, making them ideal for people who want to shed extra pounds. Cucumbers belong to the squash family and include approximately 55 species. What vitamins does cucumber contain? How many calories does it contain and what are its health benefits?
Before reading on
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The articles you’ll find on my site are the result of in-depth research that I’d like to share with you. However, I would like to stress that I am not a health professional and that my advice should in no way replace that of a qualified physician. I’m here to guide you, but it’s important that you consult a professional for specific questions or medical concerns. Your well-being is important. So be sure to consult the appropriate experts and take the best possible care of yourself.
Cucumber calories: 14.70 kcal per 100 g
100 g of cucumbers contain 14.70 calories (kcal), according to the Agency for Research and Information in Fruits and Vegetables (APRIFEL). But other authors estimate that 100 g of cucumber provides more than 10 kcal. A medium-sized cucumber (450 g) contains approximately 66.15 calories (kcal). To get an idea of the order of magnitude, keep in mind that the amount of calories from a medium-sized cucumber (450 g) is similar to the amount of calories from a large apple and 1. 5 teaspoon of sugar.
To burn this amount of calories 66.15 kcal, you must for example cycle for at least 4 minutes, swim for 3 minutes or run for 3 minutes.
One pickled cucumber contains about 7 calories. Depending on its size, this value increases slightly. Interestingly, pickled cucumbers contain fewer calories than regular raw cucumbers because the amount of carbohydrates is reduced due to fermentation.
Cucumber: Protein, carbohydrate and lipid content
Unlike other seasonal vegetables, cucumbers are eaten with their skins on. Because it is the part that contains the greatest concentration of nutrients. The calories in a cucumber come from 14% protein, 80% carbohydrates and 5% fat.
Cucumber Nutritional Values Table
| Nutrients | cucumber: content per 100 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 3.63g |
| -with sugar | 1.67g |
| -of which starch | 0.83g |
| -including dietary fiber | 0.5g |
| Proteins | 0.65g |
| Lipids | 0.11g |
| -including cholesterol | 0 mg |
| -of which saturates | 0.037g |
| Potassium | 147 mg |
| Sodium | 2mg |
| Water | 95.2g |
How much does the average cucumber weigh?
A cucumber weighs 450 g on average. According to Apritel, the average weight of a raw cucumber is 400g to 500g. Other specialists classify the average mass of the cucumber in the range of 250 g to 300 g.
What are the vitamin contributions of cucumber?
Cucumbers contain valuable vitamins for health. Beta-carotene is a natural substance that protects the skin against UV rays. So it is recommended to eat cucumbers in summer. The B vitamins contained in cucumbers support the proper functioning of the nervous system and metabolic changes, as they are part of coenzymes and enzymes.
What are the mineral contributions of cucumber?
Cucumber is a low-calorie vegetable and low in dietary fiber. It provides plenty of water, making it perfect for hot days. It contains potassium and in small amounts phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese and iodine. Along with low sodium intake, potassium protects against high blood pressure and water retention in the body.
Zinc is very important to the body because it is a component of more than 300 enzymes that catalyze metabolic reactions in the body. It is also important for men because it prevents prostate cancer and helps in the transformation of consumed alcohol. It also plays a role in protein metabolism.
Copper is a component of proteins and enzymes. It plays an important role in the processes of iron renewal in the body and in the production of hemoglobin. Iodine is an essential part of thyroid hormones, which are essential for proper metabolism, energy production and the maintenance of weight and body temperature.
Does cucumber contain food additives?
Cucumber is a plant food generally eaten fresh, shortly after harvest. It does not contain any food additives, in this case. On the other hand, pickled cucumbers contain antibacterial and antifungal additives. These are benzoic acid and sodium, potassium and calcium benzoates (E210, E211, E212, E213).
Does cucumber make you gain weight?
The main properties of cucumber concern its purifying and diuretic action, which is due to its high content of water, fiber and minerals. For this reason, cucumber is recommended in a slimming diet for those who want to eliminate excess fluids and cellulite accumulations. That said, cucumber does not make you gain weight. On the contrary, it makes you lose weight.
In fact, the water and fiber it is rich in help increase the feeling of satiety with very few calories. If correctly inserted into a balanced diet, it is very useful for losing weight in a healthy way.