Health Beneficial Effects of Cucumber

Abstract

Cucumber is a healthy fruit which having lots of benefits. Cucumber regulates hydration and maintain adequate blood pressure and sugar, soothes skin, helped in digestion and reduces fat and help to weight loss. Cucumber contains a plenty of potassium, fiber, magnesium, manganese and vitamin A, C, K. Cucumber has several health beneficial activities such as antimicrobial properties, hydrating and detoxification, help in digestion and weight loss, preventing cancer and other fragile bone disease. In this book chapter we have discussed about the health beneficial activities of cucumber along with its different contents.

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1
Chapter
Health Beneficial Effects of
Cucumber
ShampaChakraborty and SadhanaRayalu
Abstract
Cucumber is a healthy fruit which having lots of benefits. Cucumber regulates
hydration and maintain adequate blood pressure and sugar, soothes skin, helped
in digestion and reduces fat and help to weight loss. Cucumber contains a plenty
of potassium, fiber, magnesium, manganese and vitamin A, C, K. Cucumber has
several health beneficial activities such as antimicrobial properties, hydrating and
detoxification, help in digestion and weight loss, preventing cancer and other frag-
ile bone disease. In this book chapter we have discussed about the health beneficial
activities of cucumber along with its different contents.
Keywords: cucumber, health impact
1. Introduction
Cucumbers (scientifically known as Cucumis sativus) belong to the same botani-
cal family as melons and squashes. Cucumbers are served into two types. “Slicing
cucumbers” for fresh consumption and “Pickling cucumbers” for eventual process-
ing into pickles. Slicing cucumbers are usually larger with skins, while pickling
cucumbers are smaller having thinner skins. Cucumbers are very low in calories but
contain important vitamins, minerals and high water content. Eating cucumbers
may lead to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydra-
tion, digestive regularity and lower blood sugar levels. The present chapter deals
with the different health beneficial effects of cucumber fruit as well as its contents.
Fresh cucumbers are one of the fantastic fruit. Eating habits of cucumber are great
as we are accustomed to eat cucumber with their seeds. This habit has an outstand-
ing health benefits. Cucumber seeds contain a wide variety of phytonutrients,
including both carotenoids and flavonoids.
2. Result and discussions
2.1 Antimicrobial activity
Khan et al. [1] reported that Cucumber have poor activity against Pseudomonas
aeruginosaonly. Osuagwu et al. [2] reported that ethanolic extracts of leaf have
antimicrobial property on pathogenic microorganisms for three human pathogens
S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi except E. coli pathogens. Sood et al. [3] reported
antimicrobial activity of seeds of Cucumber family- members Karella, Cucumber,
Tinda, Kaddu, loki. All seeds extracts are effective against Serratiamarcescens,

Studies on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
2
E. coli, Streptococcus thermophilous, and showed no inhibition against Asper-
gillusniger, Candida albicans. Mallik et al. [4] reported antifungal potentials of the
ethanol extract of Cucumber against six fungus. The diameter of zone of inhibition
have similar activity of the standard drug, Griseofulvin.
2.2 Phytochemical analysis
Sood et al. [5, 6] confirmed the presence of various phytochemicals like tannins,
cardiac glycosides, terpenoides, carbohydrates, resins, saponins and phytosterols.
Phytochemical screening by color visualization in cucumber showed the presence
of flavonoid, tannin, saponin and steroid. The spectrophotometric analysis showed
flavonoid 0.36% (w/w), phenol 0.40% (w/w), and, the by titrimetry found tan-
nin 2.82%.
2.3 Nutritional composition
Urooj et al. [7] reported that among all varieties, English, Zucchini and Pranic
healed cucumbers have contained highest moisture and lowest in Holenarasipur and
Dotted variety. Eghtedary et al. [8] reported twenty types of cucumber (Cucumis
sativus) from different regions. Khan [9] reported 24 genotypes of cucumber based
on Randomized Complete Block Design (RBCD) method.
Cucumber, sliced, raw 1.00 cup (104.00 grams) calorie-16.
3. Different types of nutrients in cucumber
Cucumber contains different types of flavonoids such as apigenin, diosmetin,
fisetin, luleolin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, theaflavanoside
I, vicenin. It also contains different types lignans pinoresinol, lariciresinol and
secoisolariciresinol and triterpenes like cucurbitacin A, cucurbitacin B, cucurbita-
cin C, cucurbitacin D.
3.1 Medicinal uses
Shrivastava et al. [10] reported that cucumber eating in daily basis can improve
hair growth and soothes skin, reduce swelling of eye. Cucumber juice can improve
the skin texture and cures skin infections, eczema. A piece of cucumber on the
Nutrient
Vitamin K 19%
Molybdenum 12%
Pantothenic acid 5%
Copper 4%
Phosphorus 4%
Vitamin C 4%
Biotin 3%
Vitamin B1 3%
Potassium 3%
Magnesium 3%
Manganese 3%

3
Health Beneficial Effects of Cucumber
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96053
head for a sun stroke patient can reduce the heat of the body. Cucumber can help
in weight loss and the mashed seeds with sugar before meal can reduce intestinal
worms and tape worms. Boiled cucumber leaves and cumin seed roasted pow-
ders can be used for throat infections. Kashif et al. [11] reported that cucumber
contained high potassium so it can help to keep normal blood pressure.
3.2 Different health beneficial activities of cucumber
Sharma et al. [12] proved that cucumber juice can acts against acidity and resist
to change in pH and have good carminative and antacid potential. Cucumber
has also eye soothner activities. Keeping cucumber slices on the eyes for about
10minutes relaxes our eyes and reduces puffiness around the eyes. Patil et al. [13]
investigated activity of cucumber extract in laboratory animals. They proved that
the aqueous extract of cucumber selected can reduce the induced bowel disease and
possessed active against ulcerative colitis. Patil et al. [14] investigated that cucum-
ber juice can have significant wound healing effect.
3.3 Hepatoprotective activity
Heidari et al. [15] investigated the activity of cucumber juice against cumene
hydroperoxide induced-oxidative stress and proved that cucumber can acts as
antioxidant agent. The cucumber extracts have antioxidants and radical scavenging
property. The extract help to form intracellular ROS.
3.4 Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity
Sharmin et al. [16] investigated Hypoglycemic effects of cucumber and proved
white pumpkin, gourd has anti hyperglycemic effects on Alloxan Induced Diabetic
Rats (AIDR). The extract can lessen the high lipid profiles in AIDRs. Therefore,
cucumber extracts can be useful, in the therapy of diabetes, hyperglycemia and
hyperlipidemia.
3.5 Hydration & detoxification
Cucumbers contains 96% water. Therefore, it helps to fill up the daily require-
ment of water by the body and keep body hydrated. In summers, people tend
to dehydrate easily. Consuming cucumber can make hydrate and it also acts as a
coolant and give relief from the summer heat. Cucumber and mint can use to make
detox water which effectively eliminates toxins from the body, improves hydration
and thus results in innumerable health benefits.
3.6 Reduce blood pressure
Cucumbers are a good source of potassium, magnesium and dietary fibre.
These nutrients are known to lower blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart
diseases. Research has also proved that regular consumption of cucumber juice was
helpful in reducing blood pressure, in elderly people with hypertension.
3.7 Digestion
Cucumbers act as a coolant for our stomach. The soluble fibre in cucumbers
helps in slowing our digestion. Also, the high content of water in cucumber makes
our stools soft, prevents constipation and keeps our bowel movements regular.

Studies on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
4
3.8 Reduces blood sugar
Cucumbers are known to reduce blood sugar levels, thus being helpful in the
management and prevention of diabetes mellitus.
3.9 Weight loss
Cucumbers contain 96% of water and are low in calories. There are only 15.5
calories in 100g of cucumber. High water and low-calorie content of cucumbers,
helps in reducing weight.
3.10 Skin
Cucumbers can enhance beauty and have good effects on the skin. Application
of cucumber juice on skin makes it soft and glowing. Anti-inflammatory effects of
cucumber naturally lighten our skin and reduce tanning. It also reduces wrinkles
and fine lines.
3.11 Reduces risk of cancer
The fibre in cucumbers protects from colorectal cancer. Also, cucurbitacin
present in cucumbers possesses anti-cancer properties. Tuama et al. [17] showed
cucumber extract is rich in bioactive compounds and have anticancer activity with
Cell lines of (IC50) with MCF 715.6±1.3 and HeLa 28.2±1.
4. Effect in hair, nails and breath
Cucumbers contain silica which is excellent for hair and nail care. They help
in strengthening the nails and prevent them from becoming brittle. Moreover,
phytochemicals present in cucumber destroy the bacteria in our mouth that cause
bad breath.
4.1 Antioxidant activity
Kumaraswamy [18] demonstrated that the yellow cucumber posses more anti-
oxidant activity where as While green and white cucumbers have low antioxidant
property. The antioxidant activity is due to the carotenoids, phenolic flavonoids,
tannins, polyphenols and lycopene, found in it. Mallik et al. [19] carried out an
study on the cytotoxic activity of cucumber extract in ethanol.
Cucumber, sliced, raw 1.00 cup (104.00 grams) calorie-16
Nutrient Amount DRI/ DV (%)
Protein 0.68g 1
Carbohydrate 3.78g 2
F a t -To t a l 0.11g 0
Dietary Fibers 0.52g 2
Calories 15.60 1
Total sugar 1.74g —
Monosaccharides 1.70g —

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Health Beneficial Effects of Cucumber
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96053
Cucumber, sliced, raw 1.00 cup (104.00 grams) calorie-16
Nutrient Amount DRI/ DV (%)
Fructose 0.90g —
Glucose 0.79g —
Galactose 0.00g —
Disaccharides 0.04g —
Lactose 0.00g —
Maltose 0.01g —
Sucrose 0.03g —
Soluble Fiber 0.06g —
Insoluble Fiber 0.46g —
Other carbohydrate 1.52g —
Fat
Monosaturated fat 0.01g —
Polysaturated fat 0.03g —
Saturated fat 0.04g —
Trans fat 0.00g —
Calories from fat 1.03 —
Insoluble fiber 0.46g —
Other carbohydrate 1.52g —
Calories from saturated fat 0.35 —
Calories from trans fat 0.00 —
Cholesterol 0.00 —
Wat er 99.04g —
Vitamins (water soluble)
Vitamin B1 0.03mg 3
Vitamin B2 0.03mg 2
Vitamin B3 0.10mg 1
Vitamin B3 (Niacin equivalent) 0.19mg
Vitamin B6 0.04mg 2
Vitamin B12 0.00 mcg 0
Biotin 0.94 mcg 3
Choline 6.24mg 1
Folate 7.28 mcg 2
Folate DFE 7.28 mcg
Folate food 7.28 mcg
Pantothenic acid 0.27mg 5
Vitamin C 2.91mg 4
Fat soluble vitamins
Vitamin A international unit 109.20IU —
Vitamin D 0.00IU 0
Vitamin K 17.06 mcg 19

Studies on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
6
5. Conclusion
Cucumber is an excellent and unusual food. A cup of cucumber contained 16
calorie with its peel (15 without) and 4 percent of your daily potassium, 3 percent
of your daily fiber and 4 percent of your daily vitamin C. Cucumbers also contained
small amounts of vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, manganese and
vitamin A among them Vitamin K is very important for bone health. Vitamin K
intake reduces fracture rates, and combine work with vitamin D can increase bone
density and positively affect calcium balance. Vitamin K helps in building bones
and the effects seem to be important for women. Low vitamin K levels were associ-
ated with low bone density in women, but not in men. Low intakes of vitamin K
were associated with an increased risk of hip fractures in middle-age women.
Acknowledgements
Authors thank the SERB (PDF/2016/002856) (Govt. of India) for financial
support and Knowledge Resource Center-NEERI for checking plagiarism. (KRC
No.:CSIR-NEERI/KRC/2021/Jan/EMD/1). SC acknowledges Director-NEERI for his
overall support.
Cucumber, sliced, raw 1.00 cup (104.00 grams) calorie-16
Nutrient Amount DRI/ DV (%)
Vitamin E 0.05IU
Minerals
Boron 0.00mg
Calcium 16.64mg 2
Chloride 0.00 —
Chromium 0.00 —
Copper 0.04 4
Fluoride 0.00 0
Iodine 0.00mg —
Iron 0.29mg 2
Magnesium 13.52mg 3
Manganese 0.08mg 3
Molybdenum 5.20 mcg 12
Phosphorus 24.96mg 4
Potassium 152.88mg 3
selenium 0.31 mcg 1
Sodium 2.08mg 0
Zinc 0.21mg 2
The nutrient profiles provided in this chapter are derived from The Food Processor, Version .., ESHA Research,
Salem, Oregon, USA.

7
Health Beneficial Effects of Cucumber
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96053
Author details
ShampaChakraborty* and SadhanaRayalu
Environmental Materials Division, National Environmental Engineering Research
Institute, Nagpur, India
*Address all correspondence to: shampa132@gmail.com
© 2021 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.

8
Studies on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
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