Cucumbers are one of the most used and common vegetables in our regular diets. They are healthy and highly beneficial for humans for plenty of different purposes. They contain low carbohydrates and cholesterol and are rich in essential minerals and nutrients. They can be used in plenty of ways in regular diet, as you can add them to a salad, snack on them raw, or make slices of them and add them in sandwiches – possibilities are endless.
The refreshing flavor of cucumbers can entice anyone during hot summers. It is considered essential in salads during summers. This refreshing flavored veggie is packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin K, iron, calcium, phosphorus, folate, zinc, and silica. One of the best things about cucumbers is that they are a super house of water storage that can fill you up quickly.
Cucumbers also prove as a great medicine to treat your heartburn. The question that people ask and are confused about is whether they are acidic or not? In which category do they fall? What is their pH level?
Well….. You are not away to know the answer to all these questions; keep reading to know all about Cucumbers and their acidic level.
Are Cucumbers Acidic?
So, Cucumbers are alkaline that contain no fat. That’s why eating cucumbers in regular life do not likely cause any stomach issues. However, it is always recommended not to serve them in salads with tomatoes, onions, or hot peppers, as all these veggies can worsen your acidic reflux, GERD symptoms, or heartburn. So the pH level of cucumbers makes them fall in the category of alkaline food, which is safer for people with hurt burns and acidic reflux.
As long as they are not served with any acidic food, marinades, or vinegary sauce, the cucumbers prove safe to consume and remain alkaline.
The pH level of cucumbers
The pH level of cucumber is generally between 5.1 and 5.7. The foods that have a pH of 4.6 or below are considered acidic and can the stomach issues and GERD symptoms.
Be sure to take fresh cucumbers with dark green skin, no black or yellow spots, and solid flesh through the length. If the cucumber has a pale green stem with a yellow or dry end, it simply has no freshness. Also, if the diameter of the cucumber is too big, it is too seasoned and has a big seed in the middle.
Cucumber and Acidic Reflux
Acidic reflux happens when the sphincter muscle present at the lower end of your esophagus contracts at the wrong time. This function allows the stomach acid to back up into your esophagus. It causes a burning sensation in the middle of your chest – heartburn. The leading cause of acidic reflux is acidic food. According to the food administration, food with a pH level of 4.6 or below is considered acidic.
However, vegetables (except a few) do not cause acid reflux as they are alkaline. Cucumbers also fall in the category of alkaline foods as they have a pH between 5.1 and 5.7. So the cucumbers do not have any link with Acidic Reflux, but just be careful and do not eat them with any spicy food or any acidic food.
Cucumber to treat Acidic Reflux
Cucumbers are a great source of two essential elements needed for healthy digestion; water and fiber. If you are suffering from acidic reflux, you should know that drinking water can help suppress acute symptoms of acidic reflux by raising the stomach pH. As cucumbers are rich in water, so taking cucumbers may also have similar effects. Water and alkaline potassium, which are present in the cucumbers, make them slightly diuretic that helps to ease bloating.
How to eat Cucumbers to treat acidity?
Heartburn, bloating, nausea, gas, and stomach discomfort all cause discomfort that can also affect the regular activities of your life. Using pills in this situation can also be helpful, but not all people like to take medicines and look for a natural treatment. So, it will be a wonder to know that eating raw cucumber can also be a beneficial and natural treatment to reduce acidity.
You can eat cucumber plain or add some ingredients that ease acidity, including cottage cheese, plain yogurt, carrot, mint, or raw garlic. You can add grated cucumber to your regular salads, but avoid adding much vinegar as it cancels out cucumber’s natural anti-acid effect.
The nutritious fact of cucumbers:
Cucumbers are a great vegetable to benefit your health. They are highly filled with water that fills you up quickly. They also prove great when you want to lose weight. Cucumbers have 95% of water and contain only 16 calories per cup. One cucumber can give you the following nutrients;
- 7g protein
- 1g fat
- 8g crabs
- 3 percent potassium of DV (daily use)
- 5 percent copper of DV
- 3 percent Vitamin C of DV
- 5 percent Vitamin B5 of DV
- 4 percent magnesium of DV
Potassium, one of the most abundant minerals present in cucumbers, helps regulate the fluid level in the body and supports normal cell functions. Usually, fruits that are rich in nutrients are not considered suitable for those with GERD. But eating cucumbers boost up potassium intake without worsening heartburn. see also Cucumber Nutrition Value and Calories per 100 Grams
According to one study, cucumbers contain bioactive compounds with anti-oxidants, detoxifying effects, and anti-diabetes. They may also relieve constipation as they are filled with high water content.
See also : Are Onions Acidic?
Benefits of eating cucumbers:
Cucumbers are low in calories but rich in many essential vitamins and minerals and have high water content. You should eat raw cucumbers because they are more effective than cooked cucumbers. They are the best hydrating food for summers. Eating cucumbers led to numerous health benefits, including;
Alkaline producing agent:
Cucumbers work excellent to produce alkalizing effects in your body. They are excellent for people who have acidic bodies because of having bad diets. Having a body slightly alkaline is essential if you wish to keep your body healthy.
Great for skin:
Cucumbers can also be used to treat many types of skin problems, including dark circles, swelling, sunburn, or puffiness under the eyes. Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, two primary compounds of cucumbers, helps to prevent water retention.
Strengthen the connective tissues:
Cucumbers are a great source of silica. It is a beautiful mineral, a trace mineral that highly contributes to give strength to connective tissues. Connective tissues in our body hold our body together; they include inter-cellular cement, tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, and bone.
Hair growth:
Cucumber is rich in sulfur and potassium, stopping hair fall and stimulating hair growth. Cucumber juice provides all the essential nutrients needed for hair growth like sodium, calcium, sulfur, silicon, etc. you can also add mint leaves and carrots in the cucumber juice to increase this function.
Cucumber works as a diuretic:
Cucumber contains high water content that helps cleanse the body by removing toxic and old materials out of the body. Cucumbers prove great for people with joint pain or arthritis as they also remove uric acid from the body. Moreover, magnesium in the cucumbers relaxes the nerve muscles and keeps blood circulation smooth.
As cucumbers are loaded with potassium and contain less sodium, they inhibit the production of nitric acid and inflammatory enzymes and reduce swelling.
Prevent stomach issues:
Cucumbers contain fiber of about 2 grams in a standard serving that is high for a vegetable. This fiber helps prevent stomach issues, absorb stomach acid, and make cucumber an ideal food for people with GERD.
Most of the cucumber’s fiber is present in its skin, so you should eat them unpeeled to enjoy the maximum benefits. But be sure to wash them properly before using them to avoid any pesticides that are frequently sprayed on them.
Help in weight loss:
Cucumbers have zero fat with low calories and are 95% of water; this could be amazing for people looking for weight loss. As cucumbers are nationally dense, so you can eat more and feel satisfied.
To stimulate the weight loss process, you can add cucumbers in salads or just eat them as it is; moreover, you can add a dash of lemon juice, black pepper, and salt to it.
Improves heart health:
Cucumbers contain lignans that can boost the immune system and anti-inflammatory effects that help fight against cardiovascular diseases.
Magnesium and potassium in cucumbers are highly beneficial to healthier blood pressure levels. In addition, it is also great to control nerve functioning, heartbeat regulation, fluid balance, better blood sugar levels, and higher energy expenditure.
To enjoy all the benefits, it is recommended to choose a cucumber that has been originally grown because cucumbers are one of the foods on which pesticides residues have been most frequently found.
Keeps the body hydrated:
An adult must take 12 cups, which is about three-quarters of water every day. Around one-quarter of that usually comes from fruits. By taking cucumbers, you can maximum fill up the need of your body’s water as they contain 95 percent of water. Without fulfilling the required amount of water, you can get dizzy and sick. So eating them keeps your body hydrated and active. For more detailed informations take a look here