Cucumber

Cucumber, with peel, raw

Source: USDA Nutrient Database. Protein daily value based on ISSN Position Stand for an individual weighing ~150 lbs.

Cucumbers FAQ

Table of Contents

• Are cucumbers keto?
• Are cucumbers low FODMAP?
• Are cucumbers high in potassium?
• Are cucumbers high fiber?
• Do cucumbers contain sugar?
• Does cucumber contain carbs?
• Does cucumber contain protein?
• Are cucumbers high in sodium?
• Do cucumbers contain B vitamins?
• Are cucumbers a good source of Iron?
• Are cucumbers high in Calcium?
• Are cucumbers high in Magnesium?
• Are cucumbers high in Vitamin C?
• Do cucumbers contain lectins?
• Are cucumbers low oxalate?
• Are cucumbers high histamine?
• Are cucumbers high in acid?
• Are cucumbers high in phosphorus?
• Are cucumbers high in purines?
• Is cucumber high in uric acid?
• Do cucumbers contain Vitamin K?
• Are cucumbers good for fertility?
• Are cucumbers paleo?
• Are cucumbers vegan?
• What are some alternatives to cucumber?
• Do cucumbers boost testosterone?
• Does cucumber increase estrogen?
• Does cucumber increase libido?
• Is cucumber gluten free?
• Are cucumbers kosher?

Are cucumbers keto?

Yes, cucumbers are keto-friendly since they are low in carbohydrates. A half cup of sliced cucumbers contains about 1.9 grams of carbohydrates, which is a very small portion of the recommended daily intake of 20 to 50 grams for a typical ketogenic diet.

Are cucumbers low FODMAP?

Yes, cucumbers are categorized as a low FODMAP food, meaning they are low in certain types of carbohydrates that could potentially cause digestion issues in some people. They can thus be safely included in a low-FODMAP diet.

Are cucumbers high in potassium?

Cucumbers contain moderate amounts of potassium. A 142 gram serving of cucumber, or about one cup of sliced cucumber, contributes around 152 milligrams of potassium, which is approximately 3% of the 4,700 mg daily recommended intake. Therefore, although cucumbers do contain potassium, they are not considered an especially high source.

Are cucumbers high fiber?

Cucumbers contain some dietary fiber, but they are not particularly high in fiber when compared to other fruits and vegetables. One cup of sliced cucumber contains about 0.8 grams of fiber, which is roughly 2-3% of the recommended 25-38 grams daily intake. Therefore, while cucumbers can contribute to your daily fiber intake, they should not be relied upon as a main source.

Do cucumbers contain sugar?

Yes, cucumbers do contain sugar but in very low quantities. A medium-sized cucumber (about 150 grams) contains around 1.7 grams of sugar. This is a minor quantity compared to the recommended daily intake for sugar, which is no more than 50 grams daily for an adult.

Does cucumber contain carbs?

Yes, cucumbers do contain carbohydrates but they are low in carbs. A medium-sized cucumber contains approximately 3.6 grams of carbohydrates. Considering the daily Carbohydrate Reference Intake (CRI) is about 300 grams, cucumbers contribute a very minor portion to your daily carb intake.

Does cucumber contain protein?

Though not a significant source of protein, cucumbers do contain a very small amount of protein. A medium-sized cucumber contains approximately 0.7 grams of protein. For reference the recommended daily intake for an average sedentary woman is 46g and 56g for men.

Are cucumbers high in sodium?

No, cucumbers are not high in sodium. A medium-sized cucumber contains only about 2 milligrams of sodium, which is significantly less than the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of 2,300 milligrams. Thus, consuming cucumbers is not a major concern for dietary sodium intake.

Do cucumbers contain B vitamins?

Yes, cucumbers do contain some B vitamins, specifically B5 (Pantothenic Acid). A whole, raw cucumber with the peel contains approximately 0.5 mg of Vitamin B5. The recommended daily value of Vitamin B5 is about 5 mg for adults, so a cucumber provides about 10% of the daily requirement.

Are cucumbers a good source of Iron?

No, cucumbers are not a good source of iron. A whole, raw cucumber with the peel provides about 0.3 mg of iron, which is only about 1.5% of the recommended daily value for an adult, which is 18 mg.

Are cucumbers high in Calcium?

No, cucumbers are not high in calcium. A whole, raw cucumber with the peel only contains about 40 mg of calcium. Considering that the recommended daily value for calcium is 1000 mg for adults, a cucumber only represents about 4% of this amount.

Are cucumbers high in Magnesium?

Cucumbers do contain magnesium, but they are not particularly high in this nutrient. A whole, raw cucumber with the peel contains about 40 mg of magnesium. The recommended daily value is approximately 320-420 mg for adults, so a cucumber covers about 10-13% of the daily requirement.

Are cucumbers high in Vitamin C?

No, cucumbers are not considered high in Vitamin C. A medium-sized cucumber, with the peel, provides about 4.7 milligrams of Vitamin C, which is about 5.2% of the recommended daily value of 90 milligrams for men and about 6.3% of the recommended daily value of 75 milligrams for women.

Do cucumbers contain lectins?

Yes, cucumbers do contain a small amount of lectins. However, the amount of lectins found in cucumbers is quite low compared to other foods, and is generally not of concern unless you have a specific sensitivity or are following a low-lectin diet.

Are cucumbers low oxalate?

Yes, cucumbers are considered low oxalate. They contain about 1.1 milligrams of oxalate per half cup serving. By contrast, a food is considered high in oxalates if it contains more than 10 milligrams of oxalates per serving.

Are cucumbers high histamine?

No, cucumbers are not considered high in histamine and are often recommended for those following a low-histamine diet. However, everyone’s tolerance to histamine varies, and some individuals with histamine intolerance might react to cucumbers. Always listen to your body.

Are cucumbers high in acid?

No, cucumbers are not high in acid. They actually have a neutral to slight alkaline pH, typically about 5.12-5.78 on the pH scale, where 7 is neutral.

Are cucumbers high in phosphorus?

No, cucumbers are not high in phosphorus. A one-cup serving of sliced cucumbers contains only about 24 mg of phosphorus, which is around 3% of the recommended daily value for adults (700 mg).

Are cucumbers high in purines?

No, cucumbers are not high in purines. They contain about 7.58 milligrams of purines per 100 grams serving, which is considered low. High-purine foods usually contain 100-1000 milligrams per 100 grams.

Is cucumber high in uric acid?

No, cucumber is not high in uric acid. Foods themselves do not contain uric acid but high-purine foods can contribute to the amount of uric acid in the body. As cucumbers are low in purines, they do not significantly contribute to the body’s uric acid levels.

Do cucumbers contain Vitamin K?

Yes, cucumbers do contain Vitamin K. In fact, one medium-sized cucumber with peel (approximately 200 grams) contains 49.4 micrograms of Vitamin K. This is approximately 62% of the recommended daily value, which stands at 80 micrograms for most adults.

Are cucumbers good for fertility?

Cucumbers are indeed beneficial for fertility, but not because they directly boost fertility rates. They are comprised of about 95% water, which helps keep the body hydrated — a crucial factor for optimal reproductive function. They also contain a fair amount of Vitamin B, specifically B5, which helps the body manage stress, a factor that can affect fertility. However, cucumber should not be relied upon as an exclusive solution for fertility issues.

Are cucumbers paleo?

Yes, cucumbers are suitable for the paleo diet. They are a naturally grown vegetable free from any sort of processing or added sugars, making them a good fit for a diet which emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods.

Are cucumbers vegan?

Yes, cucumbers are vegan. They are a plant-based food item and do not involve any animal byproducts or processes in their growth and preparation.

What are some alternatives to cucumber?

There are several vegetables that you can substitute for cucumbers in your recipes. For raw usage, zucchini, squash, and celery can provide a similar crunch. For pickling, you can use carrots, green beans or okra. These alternatives may not have the exact taste, but can provide a similar texture or functionality in your meals.

Do cucumbers boost testosterone?

No, cucumbers do not have testosterone nor directly promote its production. Testosterone levels are influenced by a multitude of factors, such as diet, exercise, and overall health. However, cucumbers do contain good amounts of vitamins and minerals conducive to overall health.

Does cucumber increase estrogen?

Cucumbers do not contain estrogen or have any compounds that mimic estrogen. Though, they happen to contain lignans, a group of chemical compounds found in plants, which can convert to animal lignans in our gut and may possess some estrogenic activity. However, these amounts are insignificant and have limited effect on the body’s overall hormone balance.

Does cucumber increase libido?

Cucumbers may contribute to an overall healthy diet, which aids in overall body functioning, including libido. But there’s no substantial scientific evidence to suggest that cucumbers can directly increase libido. A healthy lifestyle that encompasses a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and good sleep are generally the most effective ways to improve libido.

Is cucumber gluten free?

Yes, cucumbers are gluten-free. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, barley, rye and certain other grains. Since cucumbers are a type of vegetable and not a grain, they do not contain any gluten.

Are cucumbers kosher?

Yes, cucumbers are naturally kosher. Kosher foods are those that conform to the regulations of the Jewish Halakhic law framework. Since cucumbers are a plant food with no forbidden components and no need for specific and ritualized slaughtering or harvesting processes, they are inherently kosher. However, if a cucumber is pickled or otherwise processed, it’s important to check whether the other ingredients used and the processing methods align with kosher guidelines.