11 Strange Side Effects Of Cucumber

Cucumbers are a go-to snack for weight watchers, and their cooling crunch in summers gives all of us a sigh of relief.

While cucumbers are good for you, are you aware of the side effects? Yes, and these effects are associated with its overconsumption.

Cucumbers are chosen by many for the array of benefits they offer. They are loaded with many beneficial nutrients and can be an excellent addition to your salads, sandwiches, or pasta (1). You can have them baked or grilled too. In fact, they are among the few foods that promote hydration (2). However, recent research sheds light on their negative effects, including itchy skin and an embarrassing belch. People with chronic sinusitis should also minimize their intake of cucumbers, as they may aggravate the condition. Learn further about the side effects associated with excess cucumber consumption. Continue reading.

Know The Flip Side: Cucumber

Short-Term Effects
Digestive issues, toxicity, allergy and blood clotting.

Long-Term Effects
May cause abdominal cramps, sinusitis, and frequent urination during pregnancy, leading to loss of fluid in the body.

Drug Interactions
Consuming cucumbers with anti-diabetic medicines can cause alarmingly low blood sugar level.

When To See A Doctor
If you have sudden skin and oral allergies, like rashes, or if you have been facing constant low blood pressure, you should consult a doctor.

11 Side Effects Of Cucumber

Read on to learn more about these unwelcoming reactions your favorite veggie gives. This, in turn, will help you find an alternative way of enjoying it.

Infographic: Concerns Over Cucurbitacins In Cucumbers

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

1. It Could Prove To Be Toxic

The presence of the toxins, such as cucurbitacins and tetracyclic triterpenoids in cucumber is a thing to worry about (3). Studies have proven that these elements trigger the bitter taste in these wonderful veggies. Researchers point out that consuming cucumber beyond moderation could even be life-threatening.

Trivia

Cucurbitacins can be found in other gourd plant families such as Bryonia, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Luffa, Echinocystis, Lagenaria and Citrullus.

2. Excessive Loss Of Fluid

Cucumber seeds are the source of cucurbitin, an ingredient that is known to possess innate diuretic properties (4). Even though the diuretic nature is mild, excessive intake could prove to be less harmful for you. When ingested in large quantities, this diuretic ingredient results in excessive elimination of fluid from your body, hampering the electrolytic balance. In extreme conditions, it could leave you in severe dehydration!

3. Side Effects Of Excessive Vitamin C

Vitamin C

is an immune boosting element (5). Plus, it plays a major role in preventing and combating various health conditions, including flu and scurvy. It is also a powerful antioxidant. Nevertheless, exceeding the recommended limits comes with its own set of harmful effects. Vitamin C, when ingested in extremely large quantities, acts like a pro-oxidant against its innate anti-oxidative nature. This, in turn, triggers the growth and spread of free radicals. And, when free radicals roam around, you will be at a higher risk of cancer, acne, premature aging, and so on. Research also suggests that excessive vitamin C intake may cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and kidney stones. It may also negatively affect the effectiveness of chemotherapy and other medications like warfarin and niacin (6).

4. Harmful For Renal System

Hyperkalemia is a medical condition that arises due to the presence of high potassium content in the body (7). It leads to bloating, abdominal cramps, and intestinal gas, initially. The condition worsens over time, hampering the functioning of the kidneys in an effective way. This, in turn, puts your renal system at the risk of succumbing to damages.

5. Watch Your Heart

Cucumber, as you all know, contains more than 90% of water in it. And drinking excess leads to excessive ingestion of this fiber loaded veggie. The higher the water intake, the higher the net volume of blood will be. This, in turn, exerts pressure on the blood vessels and on the heart. The result – your heart and blood vessels will incur unwanted damages. Excessive presence of water could also create an imbalance in the electrolyte levels of the blood, which actually causes the seepage in cells. This may lead to frequent headaches and obstructed breathing.

6. Milk Allergy

This sounds weird, but true. Many a time, farmers use wax to coat the skin of these fragile veggies to safeguard it from insects as well as shipping damages. Wax is made up of numerous ingredients, including milk casein, soaps, and ethyl alcohol. People who are allergic to milk can demonstrate an allergic reaction to milk casein as well.

7. Bloating And Flatulence

Cucumbers, as mentioned above, contain an ingredient called cucurbitacin. This element can trigger indigestion in certain people, especially if they have a sensitive digestive system. Indigestion triggers bloating and flatulence, which your body tries to eliminate in the form of burps and farts. If you form gas in your stomach by eating onions, cabbage, and/or broccoli, then it is advisable to restrict the consumption of cucumbers as well.

Ani Fuller, a blogger, observes her personal experience thus: “As plain as they seem, cucumbers are actually quite well-known to cause gas. It’s a substance called cucurbitacin found in cucumber skin that causes the problem. For some people, skinning them works but cucurbitacin can leach into the flesh too so it doesn’t work for everyone and sadly not for us (i).”

8. Oral And Skin Allergy

Study conducted by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology on the allergic reactions of cucumber on human beings suggest that people who are allergic to ragweed pollen, melons, chamomile tea, bananas, and sunflower seeds could also experience allergy after consuming this green skinned veggie. Even though cooking or grilling cucumbers could possibly remove this threat, it is better to substitute zucchini for the same to avoid allergies.

9. It May Cause Sinusitis

If you have sinusitis or any kind of chronic respiratory conditions, then it is advisable to stay away from eating cucumber. If Ayurvedic practitioners are to be believed, the cooling effects of these veggies aggravate such conditions, leading to complications.

10. Cucumber During Pregnancy

While cucumber is generally considered safe during pregnancy, there are certain conditions that could make you uncomfortable if it is consumed excessively.

• The diuretic nature of these veggies will trigger frequent urination, causing you irritation and discomfort.
• Cucumbers are good sources of fiber and hence, uncontrolled portions could leave you bloated. You might also experience a distended tummy along with abdominal pain.

Note:

Look for “burpless” cucumber varieties that have less cucurbitacin in them, resulting in lesser stomach upsets.

Trivia

Cucumbers originated in East Asia. China is said to be the largest producer of cucumbers, serving up close to 80% of the global cucumber production.

11. Eye Irritation

Cucumbers possess hydrating and cooling properties and are often used as a natural remedy to soothe tired eyes and reduce puffiness. However, applying cucumber slices to the eyes for extended periods may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Unwashed cucumbers can carry pesticide residues or bacteria that can increase the risk of eye irritation or infection. Hence, wash the cucumber slices thoroughly before using them.

But ensure you remove them off if you still experience swelling, itching, or any discomfort. Get immediate medical attention.

Tips To Avoid Cucumber Side Effects

Here are a few handy tips that you could try to avoid the aforementioned side effects of eating cucumbers.

• Wash the cucumber thoroughly under running water.

• Ensure to remove the peels of the cucumber to safeguard yourself and your family from the toxins hidden on the peels.

• If you find that raw cucumbers are giving you a tough time, then try sautéing or grilling the same.

Curious about the strange side effects of cucumber? Check out this video to learn 10 surprising side effects of cucumber!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to eat cucumber every day?

Yes, consuming cucumber in moderate amounts every day helps promote overall health, as it is a nutritious fruit and there are several other benefits of cucumber, which make it beneficial for your overall health.

Can we eat cucumber on an empty stomach?

No, cucumbers can be hard to digest on an empty stomach and may trigger stomach discomfort.

What time is best to eat cucumber?

Cucumbers can be a healthy addition to any meal of the day. However, eating them in the afternoon helps you reap maximum benefits.

Illustration: Strange Side Effects Of Cucumber

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Jessie HulseyRD, LD

   

Jessie Hulsey is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist residing in Atlanta, GA, with expertise in various topics within the field of nutrition and dietetics. She began her career as a private practice dietitian, helping educate patients on a variety of nutrition-related conditions.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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