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Cucumber During Pregnancy: Health Benefits And Side Effects

momjunction.com 1 day ago
Benefits Of Cucumber During Pregnancy
Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team

Cucumbers are effective body coolants during summers. They are the perfect low-calorie snack to control hunger pangs at work or to add to your weight loss salad. But is it a good idea to have cucumbers during pregnancy? Can they have any negative impact on you or your baby? Continue reading this post to know how much cucumber is safe during pregnancy, its health benefits, and possible adverse side effects.

Key Pointers

  • Cucumber offers numerous health benefits during pregnancy.
  • It is a good source of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, electrolytes, minerals, and more.
  • Due to its high water content and low calorie count, cucumber can aid in treating digestive problems.
  • Cucumber salad, sandwiches, and soup are among the best ways to consume cucumber during pregnancy.

Is It Safe To Eat Cucumbers During Pregnancy?

You can eat small amounts of cucumber, although it is not usually recommended in the pregnancy diet. Cucumbers are known to cause allergic reaction, frequent urination due to excess water and salt content, and belching and indigestion (1). So, discuss with your healthcare provider during your prenatal care visits before adding it to your regular diet, because they can do good too.

Infographic: How To Consume Cucumber In Pregnancy?

How Cucumber Can Be Beneficial During Pregnancy

Cucumbers are a healthy snack for pregnant women. They possess high amounts of water, vitamins, and minerals that benefit overall health. The low fat and minimal calorie content make it ideal for weight management during pregnancy. Consult your doctor, and once you get their approval, you can consume cucumber for its several health benefits.

1. Low-calorie food

Cucumbers are low in calories and can prevent obesity. They help in weight management and can keep you full for a longer time, and prevent excess eating, thus avoiding weight gain.

Including low-calorie, nutrient-rich vegetables like cucumber in pregnancy snacks helps meet hydration needs and supports healthy eating habits (16).

2. High water content

Cucumbers contain about 96% water (2). Consuming cucumber is a great way to maintain hydration levels (in addition to drinking water). Vegetables with high water content might also help manage pregnancy-related nausea.

3. Natural diuretic

The water content of cucumber acts as a diuretic (3), thus supporting the elimination of toxins. It also reduces swelling (4).

4. Cooling and cleansing

The cooling and cleansing property of fresh cucumber juice is helpful for skin nourishment and tightening (4).

5. B and K vitamins

Cucumber is rich in B vitamins, and vitamin K. B vitamins are known to boost your mood. They ease anxiety and might help reduce stress (5). Additionally, a cup of unpeeled cucumber provides 15-18% of daily vitamin K, vital for blood clotting and bone health (6).

6. Fiber

Cucumbers are a great source of soluble and insoluble fibers.
Image: iStock

Cucumbers are a great source of both soluble and insoluble fibers. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels (helpful for women with gestational diabetes), whereas insoluble fiber softens stools and treats constipation, which is common during pregnancy (7).

7. Essential micronutrients

Rich in antioxidants (8), including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese, cucumbers help boost the immune system function and thus prevent contracting infections. Also, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iodine, and sulfur (11) (9) are all important for fetal development and can prevent growth abnormalities.

9. Electrolytes

The availability of sodium and potassium electrolytes in cucumber juice can help manage high blood pressure during pregnancy (10).

Next, we will tell you about the nutritional facts of cucumber.

Applying cucumber slices to your eyes can help reduce puffiness and dark circles caused by pregnancy-related water retention (13) (14).

Nutritional Value Of Cucumber

According to the USDA, the nutrition present in 100g of raw cucumber with peel is as follows (11):

Nutrient Amount
Water 95.23g
Calories 15kcal
Carbohydrates 3.63g
Protein 0.65g
Fiber 0.5g
Fat 0.11g
Sugars 1.67g
Vitamins
Vitamin C 2.8mg
Thiamine (Vit B1) 0.027mg
Riboflavin (Vit B2) 0.033mg
Niacin 0.098mg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.03mg
Pantothenic acid 0.259mg
Pyridoxine (Vit B6) 0.04mg
Folate 7mcg
Alpha-carotene 11mcg
Beta-carotene 45mcg
Vitamin A 105IU
Vitamin K 16.4mcg
Electrolytes
Potassium 147mg
Sodium 2mg
Minerals
Calcium 16mg
Iron 0.28mg
Magnesium 13mg
Zinc 0.2mg
Phosphorus 24mg
Copper 0.041mg
Zinc 0.2mg
Manganese 0.079mg
Selenium 0.3mcg
Fluoride 1.3mcg

g=grams; mg=milligrams; mcg=micrograms; IU=international unit

Though cucumbers have a high nutritional value, they can pose some risk when taken in excess amounts.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Cucumber During Pregnancy?

The downside of consuming cucumbers in excessive amounts include:

  1. Cucumbers may cause gas and indigestion, which may aggravate acid reflux, particularly in those with sensitive digestive systems (12).
  2. The excess water content in cucumbers will increase the frequency of urination, which could make you uncomfortable.
Excess water in cucumbers cause frequent urination in pregnancy.
Image: iStock
  1. Sometimes, cucumbers can cause allergic reactions, resulting in itching and swelling. If you have known pollen allergies, such as ragweed, it’s best to be cautious when consuming cucumbers (1).
  2. Cucumbers contain toxic substances such as cucurbitacins and tetracyclic triterpenoids, which are responsible for the bitter taste and are life-threatening when taken in excess amounts (15).

Can You Drink Cucumber Juice During Pregnancy?

Freshly made cucumber juice is safe during pregnancy.
Image: iStock

Yes, you can have freshly made cucumber juice. Select firm and dark-colored cucumbers, blend them and consume.

Pick cucumbers with smooth skin, and do not buy those with blemishes or shriveled ends. Also, avoid buying bigger and thicker cucumbers as they contain more seeds (14).

How To Consume Cucumber In Pregnancy?

Consuming raw vegetables during pregnancy can be a healthy choice, but it’s vital to wash them thoroughly to avoid any potential foodborne illnesses. Consider selecting organic varieties to minimize pesticide exposure, which can be harmful during pregnancy. If your healthcare provider has given you the go-ahead to consume cucumbers, you can enjoy their health benefits by including them in your diet as part of a healthy eating plan.

First, peel the cucumbers, since their skin contains toxic pesticides. Wash them at least for three to four minutes in running water and scrub them using a vegetable brush.

The best ways to consume cucumbers are:

  1. Salads: Combine cucumbers with tomatoes, onions or any other vegetables with a little olive oil, salt, vinegar, and pepper. You can also make a delightful salad by combining cucumbers, black olives, chopped dill, avocado, and cress. This tastes good with kosher salt, olive oil, and lemon juice.

Avoid storing cucumbers with tomatoes, apples, avocados, or bananas, as they will cause them to ripen too quickly (14).

Cucumber salad is a healthy snack during pregnancy.
Image: iStock
  1. Soup: Blend sliced cucumbers, red onions, garlic clove, chopped dill, olive oil and some sour cream. Once the puree is ready, refrigerate for about one to two hours. This is an excellent soup to have on hot and long summer days.
  2. Sandwiches: Cut thin slices of cucumber and put in between two slices of bread along with some unsalted butter, chopped mint leaves, and sour cream cheese. These make an ideal snack to go with a cup of green or mint tea.
  3. Tzatziki sauce: Combine one large, sliced cucumber, three tablespoons of plain or Greek yogurt, one tablespoon of fresh mint or dill, and one minced garlic clove. Add one tablespoon of salt and three tablespoons of lemon juice. Refrigerate the mixture for five to six hours, and serve as a salad dressing.
Tzatziki sauce is made with cucumber and yogurt.
Image: Shutterstock
  1. Homemade pickle: If you have been craving pickles during pregnancy, here is a simple recipe you can try. Take three to five cups of water, one tablespoon of sugar, one tablespoon salt and 25 cups white vinegar. Boil the mixture and let it cool. Take four cups of cucumber spears, two heads of fresh dill, and two garlic cloves in a container. Add the chilled mixture over the vegetable, cover the lid and refrigerate for two to three days before consuming.

Next, we answer a few commonly asked questions about eating cucumbers when pregnant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is pickled cucumber safe during pregnancy?

Yes, it is safe to eat pickled cucumber but be watchful about the sodium intake. Go for home-made pickles, that too in minimal quantities.

2. Does craving cucumbers when pregnant tell something about baby’s gender?

According to old wives’ tales, craving cucumbers can indicate that you are carrying a boy. However, this has no scientific value.

3. Can I eat cucumber seeds during pregnancy?

You cannot have excess amounts of cucumber seeds since they contain a compound called cucurbitacin (15). This is toxic and might result in digestive issues in some people, especially those with a sensitive digestive system.

4. Can cucumber cause miscarriage?

Cucumbers are not known to cause miscarriage; there are no studies to show an association between them.

Nevertheless, add cucumbers to your pregnancy diet in tiny quantities. If you feel alright, you might add a few more pieces but do not over-consume.

5. Can I drink cucumber water during pregnancy?

Yes, you may drink cucumber-infused water during pregnancy. You may also add lemon juice and mint leaves to the infusion to enhance its taste.

6. Is it safe to eat cucumbers at night?

Yes, it is safe to eat cucumbers at night. Cucumbers are a healthy and low-calorie food that can be consumed at any time of day. They contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can help support overall health. Eating cucumbers in moderation as part of a balanced diet is generally considered safe for most people.

7. How do I pick fresh cucumbers?

When picking fresh cucumbers, look for firm ones that have a bright and even color and are free from bruises, soft spots, and yellowing. Also, it’s best to choose cucumbers that are heavy for their size, as this is an indicator of freshness.

8. What are some healthy vegetable alternatives to cucumbers during pregnancy?

Nutrient-rich vegetables with a mild flavor, like cucumbers, include bell peppers, squash, celery, sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, and leafy greens. Their crisp texture and mild taste make them ideal for similar uses in recipes, such as salads and other dishes (17).

Cucumbers are loaded with nutrition. They are high in water content, fiber and are excellent for cooling and cleansing the body. However, cucumber during pregnancy is not an ideal choice because it causes indigestion, gas, frequent urination, and allergies. That said, consuming cucumbers in small quantities will not cause any harm. Consume them after peeling and washing them properly. This reduces the toxic effects of pesticides and ensures food safety. Include them in your diet of salads, soups, and pickles. If you have any medical condition, talk to your doctor before consuming cucumbers during pregnancy.

Illustration: Excellent Health Benefits Of Cucumber During Pregnancy

cucumber during pregnancy_illustration
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

References

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