Even if you just casually scroll TikTok once and a while, you've likely caught wind of the latest viral sensation the Cucumber Guy. But in true 2024 fashion, @Logagm is doing more than just prepping and eating a whole cucumber every day; he's influencing the entire internet to do it too.
While you might assume that eating a cucumber (or any vegetables, for that matter) is healthy 100% of the time, we had to wonder: is too much a good thing a bad thing?
We tapped Daily Harvest nutrition adviser Carolina Schneider, MS, RD to weigh in the trend and the consensus is...drum roll, please...they're totally safe and healthy to eat on the reg.
Why Are Cucumbers Healthy?
I guess TikTok made the right guy famous this time. The veggie is packed with vitamins, including vitamin K for bone health, vitamin C for immunity, as well as potassium and magnesium. Not to mention they're low in calories—an entire cup contains just 18 calories.
"They also contain antioxidants, which can help fight oxidative stress in the body," Schneider adds. "Diets rich in vegetables are associated with better health markers, lower disease risk and overall improved health and well-being."
If you're following along to Logan's COTD videos (and by following along I mean also slicing up the entire thing for a trendy shakeable salad), you can expect better hydration (cukes are 95% water), better digestion (they're packed with fiber), better skin (they have anti-inflammatory properties), and you might even lose weight thanks to the low calorie, high water, and fiber content, Schneider tells Delish.
The potassium found in cucumbers can also help regulate your blood pleasure by balancing sodium levels and can promote overall better cardiovascular health, while the antioxidant properties protect against chronic diseases.
Veronica Rouse, MAN, RD, CD, who specializes in heart health, agrees too.
"Adding a cucumber to your diet can also help you meet the USDA’s recommendation of five to nine servings of fruits and veggies daily. Many people don’t get enough vegetables, so including a cucumber in your daily routine is a simple and tasty way to boost your intake," she told Well+Good.
Can You Eat Too Many Cucumbers?
There is a caveat though. While the vegetable is perfectly safe and healthy for regular consumption, excessive amounts of anything can lead to negative side effects, according to Schneider.
"In the case of cucumbers, their high water and fiber content might cause digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities," she says. "That’s because fiber stimulates bowel movement, and for some individuals, especially those not accustomed to a high-fiber diet, this can lead to bloating, gas, or even diarrhea."
Plus, variety is also key. "Eating the rainbow is a simple but powerful concept, as different colors of fruits and vegetables deliver a unique array of nutrients and health benefits," Schneider says.
While eating a cucumber a day might be a positive in your diet, you still need protein, healthy fats, and other vitamins and minerals that aren't found in the vegetable. The good news? We have recipes for that too.
