Calories in English Cucumber

You might be surprised to read that there exist hundreds of varieties of cucumbers. English cucumber is one of the most popular cucumber species. The other popular variety is the regular slicer cucumber. Take a look at the following information which may help you identify English cucumber better.

Both the cucumbers are tasty and crispy, and can be added to salads. English cucumber is slightly expensive than the regular one. It is longer and narrower than the slicer cucumber. It is also sweeter than the slicer variety. English cucumber comes with a thinner skin.

The skin of the slicer cucumber is waxy and tough. The fat, waxy slicer cucumbers are usually dark green in color. You can consume English cucumber without peeling it off. English cucumbers are not seedless, they are described as 'nearly seedless'.

Both the varieties have seeds, but the seeds of the English cucumber are quite smaller and less prominent. Excessive seeds in a cucumber can make it slightly bitter. Experts say that consumption of English cucumber leads to fewer burps.

English cucumber is easily digested because of low number of seeds and tender skin, and so it produces less gas in the stomach. As English cucumbers are not seeded and peeled before consumption, they provide more nutrients and fiber.

To protect their skin, they are packed individually and are wrapped in plastic bags. Therefore, they are slightly more expensive than slicer cucumbers.

• ½ cup (70 g) English cucumber contains 9 calories.
• 1 g English cucumber contains 0.1 calories.
• 1 cup slices (119g) of English cucumber (without peel) contain 16 calories.
• 4 slices of English cucumber with peel contain 3 calories.

The above information shows that English cucumber has negligible calories. In fact, it is considered as one of the best negative calorie food around. Cucumbers contain plenty of water, they come with negligible calories, and they require more calories for digestion than they provide.

This promotes weight loss. Moreover, water and fiber in cucumbers help get rid of toxins from the body.

English cucumbers are rich in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. They also provide various B vitamins including folate, vitamin A and vitamin K. Minerals like zinc and iron help strengthen your immune system.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin which helps improve your overall health in several ways. It protects you from infections and diseases, even cancer.

Folate helps prevent birth defects in babies, and pregnant women are advised to include folate rich foods in regular diet. Various vitamins and minerals from cucumbers help improve heart health. Fiber from the cucumber helps eliminate digestion problems. It improves your digestive health. Cucumbers contain no fat and very little sugar.

They are cholesterol free and contain negligible sodium. So calories received from cucumbers are healthy calories.

Cucumbers are native to India but are now cultivated all over the world. They are available all year round but they are in season during summers (when they are most needed!). Cucumbers can be included in any type of weight loss diet. Cucumbers are rich in caffeic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

The soothing effect of cucumbers (when applied on skin) is experienced because of the presence of these two acids in cucumber slices. Cucumbers carry anti-inflammatory properties.

The medicinal properties help lower the symptoms of water retention, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, kidney diseases, liver problems, pancreatic problems, gum diseases, tooth decay, and several other diseases.

So don't worry about the calories in English cucumber. You can have as much cucumber as you want! You can enjoy it during meals or you can have it in salads and sandwiches. Regular consumption of cucumbers can help you look younger, as they offer glowing and smooth skin. If you want to be 'cool as a cucumber', just eat a cucumber everyday.