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Can Cucumbers Cause Indigestion?

Most health-conscious people love to take cucumber in their daily diet. This is a vegetable that can be eaten raw in the form of salad or can be used in smoothies. Because of the presence of antioxidants and vitamin K, cucumber is refreshing. It is obvious that when consumed in the right amount and at right time, this vegetable can offer you great health benefits. However, there are claims that cucumbers cause indigestion. Do you want to know more about this? Then take a read further.

Cucumber, when consumed in moderation will not cause any harm to your body. However, you might experience stomach issues if you overeat this vegetable. This might cause indigestion if taken in huge quantities or at night.

Cucumber contains Cucurbitacin C, which is a bitter component.(1) These cucurbitacins found in cucumbers are the main culprit for indigestion. When you have indigestion, you might experience stomach pain and bloat. Apart from this, you might also suffer from flatulence and it might aggravate the symptoms of diarrhea when taken in excess.

Can Cucumber Cause Indigestion?

Can Cucumber Cause Indigestion? What Do Studies Say About This?

Can Cucumber Cause Indigestion? Studies That Give Hints: Might Be Yes!

Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, are usually gassy vegetables.(2) Cucumber can also be added to this group of gassy vegetables. 

According to a study published in January 2015 in the Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, it has been mentioned that the staple salad that included these gassy vegetables can result in dyspepsia in some people, and consuming cucumbers might worsen symptoms like bloating, gas, and stomach pain in people who are prone to indigestion.(3)

Can Cucumber Cause Indigestion? Studies That Give Hints: Might Be No!

In the U.S. above 20% of people suffer from GERD, and this has been reported by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).(4)  It must be mentioned that the most common symptom experienced by people with GERD is acid indigestion or heartburn.  As per the Food and Drug Administration, foods that have a pH of 4.6 or below that are considered acidic.(5) Most fruits, including grapes, oranges, lemons, apples, and blueberries are acidic. These acidic foods might aggravate GERD and cause more indigestion and discomfort. Cucumbers, however, are alkaline, since they have a pH of 5.1 to 5.7.(6) Thus, they might not worsen GERD or symptoms of indigestion associated with the condition.

When Can Cucumber Cause Indigestion?

Studies that talk if cucumber can cause indigestion are known to have mixed views and results. However, when cucumbers are consumed at odd times and in excess, they might result in indigestion.

Cucumber should not be consumed at night as it can disturb your digestion process and also interfere with your sleep cycle.

Apart from this, one more thing that should be noted while eating cucumber is that you should never mix cucumber with heavy food at night as it can negatively impact your digestive system. Since cucumber takes long time to digest, you can eat them 3-4 hours before sleeping but not after that.

Take Away:

You can eat cucumbers without any worries since they have some tremendous health benefits. However, you should eat them in the right amount and at the right time. Eating a few of them will not cause indigestion or any harm to your body, rather will keep you hydrated and also help you in weight loss. Cucumbers can cause indigestion only when we have excessive consumption.

References:

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:September 26, 2022

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