Calories in Cucumber

About Cucumber

Cucumbers are one of the most hydrating foods you can eat, with a water content of about 95%. This extreme hydration combined with minimal calories (just 16 per cup sliced) makes cucumber an ideal food for weight loss, hot weather, and adding crunch and volume to meals without impacting calorie goals.

Most of a cucumber's nutrients are concentrated in the skin and seeds, so unless you have a sensitivity, eating cucumbers unpeeled maximizes their nutritional value. The skin contains most of the vitamin K and fiber, while the seeds provide small amounts of vitamin C and minerals.

Cucumbers contain cucurbitacins, plant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, and they are naturally high in silica, which supports skin, hair, nail, and connective tissue health. The high water content also means cucumbers contribute meaningfully to daily hydration goals, especially during summer months.

Add sliced cucumber to salads, sandwiches, water pitchers, or eat them plain with a sprinkle of salt and lemon. They fit into virtually every diet and BasedHealth can track them along with any meal you add them to.