5 Health Benefits Of The Humble Cucumber, Which Is Suddenly Viral

Remember that time The Kardashians when Kendall Jenner had trouble chopping a cucumber? (Seeing is believing.) It was great PR for the humble vegetable, which has always been known for its hydrating properties and works great in a salad. And as if getting Kendall’s seal of approval wasn’t enough, now the cucumis sativus (to give it its scientific name) is getting even more airtime, courtesy of a guy named Logan on TikTok.

Logan, who gets millions of views on his cucumber salad videos, has not only amassed a loyal TikTok following, “viral cucumber salad” is also trending on Google. Rather fabulously proclaiming that ‘cucumbers are a lifestyle’, Logan creates simple one-pot cucumber recipes – including a kimchi mix and its ‘iconic’ salmon, cream cheese and cucumber – that look (and taste) much more appealing than they do. sound. .

I spot a fan in my friend and fellow journalist, Lucia Partingtonwho shared her own take on his recipes on Instagram, I asked her what she thought of the trend. “I know cucumber salads are already very popular in Asian cuisine, but I love Logan’s charming way of explaining how to make them,” she says. “They are very easy, healthy and make a nice change from regular salads. Cucumber is cheap and cheerful and you don’t have to invest a lot of money in ingredients to try one of these recipes, I already had most of them in my cupboard. Moreover, making and eating something in a pot is also quite new. You literally shake it to make it.”

The health benefits of cucumber

The cucumber salad may be having a moment, but the vegetable overall is packed with health benefits. “It’s the ‘eat your water’ beauty food that will nourish your gut,” agrees the naturopathic nutritionist Jessica Shand. “It doesn’t often get the recognition it deserves, possibly because of its subtle flavor and the fact that it is a bit of an old-fashioned salad. But it really is a wonderful cleansing beauty food to add to your meals in the summer.”

Nutritionally, the cucumber is 95% water, so it’s super hydrating and good for all facets of your health, including your skin. “I like to think of cucumbers as a great way to eat water, but with all the added benefits of being soluble fiber to nourish the digestive tract, which helps flush the system of toxins, prevent constipation and also create a less acidic environment in the gut microbiome, she says.