Cucumbers are mainly made up of water, accounting for about 96% of the volume. This is a very important factor that helps the kidneys function to filter and eliminate waste from the body.
According to Dr. Megan Rossi, a nutritionist at Kings College London (UK), adding water-rich foods like cucumbers to your daily meals can help increase urine flow, thereby supporting the removal of uric acid, toxins, and excess salt accumulated in the kidneys.
Many people do not drink enough water every day. By eating water-rich vegetables and fruits, the body is both hydrated and absorbs more antioxidants and fiber, which are natural and beneficial for the kidneys.
Cucumbers also contain plant compounds such as cucurbitacin, flavonoids and lignans, all of which are antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage.
These free radicals, if accumulated for a long time, can cause inflammation, which impairs the kidney's filtering function.
A diet rich in mildly alkaline foods like cucumbers helps reduce the risk of kidney stones in people at high risk.
Cucumbers also contain potassium and magnesium, two essential minerals that help regulate blood pressure, one of the key factors to protect the kidneys in the long term.
Dr. Mary Ellen Sanders, a microbiologist and clinical nutritionist in the US, said that cucumber is one of the foods with a gentle diuretic effect.
When used regularly, cucumbers help promote the excretion of sodium and excess water, thereby reducing pressure on the kidneys and limiting the accumulation of toxins.
For people at high risk of kidney disease (obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes), eating raw cucumbers or forcing water to drink (no added sugar, salt) several times a week can help improve kidney microcirculation and limit kidney tissue damage caused by silent inflammation.
Although cucumbers are good, the right way to use them is also very important. Choose clean, non- bitter cucumbers (because they can contain cucurbitacin B - a toxic toxin that is harmful when eaten in large quantities).
Cucumbers should not be eaten at the same time as salty foods (such as sour foods, dried fish...) to avoid increasing the burden of salt discharge for the kidneys.
Healthy adults can eat 100-200g of cucumber/day, equivalent to 1-2 small fruits. You can eat it raw, mix it in salad, or squeeze it into a drink after breakfast.
For people being treated for kidney disease, they should consult a doctor before regular supplementation.
