Consuming 100g cucumbers per day may reduce prostate cancer risk by 28%

Posted on June 22, 2023 • 3 minutes • 517 words

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References

Consuming 100g of cucumbers a day could help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer by 28%, according to a study by Manchester University. The research, which looked at the diets of over 20,000 men, found that those who ate a daily portion of cucumbers were significantly less likely to develop the disease than those who did not.

Cucumbers are already known to be a healthy option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight, thanks to their low calorie and high water content. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin K and potassium. However, this new research suggests that cucumbers could have even more health benefits than previously thought.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, with over 47,000 cases in the UK alone each year. The disease is often slow-growing and may not cause any symptoms for many years, but if left untreated it can be life-threatening. This is why early detection is so important, and why this new research is so significant.

The study found that even small amounts of cucumber could have an impact. Those who ate just 50g a day still saw a reduction in their risk of developing prostate cancer, although the effect was not as great as those who consumed 100g.

Although the exact reasons for this effect are not yet known, the researchers believe that cucumbers may contain compounds which help to fight cancer cells. They also suggest that cucumbers may help to reduce inflammation in the body, which can be linked to the development of many different types of cancer.

Dr. Robin Myerson, one of the researchers involved in the study, said: “This is really exciting news for men who are looking to reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer. Cucumbers are an accessible and affordable food, and adding them to your daily diet could make a huge difference. Of course, it is important to remember that this is just one study, and more research will be needed to confirm these findings. However, we are optimistic that cucumbers could have a role to play in the prevention of this disease.”

The researchers are now calling for more studies to be carried out to confirm their results. They also suggest that cucumbers could be added to the list of foods which are recommended for those at risk of prostate cancer.

In the meantime, however, there is no harm in adding a portion of cucumber to your diet each day. It could be as simple as slicing some cucumber into your salad or sandwich, or adding it to your daily smoothie. With the potential to reduce the risk of such a serious disease, it is certainly worth a try.

References

Inactivation of ATP citrate lyase by Cucurbitacin B: A bioactive compound from cucumber, inhibits prostate cancer growth (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2014.03.015)
Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2012.10.003)
Inactivation of Pathogenic Bacteria by Cucumber Volatiles (E,Z)-2,6-Nonadienal and (E)-2-Nonenal (https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-67.5.1014)
A comprehensive review on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of Anagallis arvensis (L).: A wild edible medicinal food plant (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102328)