Cucumber originated from India and has existed for over 300 years. For most people, it’s one of the best foods to eat raw, take as an on-the-go snack, dip up in the favorite salad or chop them for a light salad.
What most people don’t consider is about the cucumber seeds.
Can you eat cucumber seeds? Yes. Cucumber seeds are edible. Just like melons, these seeds are not poisonous. Most people eat them fresh and raw. If you don’t like the raw cucumber seeds, there are other ways to consume them. You can dry-roast, pickled cucumber, cucumber salad, or bake cucumber chips.
What are the Health Benefits of Dry Cucumber Seeds?
Cucumber seeds are rich in protein, fats, and minerals, such as calcium, sodium, manganese, iron, and zinc. The seeds are rich in phytonutrient compounds such as lignans and cucurbitacins that reduce cancerous cells. Cucurbitacins reduce the growth of pancreatic cancer cells by blocking paths of cancer proliferation and survival.
Cucumber seed has phytochemicals that eliminate bad breath caused by excessive stomach heat and any bacteria. Magnesium lowers cholesterol levels.
The seeds, if turned in pickles, contain probiotic bacteria that promote healthy digestion and gut health. They are sources of vitamin K that improve calcium absorption, aiding to good borne and helps with the blood clot.
The seeds are vital for losing weight. They are rich in minerals that help burn fats and low calories; you may eat large quantities without gaining weight.
They contain vitamin C, manganese, and beta-carotene oxidants. Vitamin C benefits the immune system, and beta-carotene is useful for vision.
Regularly eating cucumber seeds helps you get rid of kidney stones. They are high in potassium, which lowers the risk of cardiovascular and ischemic heart diseases. Its low sodium content reduces blood pressure.
How Can I Prepare Cucumber Seeds?
You can remove the Cucumber seeds, dry and then store them in an airtight container for future use. The seeds can later be roasted and added to other seed snacks or cooked with ghee.
To prepare the seeds, first cut the cucumber in half to remove the seeds. Scoop the seeds and pulp from the flesh. Using the wet method of removal, place the mixture in a jar of warm water to remove the gel coating around the seeds.
Allow them to ferment for three days, stirring daily. Fermentation kills the viruses and separates the good seeds from the bad seeds and the pulp. Your good seeds will settle at the bottom of the jar, and the pulp and bad seeds will float. Pour out the bad seeds and the pulp. Take the viable seeds and spread them on a piece of paper to dry.
Once dry, put the seeds in an airtight glass jar. Put the container in a freezer for two to three days to kill any remaining viruses. Store in a cool, dry placed. They can last three to five years when stored properly.
What are the Health Benefits of Cucumber Seeds for Men?
Cucumber seeds are rich in citrulline, a naturally occurring amino-acid, which helps improve and reduce the effects of erectile dysfunction in men suffering from low blood pressure, common between men aged 40 to 70 years.
Citrulline converts in amino acid arginine, which converts to nitric oxide, allowing expansion and relaxation of blood vessels, facilitating a healthy blood flow to the penis, and improving men’s sexual health.
When taken with carrot juice, cucumber seeds strengthen joints, relieve gout pain and arthritis in men by reducing their body’s uric acid levels.
Cucumber seeds contain lignans, which reduces prostate cancer. The vitamins and nutrients present also help in treating hangovers in men.
How Do Cucumber Seeds Benefit Your Face And Hair?
The cucumber seed oil contains moisturizing alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, which protects the skin from the sun’s UV rays and environmental pollution. The oil relieves redness and rashes.
The seed oil contains linoleic acid, vitamin E, and nutrients, which stimulates collagen production, improves elasticity. It rejuvenates new skin cells, prevents wrinkles and fine lines.
The seed oil has oleic acid, which seals moisture and allows the skin to stay hydrated and healthy.
The oil is rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, which treats dry skin and diseases such as eczema and dermatitis. Fatty acids help the skin look young, healthy and keep it from dangerous bacteria.
Cucumber seed contains vitamin A, C, and silica, promoting hair growth, repairing and strengthening thinning and damaged traces. It has silicon and sulfur, which stop hair fall and promote healthy hair.
They contain hydrating and vital nutrients, such as tocopherols and phytosterols, to replenish hair moisture to avoid split ends breakages.
Do Cucumber Seeds Have Side Effects?
Cucumber seeds contain a cucurbitacin compound, toxic and may cause indigestion in some people leading to flatulence and bloating.
Cucurbitacin and fatty oil in cucumber seeds may cause fluid loss if eaten excess by increasing urination frequency, leading to body imbalance and dehydration.
When overeaten, they contain Vitamin C, promoting free radical growth dangerous to the body cells. Excess potassium intake can also harm the kidney.
Those with an allergic reaction to certain fruits such as melons and bananas may also have an allergic reaction to cucumber seeds, including hives, breathing difficulty, and swelling due to cross-reactivity.
Most farmers wax their cucumbers to protect them from insects and damages. You may suffer skin reactions after consuming raw cucumber seeds with these chemicals.
The seeds are high in vitamin K; excess eating can affect how a person’s blood clots, especially those using warfarin blood thinners.
Final Thoughts
- Cucumber seeds are edible. Most people eat them fresh and raw, dry-roast, pickled cucumber, cucumber salad, or bake cucumber chips.
- The seeds are rich in phytonutrient compounds such as lignans and cucurbitacins that reduce cancerous cells. Cucurbitacins reduce the growth of pancreatic cancer cells by blocking paths of cancer proliferation and survival.
- Cucumber seeds are rich in citrulline, a naturally occurring amino-acid, which helps improve and reduce the effects of erectile dysfunction in men suffering from low blood pressure.
- Cucumber seeds contain a cucurbitacin compound, toxic and may cause indigestion in some people leading to flatulence and bloating.