Cucumber is a diuretic and refreshing vegetable, particularly appreciated in the warmer seasons. It owes its diuretic properties to its richness in water and its large amount of silicon and sulfur, which stimulate and help the kidneys to get rid of uric acid.

Raw, it is 95% water, which makes it ideal for people watching their weight: 63g of raw cucumber with or without the peel represents 9 and 8 calories respectively. Raw cucumber without its peel constitutes a source of copper, and, with its peel, of vitamin K. It also has slightly antioxidant properties, thanks to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Cucumber is mainly eaten raw, as a salad or as a starter, with a yogurt and herb sauce, but it can also be cooked and eaten like zucchini.