According to a nutritionist Temiloluwa Omotosho who spoke to BBC, nutrients in fruits like cucumbers may not benefit the body if they are cooked.
“Fruits like cucumber are best eaten raw so you can get all the essential nutrients that benefit your body. Some vitamins, when heated, lose their potency, and the body won’t get all the benefits,” The nutritionist said.
She added, “If you expose cucumbers to heat, all those vital vitamins your body needs will be lost to the cooking process.
Some fruits are better eaten raw because cooking them diminishes their nutritional value.”
Cooking certain fruits and vegetables can improve their taste, texture, and appearance, making them safer to eat, but this doesn’t apply to all of them.
For example, people often blend tomatoes with peppers to make a delicious stew, which is a common and recommended method in many places.
However, cooking cucumbers, which are best eaten raw, reduces their nutrients and changes their appearance and taste from what they should be.
Registered nutritionist Kerry Torrens explained to BBC Good Food why some foods are better raw than cooked. Some vitamins are very sensitive to heat and lose their nutritional value when cooked.
Fruits that contain B vitamins can quickly lose these nutrients if cooked in hot water. Cucumbers are one of those fruits that can lose nutrients when heated.
According to Torrens, fruits and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and tomatoes can benefit from slight cooking, which makes it easier for our bodies to absorb some antioxidants that protect us.
When you cook tomatoes or make them into a sauce, it helps break down the plant cell walls, allowing us to better absorb the lycopene inside, which is beneficial to the body.
These nutrients help protect our cells from damage and can guard against some cancers and health diseases.
Getting the best nutrients from your fruits and vegetables depends on how you prepare and consume them.
It’s true that cooking can make food safer by killing some pathogens, but it’s important to know which fruits need cooking.
As the economy may be tough, it’s important to eat healthy foods and vegetables. It’s not just about eating, but ensuring that your diet is balanced and full of nutrients.
Experts recommend balanced diets that include the six classes of food for the best health benefits.
