Cucumbers & Fatty Liver Disease: Everything You Must Know

After doing your research on foods to eat after being diagnosed with NAFLD (MASLD), it might seem that you’re no longer allowed to eat anything. The list of foods to avoid is long indeed, but you will see that you still have plenty of options.

If you’re wondering whether or not you should eat cucumbers with a fatty liver disease, you’re at the right place!

Here’s the short answer, in case you’re in a hurry: cucumbers are great for fatty liver! Low in calories, carbs, and packed with essential nutrients, they’re a great addition to your diet.

If you want all the details, read on for the full scoop, including the do’s and don’ts of cucumber consumption.

Why Are Cucumbers Good for Fatty Liver Disease

Cucumbers are an important part of the Mediterranean diet which many – myself included – consider the best diet for reversing fatty liver (with small adjustments).

They may not have the pizzazz of avocados or the satisfying heft of a sweet potato, but don’t underestimate them. Here’s how good things look with cucumbers from a nutritional standpoint:

Nutritional Information for Cucumbers (Per 100 Grams)

Nutrient	Amount per 100g	% Daily Value (DV)
Calories	16 kcal	1%
Water	95 g	–
Protein	0.65 g	1.2%
Fat	0.11 g	<1%
Carbohydrates	3.63 g	1.5%
Fiber	0.5 g	–
Vitamin C	2.8 mg	3%
Potassium	147 mg	4.5%
Magnesium	13 mg	3%
Calcium	16 mg	1%
Iron	0.28 mg	2%
Vitamin K	16.4 mcg	14%

As you can see, plenty of goodies in a vegetable that’s 95% water. Let’s analyze those numbers a bit more:

• Calorie-Conscious Goodness: A cup of sliced cucumbers (with the peel on) packs just 16 calories. That’s basically nothing. You could eat 10 kilograms (22 pounds) each day and barely hit the 2,000-calorie mark. Impressive, right?

• Nutrient Boost: While cucumbers aren’t exactly nutrient powerhouses, they’re not slackers either. You’ll get a decent dose of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C – all good for your liver. Plus, a sprinkling of calcium, iron, and vitamin K for good measure, as well as little fat and some fiber to keep your bowel movements regular.

• Hydration Hero: With cucumbers being about 95% water, they’ll keep you hydrated, which is essential for flushing toxins and supporting liver health.

Overall, cucumbers are not exceptionally nutritious but they taste good and have a really low amount of calories, which makes them a great choice for a fatty-liver-friendly diet – especially when it comes to adding some variety to what you eat.

If you’re curious about other foods that you might or might not have to eat with a fatty liver disease, check out my previous articles on:

• Fatty liver and garlic
• Peanuts & Peanut Butter
• Ginger and Fatty Liver Disease

How should you eat them?

The best way to enjoy cucumbers is raw. Slice them up and toss them in a salad, munch on them as a liver-friendly snack, or pair them with some hummus (just watch the portion size!). Feel free to eat 2-4 cups a day – they’re not going to bite back.

Pro Tip: Keep it simple. Drizzle cucumbers with extra virgin olive oil and a splash of apple cider vinegar. That’s it. No other dressings, especially those with added sugars, fats or preservatives.

Can you eat pickled cucumbers too?

Pickled cucumbers are where things get a little murky. They’re a double-edged sword for your liver, but you can still reap the benefits if you’re a bit careful.

• The Good: Probiotics in pickles can boost gut health, which indirectly benefits your liver.
• The Bad: High sodium levels can lead to water retention and stress your liver and kidneys.

So, what’s the verdict? Enjoy pickled cucumbers in moderation. If you’re DIY-ing your pickles, use less salt to keep things liver-friendly. If you’re buying them, make sure they have no added sugars (many do, especially those not pickled in brine) nor any preservatives or artificial flavors.

Also, if they’re too salty, you can wash them before eating or let them soak in clean drinking water for a few minutes.

To read both the Pros, as well as Cons of pickled cucumbers and better understand risk vs rewards, you can go more in-depth with this WebMD article.

And if you’re also considering fasting for reversing your condition, make sure to check out my thoughts on the matter here.

A Word on Pesticides

Since I mentioned washing cucumbers earlier, I have to talk about pesticides, too.

Make sure to wash your cucumbers thoroughly. Better yet, opt for organic when you can.

Pesticides can be harmful to your liver, so if you’re unsure about their origin, peel them before eating. Sure, you lose some nutrients, but it’s a worthwhile trade-off.

How Cucumber Fits into Fatty Liver Meal Plans

Here’s how you can incorporate cucumbers into your daily meals without overthinking it – just some quick suggestions, as there’s a lot more in terms of options:

• Breakfast Boost: Add cucumber slices to your avocado toast or a side of scrambled egg whites for extra freshness.
• Midday Snack: Pair cucumbers with a dollop of low fat, no sugar added yogurt sprinkled with fresh dill.
• Dinner Sidekick: Toss cucumbers into a simple tomato and red onion salad for a Mediterranean vibe.

For more inspiration and liver-friendly meal planning, check out my free article sharing a week-long meal plan for fatty liver.

Conclusion

In conclusion, raw cucumbers are definitely a great addition to your fatty liver diet. Even pickled cucumbers can be beneficial through the probiotics in them to improve gut health resulting in a healthier liver.

And whatever you do, stay away from cucumbers that have been sprayed with a cocktail of pesticides unless you’re ready to peel.

To sum it up: cucumbers are your liver’s ally. They’re versatile, refreshing, and can easily fit into your diet. Plus, they’re cheap and easy to find, so there’s no excuse not to stock up.

Now you can learn more about almonds and almond milk for fatty liver, barley for fatty liver or why you should quit smoking if you have a fatty liver disease.