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cucumber and tomatoIt has long been advised that eating cucumbers with other vegetables should be done with caution since the cucumber's enzymes will degrade the vitamin C in the other veggies. But is this actually the case? 

First of all, it's crucial to realize that cucumbers do contain the catalase enzyme, which may degrade vitamin C. "Cucumbers are loaded with minerals that aid in keeping you hydrated, but they also have a feature that interferes with the absorption of Vitamin C," says Tanya S. Kapoor, nutritionist, and dietitian, Wellness by Tanya. Therefore, most of the time, the combination of cucumber and tomato is advised to be avoided. Additionally, they both have a completely different way of digestion, so this combination must be avoided as it can lead to stomach upset."

We frequently blend vegetables while creating salads, soups, stews, sabzi, or curries, yet every item digests at a different rate. Especially when food molecules break during digestion and certain meals quickly dissolve while others stick to the intestinal walls for days and cause a range of digestive issues. Cucumbers and tomatoes each require various amounts of time to digest throughout the fermentation process.

In contrast to tomatoes and their seeds, which take longer to ferment, cucumber is easy on the stomach and digests more quickly.

However, the enzyme normally interacts with the vitamin C in the cucumber flesh when it is chopped or sliced, which starts this process. The vitamin C content of cucumbers is not considerably impacted when they are taken whole because the enzyme is less likely to interact with the vitamin C in the same way.

What happens, though, if you consume cucumbers and other veggies at the same time?

When consumed simultaneously, the enzymes in cucumbers are unlikely to appreciably degrade the vitamin C in other vegetables. Several enzymes, both those made by the body and those found in the meal itself, work together during the chewing and digestion of food. To significantly break down vitamin C, these enzymes often aren't present in sufficient quantities or aren't active at the pH levels seen in the mouth and stomach.

So, feel free to eat your favorite vegetables with your cucumbers!

The enzymes in the cucumbers shouldn't have a substantial impact on the vitamin C level of your veggies. This misconception should not prevent you from including a variety of vegetables in your meals.

AA I Floricel N. Denopol, RND

 

References:

Tomato and Cucumber

https://ostrali.com/the-recipe-for-avocado-tomato-cucumber-salad/

Can eating cucumber and tomatoes together harm your digestive system?

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/have-you-been-eating-tomatoes-and-cucumber-together-read-this/photostory/77152514.cms

Is it good to eat cucumbers and tomatoes together?

https://www.lamansiondelasideas.com/en/fruits-and-vegetables/is-it-good-to-eat-cucumbers-and-tomatoes-together/