You’re probably familiar with the old adage, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ – but suitably named TikTok nutritionist Dr Blake Livingood thinks another, lesser-known fruit is better placed to protect our health when eaten regularly.
Dr Livingood, who has written four books about how to boost your immune system through food, has shared his secret to beating the afternoon slump with his 177,000 followers on the platform, and urged them to abandon caffeinated energy drinks in favour of a snack from mother nature.
Known for regularly disseminating advice across TikTok and Instagram, the nutritional expert has built up a loyal and health-aware audience. It’s not surprise, then, that so many of them were receptive to his spotlight on the benefits of eating “at least half a cucumber” a day to supercharge vitamin and micronutrient intake.
In a video posted to TikTok, Dr Livingood said cucumbers “contain most of the vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that you need every single day”. He also addressed the common misconception that cucumbers are vegetables – describing them as “botanically a fruit” although “culinarily they’re treated as vegetables”.
He explained that while energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster include B vitamins and electrolytes to boost performance, nothing beats naturally occuring ingredients. Alongside providing B1, B2 and B3, cucumbers help along “lots of other processes in the body” and are a source of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which “most people are deficient in”.
“We’re also getting extra fibre, which is going to aid in weight loss and make us more full,” the health guru added.
“Ignore sodas, simply pick up a cucumber.”
TikTok users seemed amenable to the suggestion in the comments, with one person writing: “Cucumbers and hummus are my favourite lunch! I never understood why I enjoyed it so much until hearing this. I am low in B vitamins which would explain why I crave it.”
Dr Livingood told other users to eat between half and a whole cucumber a day for maximum benefits and to keep the skin on to get all the nutrients possible.
HealthLine reiterates his advice, describing the fruit as “high in beneficial nutrients as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions”.
“They are also low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fibre, making them ideal for promoting dehydration and aiding in weight loss,” according to the website.