Cucumbers & Belching
The cucumber is a popular green vegetable that can contribute to a healthy, fiber-rich diet. When some people consume cucumbers, however, they experience digestive trouble in the form of gas, which in turn leads to belching.
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What Is a Cucumber?
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The cucumber, a member of the gourd family, is believed to have originated in India. By the 14th century it had spread throughout Asia and Europe.
The name "cucumber" has been thought variously to have originated from the Latin "cucumis," the Bohemian "agryka," the German "gurke," the Greek "aggouria" and the Aryan "gherkin".
Almost all of the varieties of cucumbers grown today were cultivated some 400 years ago.
Types of Cucumbers
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Cucumbers may be divided into two types: slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers.
The slicing variety includes garden, English, Japanese, American, Armenian and lemon. These cucumbers are enjoyable eaten alone, in salads and with other vegetable dishes.
The pickling varieties include gherkin, cornichon and kirby, but the lemon cucumber may also be used for pickling. Pickling is the process of preserving foods through fermentation in brine---a salt solution.
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Why Can Cucumbers Cause Belching?
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Cucumbers may cause noticeable effects in the digestive system. Belching---or burping---is the body's way of expelling excess gas or air from the stomach by way of the mouth. The high content of soluble and insoluble fibers and the complex sugar raffinose in cucumbers produce the gas that triggers belching. Raffinose is a common culprit behind gas production in the body. It is found in very high levels in beans.
Types of Cucumbers That Lessen the Effects of Belching
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Certain strains of cucumbers are known to be better choices for those who experience belching issues. The lemon cucumber, which is round and yellow in color, contains a smaller amount of the enzymes that cause digestive distress. Recent studies have also shown that the thin-skinned varieties, such as English and Armenian, are easier to digest.
Remedies for Belching
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Various natural and pharmaceutical remedies help ease the discomfort associated with gas accumulation. Over-the-counter enzyme supplements, which make gas-producing foods easier to digest by breaking down the carbohydrates, are widely available.
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References
- Photo Credit cucumber image by Andrzej Wlodarczyk from Fotolia.com
