Cucumber vs. Eggplant — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Calories

Both cucumber and eggplant are low in calories. Cucumber contains 15 calories per 100g, whereas eggplant contains 25 calories per 100g. They both can be an excellent addition to low-calorie diets.

Fats

Both plants have fats of less than 1g. Cucumber contains 0.11g of fat, and the eggplant has 0.18g of fat. Due to their low-fat content, cucumber and eggplant can be added to the list of recommended foods for low-fat diets, such as The Paleo Diet and The Vegan Diet.

Carbs

Eggplant has two times more carbs than cucumber; however, the carbs content of both plants is shallow. Eggplant contains 5.88g of carbs per 100g, whereas cucumber contains 3.63g of carbs per 100g. Eggplant has 3g fiber and 2.88g net carbs. In addition, eggplant falls in the range of the top 27% of foods as a source of fiber.

Cucumber provides 0.5g of fiber and 3.13g of net carbs.

Both are considered low carbs foods.

Cholesterol

Both plants have no cholesterol.

Protein

Cucumber and eggplant have tiny and equal amounts of protein.

Vitamins

Eggplant contains nine times more Vitamin E and five times more Vitamin B3 than cucumber. Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, and folate are also higher in eggplant.

On the other hand, cucumber contains more Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K.

Both eggplant and cucumber have an equal amount of Vitamin B5.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Cucumber

3

:

7

Eggplant

Contains more Vitamin A +356.5%

Contains more Vitamin C +27.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +368.6%

Contains more Vitamin E +900%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +44.4%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +12.1%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +562.2%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +110%

Contains more Folate +214.3%

Equal in Vitamin B5 - 0.281

Cucumber

Eggplant

Contains more Vitamin A +356.5%

Contains more Vitamin C +27.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +368.6%

Contains more Vitamin E +900%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +44.4%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +12.1%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +562.2%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +110%

Contains more Folate +214.3%

Equal in Vitamin B5 - 0.281

Minerals

Cucumber is relatively higher in calcium, zinc, and iron, whereas eggplant provides more potassium and copper.

Both plants have equal amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium.

Small mention: both plants are deficient in sodium: 2mg per 100g.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Cucumber

3

:

4

Eggplant

Contains more Calcium +77.8%

Contains more Iron +21.7%

Contains more Zinc +25%

Contains more Potassium +55.8%

Contains more Copper +97.6%

Contains more Manganese +193.7%

Equal in Magnesium - 14

Equal in Phosphorus - 24

Equal in Sodium - 2

Equal in Selenium - 0.3

Cucumber

Eggplant

Contains more Calcium +77.8%

Contains more Iron +21.7%

Contains more Zinc +25%

Contains more Potassium +55.8%

Contains more Copper +97.6%

Contains more Manganese +193.7%

Equal in Magnesium - 14

Equal in Phosphorus - 24

Equal in Sodium - 2

Equal in Selenium - 0.3

Glycemic Index

Overall, vegetables are considered low glycemic index foods. However, the glycemic index of cucumber is a bit lower than that of eggplant.

Cucumber has a glycemic index of 21 and a glycemic load of 1.5.

Eggplant has a GI of 30 and a glycemic load of 1. This means that consumption of both plants will not raise your blood sugar levels.

Cardiovascular Health

Cucurbitacins are compounds found in cucumbers, which have both toxic and beneficial health effects. One of the advantages is that they can prevent or slow the progression of atherosclerosis by modifying lipoproteins. According to one study [1], cucumber lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure in older people. The potential mechanism is due to its diuretic effect, which reduces circulating fluid in the bloodstream, reducing the workload on the heart.

For 30 days, animals were fed either raw or grilled eggplant in one study [2]. Both types improved heart function and reduced the severity of heart attacks. However, more research is needed to determine how eggplants affect human heart health.

Cancer

Research shows that cucurbitacins inhibit tumor cell growth and signaling pathways and cause cancer cells to die. Cucurbitacins have antitumor activity against lung, pancreatic, colon, breast, and cervical cancers [3]. Triterpenes and lignans isolated from cucumber have shown anticancer activity against liver cancer by inducing cancer cell death [4].

Solasodine rhamnosyl glycosides (SRGs) are compounds found in nightshade plants such as eggplant. SRGs have been shown in animal studies [5] to cause cancer cell death and may also help reduce the recurrence of certain types of cancer.

Diabetes

Eggplants are high in phenolic compounds, which according to research, may regulate carbohydrate metabolism in the body. This mechanism gives insulin more time to digest the carbohydrates, mostly from refined foods with little fiber or vitamin content [6].

Another study found that polyphenols can help lower blood sugar by reducing sugar absorption and increasing insulin secretion. Eating eggplant inhibits the enzyme that converts starch into blood sugar, making it one of the most effective foods for diabetes prevention [7].

Skin Health

Keeping your skin hydrated helps to improve elasticity and firmness. Lack of hydration can cause your skin to appear dry and flaky and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Cucumbers are high in polysaccharides, which can help to keep the skin elastic and healthy. Cucumbers are mostly water; in fact, they are 96 percent water. Cucumbers' high water content is a crucial benefit because it allows them to provide superior hydration to the skin [8].

Other Health Benefits

Cucumbers are high in water (96%), which may help to keep you hydrated. Dehydration is a risk factor for constipation because it may make your stool passage difficult. Staying hydrated can help with softer stools, relieve constipation, and improve regularity if the constipation is due to dehydration [9]. 
Eggplant is rich in dietary fiber. It may beneficially affect chronic functional constipation and IBS and lower the risk of hemorrhoids and diverticulosis [10].

Animal studies [11] suggest that nasunin, an anthocyanin found in eggplant skin, may help protect brain cell membranes from free radical damage.

Anthocyanins also help to reduce neuroinflammation and increase blood flow to the brain. This may aid in preventing memory loss and other aspects of aging-related mental decline [12].

Allergy

Cucurbits have been linked to oral allergy syndrome (itching, burning, redness, and swelling of the lips), nausea, diarrhea, asthma, rhinitis, watery eyes, and contact urticaria. Eggplant belongs to a family of plants known as nightshades. People may more likely develop an eggplant allergy if allergic to other nightshades, including tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers.

Cucumbers and eggplants contain salicylate, so people who are allergic to Aspirin should avoid cucumbers, apples, almonds, oranges, berries, tomatoes, and other foods [13].