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 can both be excellent additions to low-calorie diets.

Fats

Both plants have fats of less than 1g. Cucumbers contain 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

Eggplants have two times more carbs than cucumbers; however, the carb 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 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-carb foods.

Cholesterol

Both plants have no cholesterol.

Protein

Cucumbers 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

Eggplant

7

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C	+27.3%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+356.5%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K	+368.6%

Contains more Vitamin E Vitamin E	+900%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+44.4%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+12.1%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+562.2%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+110%
Contains more FolateFolate	+214.3%
Contains more CholineCholine	+15%

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B5 ~0.281mg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

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

Eggplant

3

Contains more CalciumCalcium	+77.8%
Contains more IronIron	+21.7%
Contains more ZincZinc	+25%

Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+55.8%
Contains more CopperCopper	+97.6%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+193.7%

~equal in Magnesium ~14mg

~equal in Phosphorus ~24mg

~equal in Sodium ~2mg

~equal in Selenium ~0.3µg

Glycemic Index

Overall, vegetables are considered low-glycemic-index foods. However, the glycemic index of cucumber is slightly 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

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan

Cucumbers contain antioxidants such as beta-carotene, flavonoids, and tannins, which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially slowing the development of atherosclerosis, the main cause of coronary artery disease. However, eggplants have a higher concentration of potent antioxidants such as nasunin (anthocyanin) and chlorogenic acid, which are more effective in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This makes eggplants more beneficial in potentially preventing the development of atherosclerosis. 

Blood Pressure Regulation 

Cucumbers are highly hydrated because they have a water content of about 95%, which is vital in maintaining proper hydration levels and regulating blood pressure. In addition to their high water content, cucumbers also contain potassium, which contributes to lowering blood pressure. On the other hand, eggplants are rich in polyphenols, compounds found to improve endothelial function, a crucial factor in blood pressure regulation. Furthermore, eggplants also provide significant amounts of potassium and magnesium, both of which are essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Therefore, while both vegetables contribute to blood pressure regulation, eggplants offer additional benefits due to their polyphenol content (1, 2). 

LDL Cholesterol Levels 

Both cucumbers and eggplants contain dietary fiber that can help lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels by promoting its excretion from the body. However, eggplants have a higher fiber content compared to cucumbers. Additionally, eggplants contain chlorogenic acid, which has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and improve lipid profiles more effectively than the fiber in cucumbers. This makes eggplants more effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels (2). 

In conclusion, while both cucumbers and eggplants contribute to cardiovascular health, eggplants may have a slight edge due to their higher fiber content, more potent antioxidants, and additional bioactive compounds, making them particularly beneficial for reducing LDL cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk.

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. Cucumber's 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 be more likely to develop an eggplant allergy if allergic to other nightshades, including tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers.

Cucumbers and eggplants contain salicylate, so people allergic to Aspirin should avoid cucumbers, apples, almonds, oranges, berries, tomatoes, and other foods (13).