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The cucumber and sugar combination might be going viral on TikTok for a while, but Anita Hassanandani just stumbled upon this cool hack in a recent interview with Filmgyaan, The hack claims that if you eat a cucumber with a pinch of sugar, the combination tastes like a watermelon inside the mouth. But what’s the logic behind it? Indianexpress.com reached out to a health expert and found out.
CV Aishwarya, a clinical nutritionist and lecturer at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, explained that watermelon, cucumber, and sugar share volatile aromatic compounds that contribute to their closely related flavor and fragrance profiles.
“Since both cucumber and watermelon belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, they naturally possess similar aldehydes and alcohols—highly volatile molecules responsible for the distinctive fresh melon-like aroma. When sugar is added, it heightens the sweetness perception while suppressing cucumber’s mild vegetal bitterness,” she elaborated, further adding that this allows the fruity aldehydes to become more prominent, leading the brain to perceive the flavor as that of watermelon.
Cucumber is a low-calorie, hydrating food abundant in antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and flavonoids. In contrast, sugar is energy-dense yet nutritionally poor, offering calories without any accompanying vitamins, minerals, or fiber.
“When the two are consumed together, cucumber’s fiber and high water content may slightly buffer the glycemic effect, but the addition of sugar ultimately lowers the overall nutrient quality of the combination,” said Aishwarya.
She added that the glycemic index (GI) of cucumber is notably low (around 15), whereas refined sugar has a significantly higher GI (around 65). Therefore, combining them produces a moderate glycemic response, but still triggers a quicker rise in blood glucose compared to cucumber alone.
With its 96% water content and naturally occurring potassium and magnesium, cucumber supports hydration and electrolyte equilibrium.
“A small quantity of sugar may enhance glucose absorption in the intestine—similar to the mechanism of oral rehydration solutions—but excessive sugar can cause an osmotic imbalance, drawing water out of cells and potentially leading to dehydration over time,” she concluded.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
