Television star Anita Hassanandani has stumbled upon a fascinating culinary trick that is delighting social media users and her son alike. She recently revealed that eating a piece of cucumber with a pinch of sugar creates a surprising flavor identical to watermelon.
The Viral Discovery
Hassanandani shared this cool hack during a recent interview with Filmgyaan. While the combination of cucumber and sugar has been trending on platforms like TikTok for a while, it was a novel and exciting find for the actress. Her immediate reaction was to think of how happy the discovery would make her young son.
The simple trick involves taking a slice of fresh cucumber and sprinkling a small amount of sugar on it before eating. The result, as claimed by the viral trend and confirmed by the actress, is a taste sensation that remarkably mimics the sweet, refreshing flavor of watermelon right inside your mouth.
The Science Behind the Flavor Illusion
But what is the logic that makes this simple combination work so effectively? Indianexpress.com consulted a health expert to get a scientific explanation.
CV Aishwarya, a clinical nutritionist and lecturer at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai, provided a detailed breakdown. She explained that watermelon, cucumber, and sugar share volatile aromatic compounds that create their closely related flavor and fragrance profiles.
"Since both cucumber and watermelon belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, they naturally possess similar aldehydes and alcohols," Aishwarya elaborated. "These are highly volatile molecules responsible for the distinctive fresh melon-like aroma."
She further clarified that when sugar is added, it performs a dual function. It heightens the sweetness perception while simultaneously suppressing the cucumber's mild vegetal bitterness. This clever combination allows the fruity aldehydes to become more prominent, effectively tricking the brain into perceiving the flavor as that of a juicy watermelon.
Health Impact and Nutritional Considerations
While the taste hack is fun and intriguing, it's essential to understand its nutritional implications. Cucumber is widely recognized as a low-calorie, hydrating food packed with beneficial antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene, and flavonoids.
In contrast, sugar is energy-dense but offers calories without any accompanying vitamins, minerals, or fiber. Aishwarya noted that when consumed together, the cucumber's fiber and high water content may slightly buffer the glycemic effect. However, the addition of sugar ultimately lowers the overall nutrient quality of the combination.
The expert provided specific details about the glycemic impact: "The glycemic index of cucumber is notably low at around 15, whereas refined sugar has a significantly higher GI of approximately 65." Therefore, combining them produces a moderate glycemic response but still triggers a quicker rise in blood glucose compared to eating cucumber alone.
On the positive side, cucumber's impressive 96% water content and naturally occurring potassium and magnesium support hydration and electrolyte equilibrium. Aishwarya added a crucial point about sugar quantity: "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."
This fun food hack offers an innovative way to enjoy a healthy vegetable while satisfying sweet cravings, though moderation with the sugar component remains key to maintaining its health benefits.
