What compound found in cucumbers is responsible for potential bitterness and can sometimes cause mild indigestion, leading some to scrape the seeds?
Answer
Cucurbitacin
Cucurbitacin is a naturally occurring compound in cucumbers that, when present in higher concentrations, imparts a distinct bitterness to the vegetable. For sensitive individuals, this compound can lead to mild indigestion. Because the seeds sometimes harbor higher concentrations of this substance, scraping or removing them can be a practical measure taken to mitigate potential digestive irritation when eating raw cucumbers.
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