Last updated on September 5th, 2018 at 12:48 pm
Did you know that cucumber contains Phytochemical which has therapeutic properties? Cucumber has been used in traditional Indian medicines since ages. It contains plenty of water, has low calorie contents and thus great to keep your body hydrated for longer period of time. It’s a perfect vegetable for diabetic and for those, who want to lose weight. It also has antioxidants which are beneficial for skin. Benefits of cucumber include detoxification of system, digestion and much more. Today in this post, we are going to learn about various health benefits of cucumber and why it should be included in your daily diet.
Cucumbers, water melons, squash, pumpkins all belong to the same family, meaning, they are all fruits which will keep you hydrated in the scorching Indian summers. India, being a tropical country has a longer summer season. The fruits with high water contents help to maintain the pH balance of the body, and thus preventing various diseases like heat stroke. Cucumber is considered as a vegetable and it is a part of green salads and also pickles. Now that the summers have arrived, time has come to enjoy the watery vegetable in full form.
Cucumbers are tasty, with a slight smell like melons, the aroma is itself refreshing. In fact, the light green colour of the cucumber pulps is soothing, complementary to the terrible summer heat. Not only the inner part of cucumber, but the cucumber peel is also very nutritious and beneficial for overall health.
Nutritious value
Cucumber is a highly nutritious vegetable rich in minerals, vitamins, iron, potassium, and it has up to 95% of water content, which makes it a perfect food for summer. According to United States Department of Agriculture, one cup of sliced cucumber with peel will have:
- 115 grams of water
- 16 calories
- 0.8 grams of protein
- 0.2 grams of fat
2.9 grams of carbohydrate (including 0.9 grams of fiber and 1.8 grams of sugar)
Cucumbers are rich in Vitamin K, C, copper, potassium, manganese, and primarily water, which make the vegetable a prominent part of the balanced diet. In the modern lifestyle, fast foods and junk foods are unhealthy stuff that you are eating at frequent intervals. If you eat the cucumber, then it will help you to flush out the toxins out of the body, thus helping you to get rid of various illnesses.
Magical health benefits of cucumber
There are many health benefits of cucumber, both on health and also beauty. You will find that there are many creams and lotions where cucumber is mentioned as one of the primary ingredients. Health benefits of cucumber is not limited to cosmetics and beauty, it’s equally beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing.
While, I was suffering from jaundice, few years back, I was advised by doctor to include cucumber in the diet, because it has high water content. You are aware that during jaundice, patient is often advised to drink lots and lots of water, and cucumber helped me to keep my body hydrated.
Since then, I have started eating cucumber daily, all round the year, and I could feel the change in me. Let me now start with the healthy benefits of this green super vegetable, shall we?
Keeps you hydrated
Maintaining the water levels in the body is essential because it enhances proper digestion, blood circulation in the blood vessels and also proper kidney functioning. Diseases like kidney stones or gall bladder stones can be prevented if your body is sufficiently hydrated. Benefits of cucumber will be significant if you eat one cucumber in any form everyday.
Heart healthy
Cucumber is rich in potassium and water, and the diuretic effects of the vegetable helps to regulate the blood pressure in the heart. The blood pressure is the rate of the blood flow at which it passes through the arteries and blood vessels. If the blood pressure increases, then there are high risks of heart attack and heart failure. Cucumber helps in normalizing the blood pressure and the pulse rate, thus ensuring a healthy heart.
Good for dental care
Cucumbers help to prevent gum problems and ensure good dental care. Cucumbers help to get rid of bad breath; it kills the bad breath causing bacteria of the mouth. Cucumbers have phytochemical that kills the bacteria and also help in salivation. You can prevent tooth decay, gum infections, and some diseases like pyorrhea and weak gums. Consume raw slices of cucumber daily and prevent the dental problems.
Helps reduce stress
Cucumber can be really beneficial in managing your stress level. Cucumbers have Vitamin B1, B5, B7, and Vitamin B complex which is known to reduce the feeling of anxiety, depression and stress. Diseases like insomnia can also be cured with the help of cucumber; the water will help in better digestion, serotonin and melatonin the happy hormones will be released in the blood. You can reduce the stress and relax.
Improve digestion
Cucumber is rich in water and fiber. The skin of the vegetable is rich in fiber which facilitates bowel movements. The cucumber maintains the pH balance of the liver, water helps in better digestion, and the digestive juice is secreted in ample quantity. The food is digested faster and this releases glucose in the blood. The cucumber can also relieve constipation as it ensures smooth movement of the stool along the intestinal tract.
Weight loss
The cucumber will make you fuller for longer hours, as there is water and soluble fiber. It can be a tasty snack, cut some slices, add some salt and black pepper, and enjoy it. You do not have to eat some oily foods; rather you can have the fresh green cucumber. The cucumber has no calories, so it a healthy snack.
Cancer prevention
Vitamin C found in cucumber strengthens the immunity of your body and prevents various kinds of cancers. Cucumber has lariciresinol, pinoresinol, secoisolariciresinol that help in preventing various kinds of cancers. Breast cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer can be prevented by the regular consumption of cucumber.
Cures hangover
Cucumbers are rich in sugar, Vitamin B and electrolytes which help to reduce the hangover. The water content of the cucumber wash away all the toxins from your body that you have consumed during drinking. The hangover symptoms like head ache and nauseous feeling can be cured easily by the consumption of cucumber slices or cucumber juice.
Benefits of cucumber on skin and hair
Not just the health benefits, this vegetable is beneficial for your skin and hair too. Whatever the problem be, your skin or hair, cucumber can help you immensely.
- Cut some circular slices of cucumber and put them on your eyelids. This will help you to remove the dark circles.
- If you have acne, dark spots, or pigmentation, then apply some cucumber juice to the affected areas, and then wash off after keeping it for 15 minutes. Do it daily for better results.
- You can also use the cucumber juice as a toner. Take some cucumber juice, mix it with rose water, and then apply it on your face with a cotton wool. Keep it overnight.
- You can add the juice with any face pack, and then apply too.
- Cucumber juice is also a natural bleaching agent, so you can use it to remove sun tan.
- You can use the juice as a hair conditioner too, apply it after shampooing in wet hair. Wash off after keeping for 10 minutes.
- Cucumber juice is also used to reduce the dandruff in the dry scalp. It helps in moisturizing the scalp.
- If you are having split ends, then apply cucumber juice mixed with egg white and vinegar. You will get shining hair. Do this twice a week and get rid of split ends.
Over to you
Cucumber has multiple benefits, like it can help in preventing certain problems:
- Cancer
- Kidney stones
- Heart problems
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Dark spots
- Dandruff
- Split ends
Now that you know the all round benefits of this super food cucumber, I am sure you will start taking it from today itself. Do you take cucumber daily? How do you take it?
