Cucumber is a fruit cum vegetable.It is loaded with lots of health benefits.
It has a slightly sweet flavour and is mainly eaten raw in salad or sandwiches or in the form of juice.
Here are the health benefits of cucumber which makes it incredible:
1. Fight Constipation:
The amount of calories in cucumber is very low and it contains just 15 grams of calories per 100 grams. It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation .
2. High Fiber:
Cucumber peel is a very good source of dietary fiber . It helps to reduce constipation and indigestion and prevents stomach related diseases by eliminating toxic compounds from the gut.
3. Healthy Urinary Bladder and Kidney:
It has healing attributes in relation to the diseases of urinary bladder and kidney. The water content in cucumber aids the function of kidney by promoting urination. Regular consumption of cucumber can also dissolve kidney stones over time .
4. Aids Digestion:
Digestive problems like heartburn, acidity, gastritis and even ulcer can be cured by daily consumption of cucumber or cucumber juice. It can also treat the problem of constipation. Cucumber contains an enzyme called Erepsin which aids in the digestion of protein .
5. Fight Intestinal Worm:
Not just cucumber and its juice, but its seeds are also highly beneficial. Cucumber seeds are considered as a natural remedy to eliminate tape worm from intestinal tracts. The seeds also have anti-inflammatory properties (5) which are effective in the treatment of swellings of mucous membranes of the nose and throat.’
6. Good Dosage of Potassium:
Cucumbers are one of the best sources of potassium and contain 147 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams. This heart friendly electrolyte reduces blood pressure level in the body and reduces heart rate by minimizing the effects of sodium (6).
7. High in Antioxidants:
Cucumbers contain good amount of antioxidants like B carotene, A-carotene, zea-xanthin and lutein (7). These compounds act as a scavenger against free radicals that lead to ageing and other age related diseases.
8. Reduces Inflammation:
Fresh cucumber extracts are also known to reduce unwanted inflammation. It accomplishes the task by inhabiting activity of pro inflammatory enzymes like cyclo-oxyenase and by preventing over production of nitric oxides which leads to excessive inflammation (8).
9. Beneficial for Diabetics:
Cucumber juice contains hormones. These are needed by the pancreas for producing insulin which is extremely beneficial to diabetic patients. Copper in cucumber also aids to produce healthy blood cells and improves blood circulation in the body (9).
Cucumbers are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These 3 lignans are strongly connected with reducing the risk of developing several kinds of cancer like breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer. When we consume these lignans, bacteria found in our digestive tract take hold of these lignans and convert them into enterolignans. These enterolignans bind on to the estrogens receptors to reduce estrogens related diseases like cancer (10).
11. Good for Dental Health:
Cucumber also cares for the dental health by combating bad breath. The vegetable releases phytochemical which kill the bad breath causing bacteria. Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of the mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds. The phytochemicals will kill the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath. Raw cucumber increases salivation and brings a neutralisation of acids and alkali in oral cavity. Cucumber juice can effectively treat gum diseases like pyorrhoeaand weak gums (11).
12. Cures Hangover:
Cucumber can also be used to cure hangover and headache associated with it. This is because they help to rehydrate the body’s nutrients and eliminate the toxins that are present due to the intake of alcohol. Eat few cucumber slices before going to bed. The sugar, vitamin B and electrolytes content in cucumber will reduce the intensity of hangover and headache (12).
13. Good for Treating Blood Pressure Issues:
Cumber has mild diuretic properties owing to its high potassium and water content. It also has agood amount of manganese, potassium and fibre which regulates the blood pressure and treats both high and low blood pressure. Steam produced while boiling cucumber acts as a stress reliever and calms and relaxes the senses and muscles (13).
14. Flushes Out Waste From the Body:
Cucumber contains 95% water which hydrates and replenishes the body by eliminating the toxins. The high water content in cucumber acts as a system cleanser and sweeps the waste products out of the system (14).
15. Strengthens Bones:
Vitamin K in cucumbers plays a very important role in strengthening bones by promoting orthotropic activity (15). The high amount of silica in it promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissue. It is also a good source of calcium making it perfect for vegan diet. Getting enough calcium also maintains the body’s hormone balance by controlling hormone release.
16. Treats Alzheimer’s:
Copper in cucumber help the people to make neurotransmitters, the family of chemicals, which brain needs to communicate. It also helps in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by limiting neutral damage in the brain (16).
Skin Benefits of Cucumber:
Most of the hair care and skin care products are manufactured using cucumber as one of its main ingredients. The raw fruit is also used in many beauty parlours and spas in their facial treatments to reduce wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes.
Some of the major cucumber benefits for skin are:
17. Revitalizes Skin:
The greatest and most important skin benefit of cucumber is that it helps in revitalizing the skin. Facial masks containing cucumber juice are beneficial for skin tightening (17).
18. Reverses Skin Tanning:
It has a mild bleaching property which can reverse skin tanning and give you youthful and glowing skin (18).
19. Controls Puffiness of the Eyes:
If you are worried about eye puffiness then cucumbers can provide you with instant relief. The ascorbic acid and caffeic acid in cucumber brings down the water retention rate which in turn diminishes the swelling and puffiness around the yes (19).
20. Helps Soothe Sunburn:
Putting cucumber slices or puree on sunburnt skin brings instant relief. Thus cucumber is a natural and gentle way to treat sun burn (20).
21. Rejuvenates Skin:
The most common use of cucumber pulp and juice is to improve complexion and rejuvenate the skin. Mix cucumber juice with a few drop of lemon juice and apply it as a facial mask. This will improve the complexion and will add a glow to the skin (21).
22. Treats Open Pores:
You can also use cucumber to treat open pores and heat bumps on legs. Extract cucumber juice and use it as a toner. You can also mix it with apple cider vinegar, tomato pulp and Aloe Vera gel to make it more effective (22).
23. Fights Cellulite:
Cucumber can also help to banish cellulite of thighs. Mix some ground coffee with cucumber juice and raw honey to make a thick paste. Apply this on the affected areas, wrap it in muslin cloth and exfoliate gently after 30 minutes. Eating cucumber can also treat cellulite (23).
24. Hydrates Skin:
Cucumber contains 95% of water which keeps the skin hydrated and well moisturised. Its seeds are rich in Vitamin E and potassium which help in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and other signs of ageing (24).
25. Reduces Dark Circles:
Putting cucumber slices around the eyes also reduces the appearance of dark circles quickly. The abundance of antioxidants and silica within the cucumber can rejuvenate the skin and fade dark circles. Place 2 slices of cucumbers on the eyes and leave it for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can also soak 2 cotton balls in cucumber juice and place them on your eyes (25).
26. Treats Blemishes:
You can use grated cucumber to treat freckles and blemishes. Apply cucumber juice all over the face to treat freckles and spots (26).