Health Benefits of Cucumbers

A cylindrical fruit with shades of varying green exterior, cucumber is used in various ways for eating and it is used for skin care needs too. Scientifically it is related to the family of summer squash. Cucumber plant is a creeping vine and it as some species. Cucumbers are cultivated nearly all over the year. It was first cultivated in India and later the popularity and use spread in other continents. In this article, we have brought tremendous health benefits of cucumbers that you should be aware of.

Nuances of Cucumber:-

Cucumber is filled mostly with water and it is also low in calorie. The pale green flesh is crispy yet watery. There are plenty of edible fleshy seeds inside. The exterior skin may be both smooth and ridged.


How to Eat Cucumber:-


Most of the time Cucumber is eaten raw and that is how you can obtain most of the health benefits of cucumbers. It is sliced and eaten raw in the salad by most people. You can mix it with many other fruits and vegetable in salads. It is also used to make vegetable sandwiches. It is possible to blend it with other fruits to make smoothies. Cucumber juice when mixed with lemon and mint leaves, taste really nice. Since cucumber lacks a strong flavour, people like eating it after freezing and sprinkling salt and pepper on top

Major Health Benefits of Cucumbers


1. Cucumber Keeps Your Body Hydrated:-


It is important to keep your body hydrated, regardless of age and gender. While drinking water is the best option, it may not be possible to carry water when you are outside. However, carrying a few cucumbers in your bag is simple and they are not going to lead to a mess! By eating raw cucumbers, you provide your body with ample water. Hydration is among the top health benefits of cucumbers you can avail, more so in the scorching days of summer.


2. Cucumber is Great for Skin:-


You cannot undermine cucumber benefits for skin, whether you live in the tropical region or Europe. Cucumber juice works as an excellent natural toner for your skin. Those with oily and combination skin can mix it with lemon juice and obtain cucumber benefits for the skin. It tightens up skin pores and makes your skin look oil free for several hours. You can use cucumber for skin without worrying about side effects, as it is.

Cucumber slices cooled in the fridge can be placed on your eyes to reduce puffy eye bags. This works better than many OTC under eye creams! You can also cool cucumber juice in the refrigerator and then spray it on the face for relief after coming home from the sun.



3. Cucumber is Great for Weight Loss:-


With obesity affecting a lot of women and men across the globe, it has become necessary to eat the right kind of foods to shed excess flab. While you may try various diets and resort to hitting the gym, including cucumber in your meals can help lose weight. Its high amount of water and dietary fibre can help you stay full and feel less hungry and so cucumber benefits for weight loss should not be overlooked. Its calorific value is also on the lower side so you can safely include it in low-calorie diets! Combining lemon and cucumber water for weight loss is also a good idea.


4. It Helps to Improve Digestion:-


You will find a lot of people suffering from digestion related problems nowadays, including kids and the elderly lot. While eating oatmeal can help in resolving bowel woes, you may also think of eating cucumber daily to get rid of digestion woes like constipation. Its fibre content helps clear bowel problems.



5. It Fights Diabetes:-


Diabetes is a global health hazard affecting billions of people from diverse ethnicity. While there are treatments to keep diabetes in control, using, natural remedies come across as a better option. Studies have shown cucumber juice has a hormone which helps cells of the pancreas in generating insulin.


6. Cucumber Helps to Control Blood Pressure and Cholesterol:-


The sterols in cucumbers can help bring down cholesterol levels in your body. Besides, nutritional health benefits of cucumbers also cover cardiac health. Its nutrient like potassium, magnesium helps in keeping blood pressure in limits. This eventually helps you cope better, with conditions that can lead to the onset of cardiac problems.


7. It Helps to Treat Inflammation:-


Eating cucumbers will help you cope with a variety of inflammation-related health problems. Cucumber contains silica, which helps enhance joint health. The Calcium, Magnesium in the fruit can help cope with gout and similar pain.


8. It Lowers the Risk of Cancer:-


A number of studies have observed that cucumber contains a type of polyphenol named lignans. These are reportedly effective in fighting certain types of cancer. These can reduce the risk of cardiovascular, ovarian and breast cancer.



9. Cucumber Helps to Enhance Immunity:-


Cucumber is also imbued with vitamin C. Intake of Vitamin C helps enhance immunity in the human body. This helps your body fight off infection better and you become less susceptible to fluid, cold and such ailments. Vitamin C also helps in collagen production, which helps maintain skin health.


10. It Helps in Blood Clotting:-


The cucumber juice benefits also extend to blood clotting. Without proper clotting, the risk of severe bleeding in surgery or post accidents is there. The Vitamin K found in cucumber helps in blood clotting, However, the majority of this vitamin is present in the peel of the fruit. So, you may make juice, without peeling off the skin to obtain maximum health benefits.



11. Cucumber Helps to Develop Healthy Bones:-


To promote healthy bones, it is important to intake foods with calcium and vitamin K. The nutrition cucumbers offer includes these two ingredients. It is especially good for senior women who are more prone to develop brittle bones with age.


To obtain the benefits of cucumber water or raw cucumbers, it is important that you buy and eat the fresh ones. Buying organic cucumbers is the best option even though they may cost more. You should always shop for the cucumbers with the tender green skin. Avoid the ones with hardened yellowish skin as the seeds become quite hard inside.