Want a refreshing snack? Here are 9 healthy reasons to munch on cucumbers
If you are looking for a quick and healthy snack to refresh you during warmer seasons, try munching on cucumbers or drinking cucumber juice. Cucumbers are often referred to as a superfood. They are the fourth most cultivated fruit in the world, and are known to be one of the best foods to consume for a healthier body as it provides a unique combination of nutrients.
At the top of the phytonutrient list for cucumbers are its cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids. These three types of phytonutrients found in cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. Here are nine of the amazing health benefits of cucumbers:
1. Rehydrates the body and replenishes daily vitamins
Cucumbers are 95% water so it helps keep the body hydrated while eliminating toxins. Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. When snacking on a cucumber, don’t forget to leave the skin on because the skin contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 10% of the daily-recommended allowance.
2. Serves as a quick pick-me-up
Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins, which are essential nutrients that help convert food into fuel, allowing us to stay energized throughout the day. Instead of trying to keep you energy level high with sugar-loaded sodas and coffee, eat a cucumber slice instead.
3. Aids in weight loss and digestion
Due to its low calorie and high water content, cucumber is an ideal addition to the daily diet of people looking to shed some weight. The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumbers are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from the digestive system, aiding digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation as well.
4. Great for skin and hair care
If you don’t like eating cucumber skin, it can be used for skin irritations and sunburns just like how you would use aloe. Place a slice of cucumber over puffy eyes as its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness. The silicon and sulfur in cucumbers also help to stimulate hair growth.
5. Relieves bad breath
Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
6. Cures hangovers
To avoid a morning hangover or headache, eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins, and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients, reducing the intensity of both hangover and headache.
7. Promotes joint health, relieves gout and arthritis pain
Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is known to help promote joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. Cucumbers are also rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. When mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels.
8. Treats diabetes, reduces cholesterol and controls blood pressure
Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patients. Researchers found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers may help reduce cholesterol levels. Cucumbers contain a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber. These work effectively for regulating blood pressure. This makes cucumbers good for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure.
9. Fights cancers
Cucumbers are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These three lignans have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and prostate cancer.
