Other than being a great source of refreshment for those sizzling summer days, cucumbers are also packed with numerous health benefits.
They are abundant in water, electrolytes, and nutrients. And to top it all off, they are super low in calories!
Their origin comes from the northern Himalayan Plains in India. They are considered some of the oldest crops in human history.
They are a type of vine and a member of the Cucurbita Family. Other members of this family include courgettes, pumpkins, melons and some others.
They come in many different shapes and sizes, and even colors! However, the color which most if not all of us have come to associate with these vegetables is dark green.
Since they are easy to grow, people grow them all around the world.
They have a crunchy flesh under that dark green peel, which is abundant in little seeds. Those seeds are not only edible themselves, but are also full of different health benefits as well!
However, if you leave the cucumbers to grow for too long, their peel will become harder and yellowish, and their size will increase.
Their seeds will also become yellow, at which point they are no longer safe to consume. The great thing about cucumbers is that they can be found fresh all throughout the year!
Here are plenty of reasons why you should include these veggies in your daily diet.
1. Minerals
An abundance of them, to be precise. Some of which are potassium, silicon, and magnesium.
2. Elimination of Toxins
This is thanks to their high water content, which helps safely flush out any toxins and can even aid I removing kidney stones!
3. Combats Diabetes
They can also lower one’s high blood pressure and bad LDL cholesterol.
This is thanks to the many natural blood regulators cucumbers contain: such as magnesium, fiber, and potassium.
Additionally, cucumber juice is rich in a specific hormone needed for the pancreatic cells’ mission of producing insulin.
4. Vitamins
They are abundant in these too, especially vitamins A, B and C.
5. Natural Moisturizer
It’s thanks to its high water content that this vegetable does wonders for our skin.
6. Helps Battle Cancer
This can be either ovary, uterus, breast or prostate cancer, thanks to cucumbers containing three lignans: pinoresinol, secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol.
7. Healthier Joints
The silicon cucumbers contain serves to strengthen both joints and connective tissues.
But when mixed with carrots, it can even help treat arthritis and gout pain by minimizing uric acid.
8. Healthier Kidneys
While we’re on uric acid, cucumbers also keep the kidneys healthy by reducing it.
9. Weight Loss and Digestion
They are extremely low in calories and high in water, which makes them ideal for weight loss.
Additionally, since they are rich in fiber content they also aid with proper digestion.
10. Healthy Gums and Breath Freshness
Even your oral health will benefit from cucumbers. The juices released when you chew on them fight inflammation and protect your gums.
Thanks to their phytochemical content, they also help battle oral bacteria.
11. Nails and Hair
Yup, they are good for those things too.
This is thanks to their sulfur and silicon content which helps both your hair and nails grow faster as well as strengthening them.
12. Nature’s Sunscreen
Did you know that applying the juice from cucumbers directly to the skin can treat sunburn? Well, in case you didn’t, now you do.
13. Hangover Cure
If you happen to have consumed alcohol, make sure to consume a few slices of cucumbers before hitting the sack.
You’ll wake up in the morning without the dreaded hangover headaches thanks to their high electrolyte and vitamin B content.
14. Reduces Dark Circles
Their anti-inflammatory abilities are great for removing any eye puffiness, or swellings under the eyes.
And to top it all off, they taste great too! Did you know that cucumbers are the fourth most harvested vegetable in the world?
And rightly so, since they are both tasty and super nutritious! You can add them to all kinds of meals, be it salads or appetizers, or even smoothies!
Here’s a recipe you can try, it is both healthy and low calorie.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups of peeled, finely chopped and seeded cucumber
– 1/4 a cup of chopped red onion
– 2 tbsp of chopped parsley (fresh)
– 1/2 a cup of tomato cut into small pieces and seeded
– 4 1/2 teaspoons of chopped cilantro (fresh)
– 1 chili (tree, jalapeño, etc.) chopped and seeded
– 1 clove of chopped garlic
– 1/4 a cup of Greek yogurt (or ricotta /cottage cheese)
– 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lime juice
– 1/4 of a teaspoon of cumin (ground)
– 1 1/2 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/4 a teaspoon of sea salt
Instructions:
Mix the first seven ingredients in a bowl (a small one). Mix the remaining five in another bowl.
Next, pour the previously mixed substance from the first bowl into the second. Give it a good stirring before covering it.
You can serve it with whole grain toast. Enjoy!
