Promote Hydration
Cucumbers are a great way to keep hydrated on a hot day as they are made up of 95 percent water. Yes, 95 percent, making some call it nature’s most hydrating vegetable! Due to their high water content, they also make for a great juice or smoothie ingredient!
Improve Memory
Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called “fisetin” which plays a significant role in brain health. And while fisetin is found in other vegetables, cucumbers in particular contain a more concentrated amount. Due to this, cucumbers have been cited to improve memory and help in preventing memory loss.
Aid in Weight Loss
When it comes to weight loss, calories are important. And thanks to the only 16 calories per one cup serving, cucumbers are a great food to aid in weight loss. They can fill you up, without adding much for calories to your day. As discussed, they also contain loads of healthy vitamins to give your body a healthy dose of nutrients which is key for losing weight in a healthy way.
Maintain Healthy Digestion
Any vegetable high in water content will be able to promote healthy digestion by keeping you hydrated. However, cucumbers, particularly their skin contains insoluble fiber which helps to add bulk to your stool and aid in the clean-out process. And though this subject is one typically kept private, everyone knows just how important healthy digestion is!
Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
Cucumbers have been shown to be especially beneficial for diabetics as they’ve been shown to reduce blood sugar levels. Cucumbers have an index of 15 on the glycemix index scale (anything under 55 is considered low). Their fiber content also slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and sugars which in turn reduces blood sugar levels.
Have Anti-Cancer Benefits
Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy and reduce your risk of cancer. Cucumbers in particular, are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, and contain high levels of these nutrients which may help in preventing cancer. They also contain fisetin (mentioned earlier), caffeic acid and lutein which have all been shown to reduce cancerous symptoms.
Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation in the body can lead to a whole host of problems. But thankfully there are plents of foods, namely cucumbers than can combat this inflammation. This is due to the presence of polyphenols called lignans. Cucumbers can reduce inflammation externally too when used directly on the skin (more on that below).
Promote Healthy Skin
There’s a reason why every spa seems to have cucumbers on hand. Not only does cucumber water make for a super refreshing that can promote relaxation, but cucumbers also have amazing skin benefits when applied topically. Cucumbers, most popularly placed on the eyelids, cool the area and ease facial swelling – cool as a cucumber, right? Cucumbers can also serve as a great way to cool down sunburn!
Diminish Bad Breath
Got a case of bad breath? Instead of reaching for a piece of gum, you can actually grab a slice of cucumber. Cucumbers’ high water concentration prevents dry mouth and the crunchy texture can help eliminate odor-causing bacteria by removing food particles and plaque and stimulating saliva production.
Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure? It may be time to add cucumbers to your diet. Of course, cucumbers alone aren’t going to lower your blood pressure single-handedly, but as a part of a healthy overall diet, they can aid in lowering blood pressure in large part due to it’s potassium content. One large cucumber contains 442mg of potassium which is an essential mineral for regulating blood pressure.
Provide Heartburn Relief
There’s no question: heartburn is a pain. Whether it’s brought on by some late night pepperoni pizza or the joys of pregnancy, finding relief while it’s happening is a top priority. Heartburn happens due to acid from the stomach reaching into the esophagus and throat, which causes that fiery burn. Instead of reaching for a Tums, however, cucumber can be a great preventative/reliever. An alkaline vegetable, cucumber will reduce the amount of acid available in the stomach and thus can cool heartburn.
Promote Healthy Hair & Nails
Healthy, glowing hair and strong nails are a goal for many of us. But with age, they can be more difficult to come by. Silica, found in cucumbers, is a trace mineral that strengthens connective tissues such as our hair and nails. Just make sure not to peel off the skin of a cucumber, which is where most of the silica, as well as various other nutrients are found.
Combat Stress
Known as the stress-relieving vitamin, cucumbers contain vitamin B1 or thiamine. And while it may only make up about 3% of your daily value, every little bit counts. Plus, eating a healthy diet, which includes cucumbers is key to managing stress levels, plus the crunchiness of this particular veggie can be a great choice for anxiety prone times.
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