Health benefits of Cucumber:

What is cucumber?

Cucumber is good for you

Cucumbers are a popular long lean green vegetable. It belongs to the same family as pumpkin and watermelon. Most people categorize it in the veggies family but actually, it is fruit.

It is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that help to fight or even prevent some conditions/disorders. It helps in losing weight due to its properties such as being low in calories, and sugar and rich in soluble fibre and water. Eating just one cucumber a day is so beneficial for health.

Cucumbers have two types. One is slicing cucumber having long and smooth skin that is eaten in salad form. It has no seeds. The second is pickling cucumber which is smaller than slicing and used to make pickles.

Nutritional Facts of Cucumber:

Cucumber is packed with a lot of nutrients. It is estimated that a half cup provides about 8 calories. It contains 95% of water and a small amount of vitamin A, vitamin K and several other phytonutrients (plant base chemicals).  It is also a rich source of molybdenum and pantothenic acid.

Benefits of eating cucumber

It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to fight against cancer. One medium raw cucumber that is unpeeled provides nutrients:

Calories	30
Fibre	2 grams
Fat	0 gram
Vitamin C	10% of the daily value
Carbs	6 grams
Vitamin K	57% of the daily value
Protein	3 grams
Magnesium	9% of the daily value
Manganese	9% of the daily value
Potassium	12% of the daily value

Health benefits of cucumber:

Cucumber is packed with nutrients so; these have positive effects on the body. Here I will discuss the health benefits of cucumber.

Cucumber benefits,

1. Cucumber keeps the body hydrated:

We know that water is essential for life to occur and has many important roles in the body's functioning such as helping in balancing the temperature of the body and removing waste from the body.

In short, hydration is essential for physical performance to the metabolism of body. Water is acquired majority from liquid but some of the water may get through food like fruits and vegetables.

Cucumber contains 95% water which helps to keep the body hydrated all the time. It prevents the body from dehydration (loss of water), especially during summer. It also acts as a coolant that to helps to relieve the body in the intense heat of summer.

2. Cucumber aid weight loss:

Cucumber helps in weight loss due to different properties. It is high in water and low in calories. One cup/serving contains 16 calories. It means that you can eat plenty of cucumber without getting weight or gaining nutrients from it.

3. Reduce the level of blood sugar:

Cucumber helps to reduce and control blood sugar levels in the body which is helpful in the prevention and management of diabetes mellitus.  It contains substances that prevent blood glucose from rising too high.

It regulates the release of insulin and the metabolism of hepatic glycogen which are key hormones in blood sugar processing. Cucumber also helps to reduce oxidative stress which prevents further diabetes-related complications.

4. Cucumber fight against cancer:

The cucumber belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family packed with nutrients and antioxidants that block oxidation that forms free radicals as a result of chemical reactions.  These free radicals result in the formation of various types of cancer.

Cucumber has anti-cancer properties that prevent the spread of cancer cells throughout the body and reduce the risk of cancer adaption.  According to the International journal of health service cucumber help prevent the reproduction of cancer cells. 

5. Maintain blood pressure:

As we know that cucumber is packed with nutrients. It contains potassium, fibre and magnesium. These help in lowering blood pressure which ultimately reduces the risk of a heart attack. Regular consumption of cucumber helps to reduce blood pressure-related issues.

6. Fight bad breath:

Although you brush twice or thrice a day sometimes you may face a bad smell from your mouth that makes you embarrassed.  Cucumber contains phytochemicals that fight against bacteria that are present in the mouth and cause bad breath.

7. Cucumber and bone health:

Cucumber is also a rich source of calcium that reduce the risk of fractures and low bone density-related issues. It also improves the absorption of calcium which helps to enhance the repairing of bone muscles.

It has silica in its skin that works along with calcium and vitamin D to increase the production of collagen and prevent the deterioration of bones a leading cause of osteoporosis.

Vitamin K also helps in supporting bone health and enhancing the absorption of calcium. it is estimated that 142 grams of raw cucumber provide 10.2 grams of vitamin K.

8. Cucumber and skincare:

Cucumber is packed with essential nutrients that have beneficial effects on the skin. It is also known as a beauty enhancer have amazing benefits on the skin.

Applying sliced cucumber to the skin will help to cool the skin and reduce the swelling. It also helps in reducing wrinkles and lining.

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