Cucumbers belong to the same plant family as pumpkin and watermelon. That’s why they have similar wonderful properties: they’re rich in water, fresh, and have some fantastic benefits for those who are looking to shed a few extra pounds. Do you really need more reasons to eat cucumber? Actually, there are even more to cucumbers than meets the eye… so much so that we should really be eating them on a daily basis. Our children and older relatives could also benefit from their marvelous properties. So, if you’re thinking that cucumbers are only useful at treating the dark circles under your eyes (or that they’re essentially just water), you couldn’t be more wrong. Cucumbers are a treasure trove of natural benefits. We invite you start including cucumber in your daily diet – in some original ways, of course.
Great Reasons To Eat Cucumber Every Day
#1 Protect your heart
Rich in potassium the cucumber can be very useful in lowering the blood pressure. According to a recent study higher level of potassium in the blood reduces the risk of stroke and prevents vascular diseases.
The recommended dose of potassium is 4,700 mg daily, but only 2 percent of U.S adults consume this dose. Eating a cucumber is a delicious way to start increasing your potassium level.
#2 Freshen your breath
If you are out of mints or gum, take a cucumber slice and press it to the roof of your tongue for about 30 seconds. The phytochemicals (chemicals made by plants) in cucumbers help kill odor-causing bacteria in the mouth that may cause bad breath. An added bonus is you will avoid the refined sugar in many mints and unnatural materials in many sugar-free gums.
#3 Brain Protection
Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonal called fistein that has been shown to play a crucial role in promoting brain health. It is known to improve memory and even protect your nerve cells from declining due to aging, and fisetin has also been found to prevent learning and memory impairments in mice with alzheimer’s disease.
#4 Keeps your body hydrated
As obvious as it is, it is still the most beneficial – cucumbers are 95% water which keep your body hydrated. Cucumbers have the most vitamins in a single serving that you require daily. Start incorporating cucumbers as a mid-afternoon snack and/or with lunch and dinners. My person favourite is adding cucumber and mint to my water.
#5 Treat Sunburns
Aloe vera is not the only plant you can use to treat sunburns. If you have a sunburn, apply some sliced or mashed up cucumber to the affected area. The anti-inflammatory compounds found in cucumbers may help soothe inflammation caused by your sunburn.
#6 Manage Blood pressure
In case you eat cucumbers every day, you may be able to control the blood pressure as well as hypertension. Based on studies in DASH, in case you consume food that contains potassium, fiber, as well as magnesium, you may be able to lower the level of your blood pressure. Therefore, if you wish to keep good health and a well-balanced life, you need to include cucumbers to your normal daily diet.
#7 Eliminates toxins
All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your body. With regular eating, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.
#8 Protect your skin against the effects of aging
There is a reason why cucumbers are used in skin care: They have been shown to be effective as a potential anti-wrinkle agent in cosmetic products, protecting our skin form the effects of aging.
#9 They Help Reduce Stress Levels
Cucumbers are rich in vitamins from the Vitamin B complex. This includes Vitamin B1, Vitamin B5 and Vitamin B7 (also known as biotin). This family of vitamins is extremely effective at relaxing the nervous system and relieving the impact of stress and anxiety. If you prepare cucumber in a juice with apple, or drink a mixture of cucumber water and lemon, you’ll have a great natural way to combat stress.
#10 Aids in digestion and weight loss
Due to its high water and low calorie content, cucumber is an ideal source for people who are looking for weight loss. Use cucumbers in your soups and salads. If it is not your favorite snack you can crunchy cucumber sticks with creamy low fat yogurt dip. Chewing cucumber gives your jaws a good workout and the fiber in it is great for digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as an aid for chronic constipation.
#11 Fight against cancer
Cucumbers are high in three lignans, secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol, which prevent various cancer types, such as breast, ovary, prostate and uterus.
#12 Reduces Cellulite
The battle against cellulite requires consumption of plenty of water during the day. As mentioned in the very beginning, cucumber is mostly made of water, so consuming this vegetable supports the excretion of water from the body and eliminating toxins. Moreover, consumption of this watery vegetable helps treating kidney stones.
#13 Controls Puffiness Of The Eyes
If you are worried about eye puffiness, then cucumbers can provide you with instant relief. The ascorbic acid and caffeic acid in cucumber brings down the water retention rate which, in turn, diminishes the swelling and puffiness around the eyes.Cucumber can easily reduce the puffiness in your eyes. Simply cut slices of cucumber, refrigerate it for a while and place it on your closed eyelids every day. This will not only bring down the puffiness, but also help you relax. It actually hydrates your eyes and lessens puffiness.
#14 Reduces Hair Fall
Drink cucumber juice daily to control hair fall. The most important benefit of cucumber for hair is primarily due to its content of silicon, sulfur, sodium, phosphorus, and calcium that are some of the most needed nutrients required for hair growth.
