by Cucumbers are fruits that are high in water concentration. They contain several nutrients that are low in calories and soluble fiber that make them ideal in promoting hydration and help in weight loss.
This article looks at the 10 health benefits of eating cucumbers.
1. Hydration
Fruits and vegetables are a good source of hydration in your diet apart from just drinking water. Staying hydrated helps maintain your intestines, prevent constipation, and avoiding kidney stones.
Because they maintain 96%water, they are some of the interesting ways of meeting your daily fluid needs.
You can always take cucumber and mint in water to make it more attractive and let you keep going back to it.
2. Promotes bone health
Everyone needs vitamin K in their bodies which promotes blood clotting and good bone health.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, chopped, unpeeled, raw cucumber also provides vitamin K to the body. According to Medical News Today, Cucumber also contains 19.9 milligramsTrusted Source (mg) of calcium. Adults need to trust Source 1,000–1,200 mg of calcium a day, depending on sex and age.
Vitamin K promotes calcium absorption in the body which leads to better bone health.
3. Reducing cancer spread
Cucumbers are members of the Cucurbitaceae plant family which contain bitter-tasting nutrients known as cucurbitacin.
Cucurbitacin may help prevent cancer by stopping cancer cells from reproducing. This is according to the International Journal of Health Services.
The fiber provided by cucumber may also help prevent colorectal cancer.
4. Leads to weight loss
Cucumbers have a calorie ratio of 104gram of cucumber contains 16 calories. They are the perfect addition to your salads as toppings or just eating them as a snack without the worry of gaining weight. Adding a dash of lemon juice, salt, and black pepper stimulate weight loss.
5. Eases constipation
Bloating of the stomach is often caused by constipation and indigestion. Cucumber contains fiber and a lot of water which will clean the gut and ease the bloating.
6.Prevents diabetes
Several research studies have been done on mice on how cucumber has led to low blood sugar. Cucumbers contain certain nutrients that prevent the blood sugar level from rising and also prevent certain complications from diabetes.
They regulate the release of insulin into the body and the metabolism of glycogen in the body which is a key hormone in sugar regulation in the body.
Cucumber peels were also found to manage the symptoms of diabetes in mice.
According to American Heart Association, the fiber in cucumbers helped prevent type 2 diabetes. According to Medical News Today, they are on a low score on the glycemic index meaning they provide essential nutrients without adding carbohydrates into the body that lead to diabetes.
7. Anti-inflammation
Phytonutrients are properties contained in cucumbers that control inflammation inside your body.
8. Cucumbers improve vision
We have always known that carrots improve our vision but you haven’t tried cucumbers yet? The Beta-carotene contained in cucumbers is converted into vitamin A by the liver which improves your peripheral and night vision. This is done by reducing the oxidative stress caused by our eyes when exposed to light.
9. Cucumbers improve the brain health
The less talked about or even asked about are the benefits of cucumbers to our brain health.
Flavonoids called fisetin in cucumbers protect nerve cells and improve memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. This research has however only been done on mice but it looks promising.
10. Cucumbers reduce high blood pressure
Cucumbers contain a high percentage of potassium that reduces high blood pressure.
Potassium reduces pressure by reducing the water retention brought by high levels of sodium in the body. It contains 13 percent of the recommended daily intake of potassium that your body needs.
