Cucumber, also known as Cucumis sativus is a vegetable from the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. It bears cylindrical shape and has creeping vines. We often hear the saying ‘as cool as cucumber’. Hear then, are the various health benefits of cucumber that qualifies it to be a ‘cool’ veggie.
Benefit 1: Source of Vitamin B, C and K
Cucumbers are a rich source of B vitamins. This vitamin is crucial for metabolism. This culinary vegetable is also rich in vitamin C, also known ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is needed in the body for the formation of strong ligaments, tendons and so on and aids in building strong cell walls which promotes growth and healing. A medium sized cucumber will supply you with 6.4mg of vitamin C, which is approximately 8% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). The same size of a cucumber contains about 14.5 mcg of vitamin K which is equivalent to 13 percent of RDA.
Benefit 2: Rehydrates Body
Cucumbers are made up of 95 percent water hence keeps body hydrated thereby aiding the body to rid of body toxins. This could perhaps explain the origin of the simile, ‘as cool as cucumber!’
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Benefit 3: Skin and Hair Care
For irritable skin and sunburn, the skin of cucumber can be used to relieve the irritations as well as the sunburn. For puffiness in the eyes, place slices of cucumber over the eyes for some minutes for instant relief. The silicon and sulfur present in cucumber is used for stimulating hair growth. Cucumber is therefore highly advised for people with decreased hair growth.
Benefit 4: Anti- Cancer Properties
Rich in lignans lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol, they are presently help to lower various kinds of cancers such as breast, prostate and ovarian cancers.
Benefit 5: Domestic Uses
Cucumbers find use in the most unlikely places. For instance, you can get rid of the fog that forms on your mirror by just applying a slice of cucumber along the mirror. If again your door hinges are squeaky, have no worry; simply rub a slice of cucumber on the hinge and the squeaking will disappear. Well, that is not a health benefit but it definitely shows how much useful a cucumber can be.
Benefit 6: Removes Bad Breath
If you are too embarrassed to open your mouth to talk due to bad smell coming from your mouth, the relief is a cucumber. By pressing a slice to the roof of your mouth using your tongue, the photochemical in cucumber will destroy the bacteria present in your mouth hence remove the bad smell within 30 seconds.
Benefit 7: Fights Hangover
The sugars, vitamin B and electrolytes present in cucumber are useful for relieving hangover and the accompanying headache. All you need to do is to take a few slices before retiring to bed and you will wake up fresh and invigorated.
Benefit 8: Weight Loss and Digestion
Cucumber is poor in calories hence useful in weight loss. Its high water content gives you a ‘full’ feeling hence you don’t eat a lot. It is also rich in dietary fiber which aids in digestion.
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Featured Image Credit : Muu-karhu via Creative Commons License
