Cucumber. Even its name
sounds cool, crisp, and refreshing! Not only are cucumbers delicious and
nutritious, they are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, such
as: vitamin K and C, some B vitamins, copper, potassium, and manganese,
all of which can help revitalize your health! This squash is definitely
something you want to incorporate into your diet as much as possible.
You won’t regret it.
9 (Of Many) Amazing Benefits Of Cucumbers
1. 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. (1)
2. Amazing Antioxidant Properties
Cucumbers are loaded with antioxidants,
including vitamin C and beta-carotene. They also contain antioxidant
flavonoids like quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol. (2)
Quercetin is an antioxidant that has been shown to prevent histamine
release, making it a natural antihistamine. Kaempferol can help fight
cancer and lower your risk of heart disease.
3. Reduce Inflammation
Cucumbers can literally help “cool” the
inflammatory response system in your body. Some studies conducted on
animals found that cucumber extract helps to reduce unwanted
inflammation partially by inhibiting activity or pro-inflammatory
enzymes. (3)
4. Cancer Risk Reduction
Cucumbers contain polyphenols called
lignans, which can help lower your risk of various cancers such as
breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate. (4) They also contain
phytonutrients called cucurbitacins (great name) which also have
anti-cancer properties! (5)
5. Digestive Assistant
Cucumbers are loaded with fiber and
water, two of the most essential elements that are needed for optimal
digestive health. Cucumbers may help to raise the stomach pH, which can
assist with symptoms of acid reflux. Also, the skin on cucumbers
contains insoluble fiber, which can add bulk to your stool, assisting
food to move through your digestive tract quickly and thereby promoting
healthy elimination.
6. Freshen Your Breath
If your breath is a little on the stinky
side, you can freshen it up by placing a slice of cucumber on the roof
of your mouth. This will help help rid your mouth of odor-causing
bacteria. According to Ayurveda, eating cucumbers can also help to
release any excess heat in your stomach, which is believed to be a
primary cause of bad breath.
7. Stress Management
Cucumbers contain an assortment of B
vitamins including vitamin B1, B5, and B7. B vitamins are known to help
ease anxiety and reduce the damaging effects of stress.
8. Healthy Weight Management
Cucumbers are extremely low in calories,
but extremely high in nutrients, so they make a filling and healthy
snack. When cucumbers are digesting they dissolve into a gel-like
texture which helps to slow down digestion, helping you feel full for
longer. This is why fiber rich foods are great for weight management.
9. Heart Health
Because cucumbers contain potassium,
they can assist with lowering blood pressure. Potassium is an
electrolyte, and its functions assist with interacting with sodium to
help control nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart
function.
If these are not enough reasons to start
eating more cucumbers, then I guess you must really not like them! Be
sure to get organic when possible. You can enjoy slices of cucumber in
your water, juice it with other veggies, add it to your salad, and just
eat it straight up! Its great in the summer, but can definitely be
enjoyed all year round. Enjoy!
