What can you do about cucumber benefits right now?
Cucumbers are extremely beneficial for overall health, especially
during the summer since they are mostly made of water and important nutrients
that are essential for the human body. The flesh of cucumber benefits is rich in
vitamin A, vitamin C, and folic acid while the hard skin is rich in fiber and a
range of minerals include magnesium, molybdenum, and potassium. Additionally,
cucumber benefits contains silica, a trace mineral that contributes greatly to
strengthening our connective tissues. They are known to heal many skin
problems, under eye swelling, and sunburn. Cucumber benefits also contain ascorbic and
caffeic acids which prevent water loss, therefore they are frequently applied
topically to burns and dermatitis.
What is Cucumber?
Cucumber is a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family. Scientifically
known as Cucumis sativus, it belongs to the same family as zucchini,
watermelon, pumpkin, and other types of summer squash. The plant where cucumber
grows is a creeping vine that develops these cylindrical, edible fruits
throughout the year.
You will find different varieties of cucumber grown in different
regions, and they are usually eaten fresh or pickled. Cucumbers, typically
eaten fresh are called slicing cucumbers. Gherkin cucumbers are specially
produced to make pickles. These are much smaller in size than the slicing ones.
Slicing cucumbers are available throughout the year, but they are at their best
between May and July.
Cucumbers originated in India almost 10,000 years ago, but are now
cultivated in many different countries and continents. Recently, different
varieties of cucumbers are being traded in the international market and you
will find them in abundance all year long.
In the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, cucumber
was very popular, and its uses were not limited to just being food. It was also
praised for its beneficial effects on the skin. Louis XIV cherished cucumbers
greatly and the process of cultivating them in greenhouses was invented during
his time to make sure he was able to have a steady supply of the enjoyable
fruit during any season. The American colonists also took this variety of
crunchy and healthy squash to the United States.
It is still unknown when cucumbers began to be used for pickling,
but researchers have speculated that the gherkin variety of cucumber was
developed from a native African plant. Spain was one of the countries during
ancient times that started pickling cucumbers since Roman emperors imported
them from this Mediterranean country.
Features and Varieties of Cucumbers
You are probably familiar with the phrase “cool as a cucumber”,
which speaks directly to the soothing and cooling nature that cucumbers have
when eaten. These fruits are grown mainly to be eaten fresh, and in India, you
will often find sliced cucumbers being sold on sunny afternoons. They are
usually cylindrical in shape and vary in length from about six to nine inches.
However, the size of cucumbers varies according to a variety of cultivating
factors as well.
The skin of the cucumbers can vary in color from green to white,
and sometimes it may be smooth or ridged depending on the variety. Inside the
cucumber skin, you will find pale green flesh that is thick yet aqueous and
crispy at the same time. The interior core of cucumber has numerous, edible
fleshy seeds.
Many cucumber varieties are also grown in greenhouses; they are
seedless with thinner skin and a longer length, usually between 12 and 20
inches. Often known as “burpless”, this variety of cucumber is bought by a
majority, since it is easier to digest than the other kinds of cucumbers.
Health Benefits of Cucumbers
The health benefits of cucumber are not widely known in many
cultures. The taste of fresh cucumber is somewhat bland in comparison to other
squashes, but the thirst quenching and the cooling qualities of this squash are
truly refreshing. Cucumber benefits range from preventing acidity to keeping
skin well-toned.
Skin Care
Cucumber benefits is rich in silica, which is an essential component that
aids in developing strong and healthy connective tissues in the muscles,
ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bone. Doctors often recommend cucumber juice
because of the silica content for a healthier and brighter skin. Cucumber’s
high water content makes it naturally hydrating, and it is well known that
moisture is the best friend to healthy skin, so why not acquire the hydration
naturally. The extract of cucumber benefits is often used topically for treating
various types of skin ailments like sunburn and swelling under the eyes.
Ascorbic and caffeic acid are the two vital compounds in cucumber benefits that prevent
water loss from the body. These are some of the reasons why cucumbers are
applied topically for various skin problems. You will be quite surprised to
know that this squash also promotes healthy hair growth and can treat skin
ailments like psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Prevent Constipation & Kidney Stones
Cucumber benefits are a perfect blend of both fiber and water. Therefore,
they help to protect your body from constipation and kidney stones. Reports say
that a majority of Americans prefer to have a cucumber rich salad regularly as
it is a great way to increase the fiber intake.
Cucumber benefits is also a good source
of vitamin C, silica, potassium, and magnesium; which have their own health
benefits. These fruits have an extraordinary amount of water (about 96%) that
is naturally purified, thus making the water content much higher in quality
than ordinary water. Cucumber skin contains high levels of vitamin A, so you
will gain more nutrition if you eat the entire thing.
Control Blood Pressure
The studies done at DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
consisted of people consuming foods high in magnesium, potassium, and fiber.
The results were clear; their blood pressure lowered to normal levels. The
group eating a diet rich in these complexes along with the other foods on the
diet like seafood, low-fat dairy items, lean meat, and poultry saw that their
blood pressure falling by 5.5 points (systolic) over 3.0 points (diastolic).
Cucumber, therefore, regulates blood pressure and contributes to the proper
structure of connective tissues in our body, including those in the muscles,
bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons.
Manage Diabetes
Cucumber benefits have been used for diabetic patients for many years.
They possess a hormone required by the beta cells during insulin production.
The glycemic index (GI) of cucumbers is actually zero. The presence of
carbohydrates and their result on the body is measured by the quantity of
glycemic index (GI). Every food item contains essential nutrients in different
percentages. The carbohydrates contribute in raising the glucose level,
however, the ones present in the cucumber benefits can be easily digested by diabetic
patients. Thus, consumption of this cool fruit keeps the glucose level in
check. Nowadays, most commercial stores have cucumber benefits supplements as spiny sea
cucumber extract powder, which is very effective in combating the effects of
diabetes.
Maintain Overall Health
Cucumber benefits have excellent cleaning properties, and they actively
remove accumulated waste and toxins from your body. These fruits are very good
for optimizing urinary bladder, kidney, liver and pancreatic functions. Cucumber
juice along with carrot juice is extremely effective for rheumatic conditions
caused by excessive uric acid in the body. Drinking cucumber juice on a regular
basis also helps to cure gout and eczema. If you are having lung or stomach
problems, be sure to add it to your diet. It also promotes muscle flexibility,
while the magnesium content of cucumbers ensures proper blood circulation and
relaxed nerves. Since cucumbers are rich in minerals, they even prevent
splitting of the finger and toenails. Cucumbers often act as antioxidants when
you consume them with barbecued and fried foods.
Cucumber has high alkaline levels, thus regulating the body’s
blood pH and neutralizing acidity. People with gastric issues should consume
cucumbers frequently.
Cucumbers help to normalize body temperature during summer.
Cucumber juice is diuretic, so it is able to prevent kidney stones. It can also
counter the effects of uric acid, which prevents inflammation from conditions
like arthritis, asthma, and gout.
Source: Yahoo answer
