Like squash, pumpkin, and watermelon, cucumber belongs to the Cucurbitaceae plant family. The low-calorie veggie contains many nutritional benefits, including hydrating properties and valuable nutrients.
Some of these benefits are listed below.
- Keeps you hydrated.
Cucumber contains 95% water so it can serve as a healthy snack if one is dehydrated. Eating cucumber will not only satisfy your thirst, it gives you relief from heartburn.
- Maintains healthy weight
Cucumber aids weight loss. The soluble fibre in cucumber dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to slow down your digestion.
- Enhances fresh breath
Cucumber juice refreshes and heals diseased gums, leaving your mouth smelling good. According to the principles of Ayurveda, eating cucumber may also help to release excess heat in your stomach, which is said to be a primary cause of bad breath.
- Reduces the risk of cancer
Several studies show that cucumber contains properties that can help reduce the risk of having cancer. These properties include polyphenols called lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), which may help to lower the risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
- Unlimited vitamins
Cucumber contains vitamin A and C, which boost immunity, give you energy and keep you radiant. It also contains multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin) which are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.
- Improves memory
An anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health is one of the major properties in cucumber. Fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Aids digestion
Cucumber is rich in two of the most basic elements needed for healthy digestion: water and fibre. Chewing cucumber gives the jaw a good workout, and the fibre in it helps add bulk to your stool. This helps food to move through your digestive tract more quickly for healthy digestion.
- Stabilises blood pressure
Patients of blood pressure, both high and low, often find that eating cucumber brings relief. This is because it contains potassium, which is associated with lower blood pressure levels. A proper balance of potassium both inside and outside the cells is crucial for the body to function properly.
