Health Benefits Of Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a summer food with many beneficial properties for health, especially thanks to their rich water content. Being low in calories, invigorating and rich in nutrients, they are often included in diets. Here are the exact benefits of cucumbers!

Some information about cucumbers

Cucumbers are low in calories and carbohydrates, but are rich in fiber and vitamins A, B, C and E. This food is an incredible source of water, and a serving of 100 g of cucumbers contains only 13 calories and is made up of 97% liquids.

In terms of minerals, cucumbers are very rich in potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Raw cucumbers can be included in salads. Many people like to cut them into slices and salt them to reduce their bitter taste. You can serve pickles in vinegar or oil. If you include them in salads, you can grate them and even use them as an ingredient to make sandwiches.

In Spain, cucumbers are one of the main ingredients for one of the most famous traditional dishes: gazpacho (other ingredients include tomatoes, peppers, garlic and olive oil).

This food is said to have originated in India, but this is not certain. It has been cultivated in West Asia for millennia, and the Romans are probably the ones who introduced it to Europe.

Cucumbers are part of the same family as melons, squash and squash. Although many people consider them a vegetable, cucumbers are actually a fruit.

The health benefits of cucumbers

The high nutritional value of cucumbers makes them a “superfood”, they offer various health benefits in general. Here are some of the benefits of regular cucumber consumption:

Beneficial properties for skin health

Cucumber peel is used as an ingredient in many cosmetic treatments, as this component of cucumber contains the highest concentrations of caffeic acid, ascorbic acid and vitamin C.

Cucumbers keep your skin healthy, relieve irritation and reduce inflammation. For this reason, they can be applied directly to the skin, being a “classic” ingredient in beauty centers and cosmetic treatments for the eye area.

Moreover, cucumbers are useful against diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. In addition to the use of cucumber peel in external treatments, this component can be used to prepare a smoothie.

Grate the peel and mix it with a little water and the juice obtained from half a lemon and you will get a drink with detoxifying effects.

Beneficial properties for tissues

One of the main components of cucumbers is silicon dioxide, a compound with many health benefits. This mineral strengthens the connective tissues of the body, namely muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and even bones.

The health benefits of cucumbers are already known, which is why they are often used as an ingredient in many creams against acne and skin diseases.

Beneficial properties for the cardiovascular system

Cucumbers have a significant content of magnesium, fiber and potassium. These three components help lower blood pressure.

Beneficial properties for digestion

If you suffer from digestive problems, such as gastric hyperacidity or bloating, do not hesitate to eat a cucumber. This food gives you fiber, water, potassium and magnesium, ingredients present in its shell.

Other benefits of cucumber

• Being made up almost entirely of water, this food is an incredible diuretic. Take advantage of the benefits of cucumbers to eliminate fluids and fat accumulated in the body.
• Cucumbers regulate the level of uric acid in the body, being indicated for people suffering from high blood pressure or water retention (a problem that can affect the ankles).
• This fruit is rich in cellulose, which is why you have to chew it well to digest it properly.
• Cucumber is very beneficial for the intestinal mucosa, protecting the stomach.

• It has a low caloric content, helping you maintain your vitality and reduce your fat intake.

• Stimulates the elimination of toxins accumulated in the body.
• Thanks to the content of vitamin B (especially B3, B5 and B9), carbohydrates, fats and “good” cholesterol, cucumber strengthens the immune system.
• Rich in vitamin C, this food protects the body against colds and facilitates wound healing.
• Cucumber slows down cellular and skin aging due to the content of vitamins A, C and E.
• Provides protection against food and environmental toxins.

Contraindications to the consumption of cucumbers

Even though the benefits of cucumbers are numerous, there are certain situations when it is not advisable to eat them. For example, because of a component called cucurbitacin, cucumbers can cause indigestion and intestinal gas, which is why those prone to these problems should avoid consuming them.

Other people may be allergic to the ingredients in cucumbers. In this case, eating cucumber can cause inflammation of the tongue, throat and mouth.

Consumed in excess, cucumber causes dehydration due to its diuretic properties. However, this side effect is rare – you would need to eat whole pounds of cucumbers in a day to dehydrate.

Image sources: Stacy Spensley, Karen and Brad Emerson, Windell Oskay, Andy Melton, theilr, natalycolodi, Peter Oelschlaeger and liz west.