All that water in cucumbers can help keep you hydrated. Plus, the fiber boost they give you helps you stay regular and avoid constipation. The vitamin K helps blood clot and keep your bones healthy. Vitamin A has many jobs, like helping with vision, the immune system, and reproduction.
Cucumbers contain magnesium, potassium, and vitamin K. These 3 nutrients are vital for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. In taking magnesium and potassium can lower down blood pressure. A regular intake of cucumber has been found to decrease bad cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well.
Nutrients. Cucumbers are packed with them. In just a single cup of cucumber slices, you'll get 14% to 19% of the vitamin K you need for the day. You'll also get vitamins B and C along with minerals like copper, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.
Since cucumber is very low in calories, it can burn fat effectively. When consumed often, it can help cut down belly fat as well. Due to its high water and fibre content, a cucumber diet could help you detox, improve metabolism, and help with problems like constipation, water retention, and bloating.
Having lots of it is sure to make you feel "full" and bloated and as a result, interrupt your sleep. Plus, there is another reason why you should only eat cucumber in a limited quantity. This is because you are taking in more water and are bound to fill up the bladder and urinate more during your sleep.
You can eat the peel of a cucumber. In fact, it will add fiber and vitamin A to your diet. Just be sure to wash the cucumber first. When you shop for cucumbers, skip ones that are yellow, puffy, or have sunk-in areas, bulges, or wrinkled ends.
Energy Boost: If you're feeling tired in the afternoon, don't give Starbucks your five bucks. Instead, grab a cucumber. There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health hazard energy drinks.
Cucumbers improve brain health
Cucumbers are rich in a flavonoid called fisetin, which research has shown to protect nerve cells, improve memory and decrease the risk of Alzheimer's.
Cucumber is a powerhouse of nutrients and it can be eaten at any time of the day. However, to reap maximum benefits, you can consume cucumbers during the daytime, preferably before a meal.
Most people consume cucumbers to add more fluid to their diet, but too much consumption of it can be harmful for health, this is due to the diuretic nature which may result in draining out of fluid from your body, hampering the electrolyte balance and causing dehydration.
It is usually not necessary to peel a cucumber or remove the seeds if you plan to eat it raw. If the cucumber skin has been waxed (to make it look shiny) or if you plan to cook the cucumber, remove the skin with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Some large cucumbers have hard seeds.
Since cucumbers are low in calories, you can eat as many as you want and still be in a calorie deficit. Also, as cucumbers are low in protein, the diet recommends pairing the cucumbers with some protein-rich foods like eggs, lean meat, cottage cheese, and nuts.
Enriched with amino acids, green vegetables like cucumber when eaten on an empty stomach can cause flatulence, abdominal pain and heartburn.
Even though cucumbers are prone to chilling injury, the fridge is still the best place to store them. At room temperature, cucumbers will only last for about two days. So, what's the solution? Store cucumbers in the warmest part of the fridge — towards the front, furthest from the cooling elements.
Cucumber and Radish
But unfortunately, Cucumber contains ascorbinase, which breaks down vitamin C. Ultimately, it prevents our body from absorbing them. So cucumber and radish (or any food with vitamin C) should not be eaten together.
“Eating just one cucumber a day can be great! It mostly contains water. So, even if you were to eat more than one, it won't cause any harm. In fact, it will keep you full and help you avoid reaching out for any junk food,” said nutritionist Manisha Chopra.
The carotene present in carrots also fights anemia and helps in increasing the number of red blood cells. Cucumbers on the other hand are good sources of phytonutrients such as flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits.
Cucumbers may help to “cool” the inflammatory response in your body, and animal studies suggest that cucumber extract helps reduce unwanted inflammation, in part by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes (including cyclo-oxygenase 2, or COX-2).
Vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 found in cucumbers are known to help lower anxiety and reduce the effects of stress.
If the cucumber has a milky, white sheen on the outside, it's a no-go. You should also inspect them for mold. Even if it looks like the mold is isolated to one spot, it is better to play it safe and just toss it in the trash. Dark spots can also be an indicator that your cucumber is no longer a viable snack option.
"Food with high water content should not be consumed with water," says doctor Aditi Sharma, Chief Nutritionist, Columbia Asia, Gaziabad. Some examples are: watermelon, melon, muskmelon, cucumber, orange, kakdi, pineapple, grapefruit, strawberry.
Cucumbers are effective against UTI because of their high water content. Although it's better to eat them in combination with other remedies for UTI, they can help you feel hydrated and healthy. You can munch on them directly or soak them in water overnight for a cucumber-flavored drink.