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| Organic Cucumbers being sold at a roadside stall in the Chakhesang region of Nagaland, India www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph - Chizokho Vero |
Wow, the cucumber is one cool fruit! Yes, cucumbers are
fruits and not a vegetable. The general rule is that an edible plant can be
categorised as a fruit if it has seeds, but if it is seedless, it is generally
a vegetable. In a cucumber the seeds run through the middle of the plant, so
botanically it is a fruit.
Cucumbers are made up of mostly water, and so eating them on
a sweltering summer’s day is refreshing. We all knew that. But did you know
that there are many, many health benefits that make eating cucumbers all year
long a very good bet? It is so full of health that it has in fact been labelled
as one of the World’s Healthiest Foods.
The humble cucumber provides us with a unique combination of
nutrients. At the top of the phytonutrient list for cucumbers are its
cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids. These three types of phytonutrients
found in cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and
anti-cancer benefits.
HERE ARE 8 COMPELLING REASONS TO START EATING CUCUMBER RIGHT NOW
PREVENTS CONSTIPATION AND KEEPS KIDNEYS HEALTHY
Cucumbers are a perfect blend of both fibre and water.
Therefore, it helps to protect your body from both constipation and kidney stones. By
drinking cucumber juice, you can consume both fibre and water at the same time.
All that water acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste
products out of your system. With regular use, cucumber is known to dissolve
kidney stones. Cucumber also lowers uric acid levels in your system, keeping
the kidneys happy.
(Source: www.organicfacts.net, preventdisease.com)
MANAGE DIABETES
Cucumbers have been useful for diabetic patients for many
years. Cucumbers possess a hormone required by the beta cells during insulin
production. The Glycemic Index of cucumbers is actually zero. The presence of
carbohydrates and their result on the body is measured by the quantity Glycemic
Index. Every food item contains essential nutrients in different percentages.
The carbohydrates contribute in raising the glucose level, however the
carbohydrates present in the cucumber can be easily digested by diabetic
patients. Thus, consumption of cucumbers keeps the glucose level in check.
Nowadays, most commercial stores have cucumber supplements as spiny sea
cucumber extract powder, which is very effective in combating the effects of
diabetes.
(Source: www.organicfacts.net)
REDUCES CANCER RISK
Cucumbers contain two phytonutrient compounds associated
with anti-cancer benefits: lignans and cucurbitacins. In recent times, special
attention has been given to cucurbitacins with the hope that it can be used in
new cancer drugs. According to a 2010 research review published in Scientific World Journal,
scientists have found that cucurbitacins can help block the signalling pathways
that are important for cancer cell proliferation and survival.
Cucurbitacins can also inhibit the growth of pancreatic
cancer cells, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Cancer Research looked at cucurbitacin B (which cucumber contains) on human pancreatic cancer
cells and found that cucurbitacin supplements inhibited the growth of seven
pancreatic cancer cell lines by 50 percent, and also increased apoptosis, or
"death by suicide," of pancreatic cancer cells.
A study of nearly 800 American women found that those with those with the highest
lignan intake had the lowest risk of ovarian cancer. Furthermore, a study that looked at nearly 1,000 women in the San Francisco area found that
postmenopausal women with the highest lignan intakes had the lowest risk of
endometrial cancer.
(Source: www.livescience.com)
(Source: www.livescience.com)
BONE HEALTH
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, in the past few decades, it has become clear that vitamin K is important to
bone health, and one cup of cucumber contains about 19 percent of the
recommended daily intake of vitamin K. One review noted that vitamin K intake might reduce fracture rates, work with vitamin D to
increase bone density and positively affect calcium balance.
The human body uses vitamin K when building bones and the
effects seem to be especially important for women. A large 2003 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study showed that low vitamin K levels were associated with low bone density in
women, but not in men. Another study published in 1999 found that low intakes of vitamin K were associated with an increased
risk of hip fractures in middle-age women. This is especially interesting
because the women saw results from eating lettuce, showing that dietary
consumption of vitamin K via eating vegetables (not supplements) is beneficial. A 2000 study saw reduced risk of hip fracture among both
elderly women and elderly men who consumed more Vitamin K.
(Source: www.livescience.com)
(Source: www.livescience.com)
HEART HEALTH
According to nutritionists, eating a variety of fruits and
vegetables of all kinds is associated with a reduced risk for many health
conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and obesity. Cucumbers’
potassium content may be especially helpful in this regard. One cup of sliced
cukes contains only about 4 percent of the body’s daily potassium needs, but it
comes with significantly fewer calories than most high-potassium foods like
bananas. Potassium is an essential part of heart health, according to the
American Heart Association. Many studies have linked it with lower blood
pressure because it promotes vasodiliation (widening of the blood vessels). A
study of 12,000 adults, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that
those who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium each day lowered their risk of
cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease by 37 percent and 49 percent,
respectively, compared to those who took 1,793 mg per day.
The vitamin K in cucumbers is also known to be essential in
the blood-clotting process, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
(Source: www.livescience.com)
(Source: www.livescience.com)
PROTECTS YOUR BRAIN
Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. In addition to
improving your memory and protecting your nerve cells from age-related decline,
fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments
in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
(Source: www.organicconsumers.org)
SKIN
Whether we do ourselves or not, we’ve all seen pictures of
people relaxing with cucumber slices over their eyes. It turns out that there
is real science behind this pampering ritual. According to Medical News Today,
when used topically, cucumber has a cooling and soothing effect that decreases
swelling, irritation and inflammation. Cucumber slices can be placed on the
eyes to decrease morning puffiness or placed on the skin to alleviate and treat
sunburn.
Nutritionists also note that high vegetable intake is
associated with a healthy complexion in general.
DENTAL HEALTH
Cucumber also cares for dental health by combating bad breath. The vegetable releases phytochemicals that kill the
bad breath causing bacteria. Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof
of the mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds. The phytochemicals will kill the
bacteria responsible for causing bad breath. Raw cucumber increases salivation
and brings about a neutralisation of acids and alkali in the oral cavity.
Cucumber juice can effectively treat gum diseases like pyorrhoea and weak gums.
CUCUMBER PEEL BENEFITS
Really WOW, isn’t it? Who knew that this unassuming fruit
was packed with so much health! So, what are you waiting for? Start eating
cucumbers today…………
Share this and let your friends know too!
Share this and let your friends know too!