Cucumber is not just a veg! Belonging in the Cucurbitaceae family, Cucumber can keep you hydrated with its nearly 95 percent water content just like watermelon. It's not only rich in water.It is also loaded with nutrients, vitamin B, K, copper, manganese, potassium and vitamin C.
Cucumber is also boosting with polyphenols and compounds that keep you healthy and far from developing chronic disorders.
Here are many benefits of cucumber that you ought to know and why you should include this powerful veg in your daily diet.
Cucumber fights inflammation
Cucumber aids in helping you resist inflammation. It has a cool effect that helps lessen inflammation by prohibiting the pro-inflammatory activity of enzymes.
Cucumber is rich in antioxidant
Cucumber has flavonoids, beta-carotene and vitamin C that provide various actions in the body. Kaempferol helps fight cancer and decrease risk to chronic diseases. Quercetin prevents histamine release, according to Mercola.
Cucumber fights Cancer
Cucumber contains three lignans- lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These lignans are known to fight various types of cancer such as prostrate, ovarian, uterine, and breast cancer.
Are you afraid of hangover? Cucumber is known to cure hangover by eating it before sleeping at night. It has B vitamins, sugar and electrolytes that replace the lost nutrients during drinking. It does not only prevent hangover, but also headache.
Cucumber heals joint, arthritis and gout pain
Cucumber has silica that is beneficial in strengthening the connective tissues. It also has various nutrients including vitamin A, B1, B6, C and D, calcium, folate, potassium and magnesium. It is very effective in relieving pain caused by gout and arthritis as it lowers the uric acid levels. Try mixing cucumber with carrot juice!
Try various cucumber recipes that you can incorporate in your diet:
Cucumber Snacks
Ingredients:
Cucumber
Cayenne powder
Olive oil
Lemon juice, freshly squeeze
Preparations:
Slice cucumbers and marinade in lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl. You can soak it overnight or some hours depending on your choice. Sprinkle cayenne pepper.
Cucumber Avocado and Feta Salad
Ingredients:
1 large seedless cucumber, chopped
3 large avocados, chopped, seeds removed
1 lemon, juiced
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparations:
Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Combine by stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Watermelon and Cucumber Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 ½ pounds watermelon
½ cucumber
½ to 1 cup of ice
1 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon honey
Preparation:
Remove the watermelon from the outer cover and chop into large chunks. Take out the seeds. Take the cucumber, skin, chop and seed it. Add the entire ingredients in a blender and process it until smooth. Add honey and ice.