Eating cucumbers or applying them to your skin can help many problems, including relieving heartburn and soothing tired eyes. Learn other health benefits of cucumbers and find simple recipes to make cucumber juice that can improve your health.
Health Benefits of Cucumbers
Cucumbers, Cucumis sativus, belongs in the same family (Cucurbitaceous family) as melon, zucchini, pumpkin, and squash. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and was introduced in the United States by the early colonists.
Similar to watermelon , cucumbers are composed of mostly water, low in calories, and packed with nutrients.
The flesh inside of the cucumber is dense and crunchy, but it is also the part mostly made of water. Its high water content helps keep the body hydrated, helps regulate body temperature, rids the body of excess fluids, and cleanses the body of harmful wastes and toxins. The flesh is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), caffeic acid, vitamin A, and folic acid.
The hard skin of the cucumber is rich in fiber and is an excellent source of a trace mineral, silica, that helps strengthen connective tissue (including bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels). Potassium and magnesium are other important minerals in the skin of cucumbers.
Health Benefits of cucumbers by eating them include:
- treating high blood pressure
- relieving heartburn
- reducing stomach acid (helpful in the treatment of gastritis and ulcers)
- supporting bowel regularity
- relaxing nerves and muscles
- improving blood circulation
- repairing cells
- eliminating toxins (helpful in the treatment of arthritis and gout)
- maintaining healthy skin , hair, nails, teeth, and gums.
Health Benefits of cucumbers when applied topically (cucumber slices or cucumber juice) include treating the following:
- swollen and tired eyes
- burns and sunburns
- inflamed, itchy skin
- dry skin and hair growth.
Cucumber Juice Recipes
Fresh cucumber juice:
Blend 8 large cucumbers, 1 piece of fresh ginger root, 1/2 tray of ice cubes, and 2 cups of water. Best if served immediately.
Cucumber/fruit juice:
Blend 1 cucumber, 1 watermelon, and 1 liter of mineral water.
Cucumber juice (good for eliminating toxins):
Blend 1/2 cucumber, 4 carrots, and 1 beet.
Cucumber juice (good for healthy skin):
Blend 1 cucumber, 8 apples, and 6 celery sticks.
To get the full health benefits of cucumbers, you should use all parts (skin and flesh). Unfortunately, many cucumbers found in grocery stores are waxed to protect them during shipping and most waxes should not be ingested. Try to buy cucumbers that have not been waxed and always wash the skin before eating, even if it is organically grown.
Disclaimer
Please read this disclaimer regarding the information contained within this article.
This post is part of the series: Other Healthy Vegetables
Health benefits of vegetables.
