Cucumbers are one of the most grown and cultivated vegetables in the world and they belong to the same family as melons, squash, pumpkin and zucchini. They are low in calories and are loaded with nutrients that are beneficial for your health.
In fact, they are so loaded with nutrients and provide so many health benefits that they are called on of the world’s top superfoods!
The Benefits Of Eating Cucumbers
1. Cucumbers Give You Added Hydration
Cucumbers are 95% water, which helps keep your body hydrated. According to Eating Well, “A cup of cucumber slices is nearly as thirst-quenching as a glass of water.” And because they are made of that much water, cucumbers help your body to eliminate toxins.
2. Cucumbers Protect Your Brain
Cucumbers have an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin which may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Fisetin also helps protect your brain against cognitive decline and progressive memory loss. The flavonols aid in improving your memory and protect your nerve cells from age-related decline.
3. Cucumbers Aid In Weight Loss
They are low in calories (about 16 calories per cup) and very high in water content, which make them the best vegetable to help you lose weight. The fiber found in cucumbers also aid in helping you lose weight. Any healthy food that contains a good amount of fiber like a cucumber can help you maintain a healthy weight.
4. Cucumbers Support Digestion
Cucumber skin contains a type of fiber called insoluble fiber which increases the bulk of your stool. Cucumbers aid in moving food through your digestive tract more easily so that you can have a more healthy elimination.
5. Cucumbers Support Heart Health
Cucumbers are full of potassium, which is a vital nutrient when it comes to the health and function of your heart. Potassium helps in maintaining metabolic functions that play a vital role in the development of muscle tissue. Having a diet that is rich in potassium also reduces your chance of having high blood pressure.
6. Cucumbers Fight Inflammation
Ever heard of the phrase “As cool as a cucumber?” There’s a reason behind it. Cucumbers have a cooling and soothing effect when it is applied to your skin. They help decrease inflammation, irritation and reduce swelling. Many women like to place cucumber slices on their eyes to reduce the appearance of puffiness. Cucumbers are also great at helping with sunburns.
7. Cucumbers Can Help Bone Health
To achieve optimal bone health, you must make sure that you are consuming enough vitamin K, which, according to National Institutes of Health, the daily recommended amount varies by age. Vitamin K plays an important role in building bones as well as other tissues and helps improve the absorption of calcium, which is also needed for bone health. Just a cup of cucumber can account for 22% of your daily vitamin K needs. “Low intakes of vitamin K have been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture.” –Medical News Today.
8. Cucumbers Help Manage Stress
Cucumbers are loaded with vitamins such as vitamin B1, B5 and B7 (which is also known as biotin). These B vitamins help ease feelings of anxiety as well as aid in reducing the damaging effects that stress can cause. The B vitamins found in cucumbers are also great for a good “pick-me-up” if you are feeling low or running out of energy.
Cucumbers are cheap and are easy to come by. They are also very versatile in recipes. Simply slice up a cucumber and use it as tiny serving “dishes” for vegetable or tuna salads. Cut one length wise and use in place of bread for a sandwich. There are so many thing you can do with them!
Source: Fitlife.tv
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