The world knows the greatest health benefits of cucumber - revitalization of the skin. We also appreciate the tasty salads in which cucumbers are the central ingredients. Cucumbers belong to the family of the pumpkins and the zucchinis. Peeling of the dark green skin reveals a light green fleshy part. Cucumbers appear in two varieties, the pickling and the slicing ones. The pickling variety has a smaller size and measures about 2 to 4 inches in length. We even know that cucumbers produce a cooling effect and so they are used in soothing the eyes. But have we ever intended to study the special nutrients present in cucumber which actually contribute to this function?
A raw unpeeled cucumber is packed with the following nutrients:
- Dietary fiber
- Folate
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Calcium
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrates
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sugars
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B5
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Silica
- Manganese
These nutrients present in cucumber offer numerous health benefits. Let us explore the health areas which are benefited with the consumption of cucumbers:
- Skin Care: Cucumber displays diuretic, cooling and cleansing effects. These effects are beneficial for the skin. The high water content, Vitamins A, B and C and the presence of minerals like magnesium, potassium, manganese and silica make cucumbers an essential part of skin care. Facial masks containing cucumber juice are used for skin tightening. Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid present in cucumbers can bring down the water retention rate which in turn diminishes the swelling and puffiness around the eyes. Cucumber slices can bring relief to the skin affected by sunburn or windburn.
- Digestion: Digestive problems like heartburn, acidity, gastritis and even ulcers can be cured by the daily consumption of fresh cucumber juice. Dietary fibers drive away the toxins from the digestive system and hence promote the digestive process. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for constipation.
- Joint Health: Silica, present in cucumbers, promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues.
- Protein Digestion: Cucumber contains an enzyme called Erepsin which aids in the digestion of proteins.
- Blood Pressure: Potassium, Magnesium and fiber present in cucumber aid in the maintenance of normal blood pressure levels.
- Tapeworm Elimination: Cucumber seeds are considered as natural remedies to eliminate tapeworms from the intestinal tract. The seeds are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties which have been found effective in the treatment of swellings of the mucous membranes of the nose and the throat.
- Nail Care: Cucumber, rich in silica, can prevent splitting and spoiling of the nails of the fingers and the toes.
- Gout and Arthritis: Cucumber juice enriched with vitamins A, B1, B6, C and D, Folate, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, when mixed with carrot juice can provide relief in gout patients by lowering down the uric levels.
- Teeth and Gums: Teeth and gum diseases especially pyorrhea can be treated effectively with cucumber juice. Raw foods like cucumber are rich in dietary fiber and these fibers massage in the teeth and the gums. Raw foods also increase salivation and this again brings a neutralization of the acids and the alkalis within the oral cavity.
- Diabetes: The juice has been found to be beneficial for the diabetic patients. This can be attributed to the presence of Manganese which assist in the synthesis of natural insulin.
- Kidney Care: Cucumber shows healing attributes in relation to the diseases of the urinary bladder and the kidney. The water content of cucumbers aids in the functions of the kidney by promoting urination. In fact, cucumber is the best natural diuretic.
- Hair Growth: Cucumber juices containing silica, when added to the juices of the carrots, spinach and lettuce, promote the growth of hair. Silica is present in the connective tissues of the body. It promotes hair growth and a diet rich in silica results in glossy hair and healthy bones.
It is now expected that you would savor salads garnished with cucumbers more than what you used to do before! If some you were just having cucumbers out of compulsion and based on your dieticians' instructions, then consider relishing cucumbers with various delicious salad dishes. Form your own recipes!
