Uses of cucumber

USES OF CUCUMBER

Cucumber is one of the best fruit which makes your diet healthier and refreshing. Cucumbers are mostly used in traditional diets as well as spas.

Cucumbers are low in calories which act as a superfood in weight loss. Cucumber contains a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.

 Cucumber is rich in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions.

This article gives you some of the top health benefits of eating cucumber.

Cucumbers have a very mild, refreshing taste and a high water content. Cucumber is mostly used in some beauty products. Cucumbers provide many nutrients but are low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Cucumbers are used for food and medicinal purposes in India since ancient times, and they have long been part of the Mediterranean diet.

Nutrition

A cup or 142 gms of raw, chopped cucumber contains the following nutrients:

• water: 137 g
• carbohydrate: 3.1 g, including 2.0 g of sugar
• fiber: 1.0 g
• calcium: 19.9 g
• iron: 0.3 mg
• calories: 17
• protein: 0.8 g
• fat: 0.2 g
• magnesium: 17 mg
• phosphorus: 29.8 mg
• potassium: 193 mg
• sodium: 2.8 mg
• vitamin C: 4.5 mg
• folate: 19.9 mcg
• beta carotene: 44 mcg
• lutein + zeaxanthin 22.7 mcg
• vitamin K: 10.2 mcg

Here are some of the best health benefits of cucumber

1. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT

Foods that contain fiber help to maintain a healthy weight. Cucumbers are very low in calories (16 calories per cup) and they also contain fiber in the skin. 

Cucumber has high water content and this helps to keep your stomach full and helps in weight loss.

Cucumbers can add freshness to healthy diets and flavor to salads, sandwiches, and side dishes. It may also be used as a replacement for higher-calorie alternatives.

Choose organic cucumber always in order to lose weight.

 2. HYDRATION

Cucumbers consist mostly of water, and they also have important electrolytes.  Cucumber is considered one of the most hydrating food.

Because cucumbers consist of about 96% water and can help you meet your daily fluid needs.

 It help to prevent dehydration in summer and hot weather and hydrates body.

Cucumber is mostly used food in summer because it gives a refreshing feel and cools down the body. Staying hydrated is important for maintaining a healthy intestine, preventing constipation, avoiding kidney stones, etc.

Hydrating your body by eating cucumber affects everything from physical performance to metabolism.

3. BONE HEALTH

Cucumber contains 19.9 milligrams (mg) of calcium. Adults need 1,000–1,200 mg of calcium a day, depending on sex and age.

A cup of chopped, unpeeled, raw cucumber provides 10.2 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps with blood clotting, and it may also support bone health.

Vitamin K also helps improve calcium absorption. Together, these nutrients can contribute to good bone health.

4. CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

One cup of cucumbers contains potassium (152mg per cup), which can help lower blood pressure.  Higher intake of potassium "is associated with lower rates of stroke and might also reduce the risk of total cardiovascular disease."

 Including cucumbers in your diet is an easy way to start increasing your potassium consumption.

By reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake may help prevent high blood pressure.

5. DIABETES

Cucumbers may also help in controlling and preventing diabetes. Cucumber contains substances that may help lower blood sugar or stop blood glucose from rising too high.

 Cucurbitacins present in cucumber help regulates insulin release and the metabolism of hepatic glycogen, a key hormone in the processing of blood sugar.

One study shows that antioxidants present in cucumber peel helped manage the symptoms of diabetes in mice.

Cucumbers also score low score on the glycemic index (GI). This means cucumber provides essential nutrients without adding carbohydrates that can increase blood glucose.

6. SKINCARE

 The nutrients present in cucumber may provide benefits for skin health.

Applying sliced cucumber directly to the skin or face can help cool and soothe the skin and reduce swelling and irritation. It can also help to cure sunburn. Placing sliced cucumber on the eyes can help decrease morning puffiness.

Other cucumber beauty tips include:

Toner: Blend and strain cucumber to collect the juice for a natural toner. Apply on the skin and leave on the skin for 30 minutes, then rinse. Cucumber may have astringent properties, and it may help clear the pores.

Face pack: Mix equal portions of cucumber juice and yogurt to make a face pack that helps reduce dry skin and blackheads.

Cucumber is mostly safe for many people to use on the skin. Cucumber is also used in many skin care and herbal products manufacturing.

 Cucumber is used as an anti-wrinkle agent in cosmetic products, protecting our skin from the effects of aging.

7. PROTECT YOUR BRAIN FROM NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES

Fisetin known as an anti-inflammatory substance is present in cucumbers, as well as strawberries and grapes.

It has been suggested that fisetin plays an important role in brain health: Fisetin present in cucumber would have "the ability to reduce the impact of age-related neurological diseases on brain function," and it also helps maintain cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease.

8. FIGHT INFLAMMATION IN THE BODY AND REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER

. Cucumber contains polyphenols called lignans, which can potentially reduce the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

They also contain plant nutrients called cucurbitacins, which have anti-cancer properties. Cucumbers can help to lower the inflammatory response in the body.

9. REDUCE BAD BREATH

 Bacteria present in the mouth is the main reason for bad breath. Fiber and water-rich vegetables like cucumbers can boost your mouth's saliva production, which helps to wash away the bacteria that cause the odor in the mouth.

10. PREVENT CONSTIPATION

Cucumbers are rich in water content, and their skin contains insoluble fiber. Both water and fiber present in cucumber help food to move through the digestive tract quicker and more easily, helping prevent constipation.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned benefits of cucumber show that it has many uses like high water content and insoluble fiber which makes it a super food in weight loss.