What Are Cucumbers?
Cucumbers are popular long, lean, and green garden vegetables. Technically, they are fruits from the same family as watermelons and pumpkins, but most people consider them veggies.
Cucumbers are native to India, have a slight melon-like taste, and sometimes can be slightly bitter.
Cucumbers and salads are synonymous with each other. It is often considered as a fruit as well as a vegetable by experts as it belongs to the same plant family as that of the pumpkin, squash and watermelon, i.e. the Cucurbitaceae family.
Amazingly refreshing cucumbers are long and lean, available in many colours. They have a distinct mild melon-like taste and smell due to the presence of aldehydes. The slight bitterness of cucumber skin is because of cucur.
Nutritional Benefits of Cucumber
· Good for Hydration & Detoxification:
Boost your health with antioxidant-rich cucumber extracts. These extracts may help protect your cells from damage by scavenging harmful free radicals. They also might promote a balanced cellular environment by regulating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Include cucumbers in your diet to enjoy the natural benefits of their antioxidant properties.
Cucumbers are 96% water. Consuming cucumbers, adds to the daily requirement of water by the body, thus keeping us hydrated. This is helpful, especially during summers when we tend to get dehydrated easily. Cucumber also acts as a coolant, providing us relief from the summer heat.
Detox water made using cucumber and mint, effectively eliminates toxins from the body, improves hydration and thus results in innumerable health benefits.
· Regulates Blood Pressure:
Cucumbers are a good source of potassium, magnesium and dietary fibre. These nutrients are known to lower blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart diseases.
Research has also proved that regular consumption of cucumber juice was helpful in reducing blood pressure, in elderly people with hypertension.
· Good for Digestion:
Cucumbers act as a coolant for our stomach. The soluble fibre in cucumbers helps in slowing our digestion.
Also, the high content of water in cucumber makes our stools soft, prevents constipation and keeps our bowel movements regular.
· Reduces Blood Sugar:
Cucumbers are known to reduce blood sugar levels, thus being helpful in the management and prevention of diabetes mellitus.
Cucumbers pack a punch when it comes to bone health. Inside those crunchy slices lies vitamin K, a secret weapon. Vitamin K, in combination with vitamin D, can help increase bone density and reduce fracture rates. It supports the building of strong bones.
· Helpful in Weight Loss:
Cucumbers contain 96% of water and are low in calories. There are only 15.5 calories in 100 g of cucumber.
The high water and low-calorie content of cucumbers help in reducing weight.
· Soothes the Eyes:
Keeping cucumber slices on the eyes for about 10 minutes relaxes our eyes and reduces puffiness around the eyes.
· Reduces the Risk of Cancer:
The fibre in cucumbers protects from colorectal cancer. Also, cucurbitacin present in cucumbers possesses anti-cancer properties.
· Good for Hair and Nails:
Cucumbers contain silica which is excellent for hair and nail care. They help in strengthening the nails and prevent them from becoming brittle.
· Prevents Bad Breath:
Phytochemicals present in cucumber destroy the bacteria in our mouth that cause bad breath.
Side-Effects of Consuming Cucumbers:
· Consuming cucumbers may lead to digestive problems like bloating and flatulence in some people.
· People with kidney problems should not consume too much cucumber as it can increase the water content and potassium in their body, which is harmful to them.
· People on blood thinners should not consume too much cucumber, as Vitamin K in them can make blood clotting further difficult.
· People allergic to cucumber may show symptoms like hives, swelling and difficulty in breathing.
