The plant is basically a creeper and belongs to the Cucurbitaceous family, its scientific name being Cucumis sativus. This vegetable is considered as a super food for its effects on the overall health.
This plant is extremely easy to grow and is cultivated in various sizes, shapes and colours. The vegetable is cultivated all over the world. It has a light to dark green thin skin, moisture-rich flesh and has tiny edible seeds inside. The vegetable is best harvested when it is young, tender and just short of achieving maturity. It has a slightly sweet flavour and is mainly eaten raw in salad or sandwiches or in the form of juice.
Health Benefits Of Cucumber:
1. Fight Constipation:
The amount of calories in cucumber is very low and it contains just 15 grams of calories per 100 grams. It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation.
2. High Fiber:
Cucumber peel is a very good source of dietary fiber. It helps reduce constipation and indigestion and prevents stomach-related diseases by eliminating the toxic compounds from the gut.
3. Healthy Urinary Bladder And Kidney:
It has healing attributes in relation to the diseases of the urinary bladder and the kidney. The water content in cucumber aids the function of the kidneys by promoting urination. The regular consumption of cucumber can also dissolve kidney stones over time.
4. Aids Digestion:
Digestive problems like heartburn, acidity, gastritis and even ulcer can be cured by the daily consumption of cucumber or cucumber juice. It can also treat the problem of constipation. Cucumber contains an enzyme called Erepsin that aids in the digestion of protein.
5. Fights Intestinal Worms:
Not only cucumber and its juice, but its seeds are also highly beneficial. Cucumber seeds are considered as a natural remedy to eliminate tapeworm from the intestinal tracts. The seeds also have anti-inflammatory properties (5) that are effective in the treatment of swellings of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
6. Good Dosage Of Potassium:
Cucumbers are one of the best sources of potassium and contain 147 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams. This heart-friendly electrolyte reduces the blood pressure level in the body and reduces the heart rate by minimizing the effects of sodium.
7. High In Antioxidants:
Cucumbers contain a good amount of antioxidants like B-carotene, A-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein (7). These compounds act as scavengers against free radicals that lead to ageing and other age-related diseases.
8. Reduces Inflammation:
Fresh cucumber extracts are also known to reduce unwanted inflammation. It accomplishes the task by inhabiting the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes like cyclooxyenase and by preventing the over production of nitric oxides, which leads to excessive inflammation.
9. Beneficial For Diabetics:
Cucumber juice contains hormones. These are needed by the pancreas for producing insulin that is extremely beneficial to diabetic patients. The copper in cucumber also aids in the production of healthy blood cells and improves blood circulation in the body.
10. Anti-Cancer:
Cucumbers are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These 3 lignans are strongly connected with reducing the risk of developing several kinds of cancer like breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer. When we consume these lignans, the bacteria found in our digestive tract take hold of these lignans and convert them into enterolignans. These enterolignans bind on to the estrogen receptors to reduce estrogen-related diseases like cancer.
11. Good For Dental Health:
Cucumber also cares for the dental health by combating bad breath. The vegetable releases phytochemicals that kill the bad breath causing bacteria. Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of the mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds. The phytochemicals will kill the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath. Raw cucumber increases salivation and brings about a neutralisation of acids and alkali in the oral cavity. Cucumber juice can effectively treat gum diseases like pyorrhoea and weak gums (11).
12. Cures Hangover:
Cucumber can also be used to cure hangover and the headache associated with it. This is because they help to rehydrate the body’s nutrients and eliminate the toxins that are present due to the intake of alcohol. Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed. The sugar, vitamin B and electrolytes content in the cucumber will reduce the intensity of the hangover and the headache.