Everyone is probably familiar with the long dark green cucumbers that you can find in most grocery stores, but there actually hundreds of different types of cucumbers. All these types of cucumbers belong to the same botanical family as melons and pumpkins. Cucumbers are divided into two types, slicing cucumbers to be eaten fresh and the pickling cucumbers that are used to pickle. Cucumbers are after onions, tomatoes and cabbage the most grown vegetable worldwide. Technically, cucumbers are actually a fruit but they are mostly referred to as vegetable. Cucumbers are very beneficial for your overall health and their low amount of calories makes them an ideal food for people who want to lose some weight.
Cucumbers are so low in calories because they consist for more than 90% out of water. So when you have trouble with drinking enough water you can also eat a cucumber to hydrate your body. Cucumbers are also a good choice for a snack in between meals, they quench your thirst and make you feel full without adding lot of calories. When you eat a cucumber before you go to bed after a night of drinking you will much less likely suffer from a hangover. This is not only due to their high water content, but also because cucumbers contain several vitamins and minerals that help your body recover while you sleep.The high moisture content is also a reason why cucumbers are so good for your skin. Also, cucumbers are a source of silica, which helps in the development of strong and healthy tissue in the skin, muscles, tendons, cartilage and bones. Cucumbers are also used to apply directly onto the skin for the treatment of skin conditions such as sunburn and swelling under the eyes. The high silica content of cucumbers is also good for healthy nails and hair growth.
Much research is being done into the anti-cancer properties of cucumbers. Cucumbers contain a variety of fyto-nutrients which affect cancer development. One group of these chemical compounds that are being investigated are the triterpenes. These triterpenes block the cancer cells ability to grow and start to die off. Another reason why cucumbers protect against cancer is their lignan content. These fyto-nutrients are converted by your intestinal flora into compounds that have the ability to bind to estrogen receptors. Therefore, eating cucumbers regularly provides protection against the development of estrogen related cancers such as breast, uterus, ovary and prostate cancer.Cucumbers help in removing waste and toxins from the body. This is due to the combination of its high moisture content and the fibers they contain. Cucumbers are also very beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, because they help in removing uric acid from the body, and an excess of uric acid is a main cause for arthritis.
Some health benefits of cucumbers in a row:
- Cucumber contains the vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B8, B11, C & K.
- Cucumber is a source of the minerals molybdenum, manganese, copper, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and zinc.
- Cucumber is ideal if you want to lose weight because they contain hardly any calories but do fill you up.
- Cucumber contributes to a healthy skin.
- Cucumber provides protection against several types of cancer.
- Cucumber aids the body in the removal of waste and toxins.
- Cucumber in your diet reduces the risk of kidney stones and constipation.
- Cucumber helps to stabilize blood pressure and can be beneficial with either to high or to low blood pressure.
- Cucumber helps against bad breath. Keeping a slice of cucumber against your palate for 30 seconds has the same effect as chewing gum.
- Cucumber aids digestion.
- Cucumber contributes to healthy joints.
- Cucumber helps with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases by decreasing uric acid levels in the body.