Cucumber is a vegetable like gourds, squashes, melons that belongs to the gourd family of vegetables. We encounter cucumbers in many dishes that you eat, you can see it as an ingredient in salads, it can be pickled and it can also be eaten fresh. They are mostly grown on temperate regions around the world; cucumbers are the 4th most widely grown vegetable in the world. Cucumber is a great choice for a snack and as a cooking ingredient because it contains loads of vitamins and minerals and it is low on calories.

The following are some healthy benefits that you can get when you consume cucumbers.

1. Skin Care

What makes a cucumber an essential element for you to have a healthy skin? Cucumber has a cleansing and refreshing benefit which is very important for your skin to feel and look healthy. Cucumbers are a good source of vitamin A which is good for fighting off wrinkles on your skin, vitamin B moisturizes your skin, and vitamin C helps heal sun damage on the skin. Cucumbers also contain minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium. It can provide comfort on your skin which has been wind burned or sunburned. A cucumber has ascorbic acid which helps lessen the irritation and swelling around the eyes. You can also use a facial mask that contains cucumber juice which can help to tighten your skin.

2. Keeps The Body Hydrated

Dehydration is caused by lack of water taken by the body, which can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue and dryness of the mouth especially when you are active every day. 95 percent of cucumbers are composed of water, which helps our body by keeping it hydrated and cool and makes you feel refreshed and energized. Fluids taken from cucumbers are healthier than the regular water that we take. It is very important for the body to be properly hydrated for it to effectively function, because the body is composed of water. A cucumber is a food source of vitamins that is needed by the body for a day.

3. Aids on Proper Digestion

A cucumber has a high dietary fiber and a high water content which are very useful in eliminating toxins in your digestive system and helps in proper digestion. Everyday, a consumption of fresh cucumber juice can help treat disorders in your digestive system like gastritis, acidity, heartburn and can even help cure ulcers. In fact, cucumber if taken every day can be regarded as a very good remedy for constipation.

4. Good for the Mouth, Teeth and Gums

Problems on your teeth and gums especially pyorrhea can be successfully cured by drinking cucumber juice. Consuming cucumbers can help reduce the effects of alkalis and acids within your oral cavity by improving salivation. Phytochemicals that are found on cucumbers can help eliminate bacteria causing bad breath in your mouth just by getting a slice of cucumber and placing it on your palate for about 30 seconds.

5. Cures Diabetes

Patients who are diabetic can find that drinking cucumber juice can be very helpful. Manganese which can be found on cucumbers assists the body in the synthesis of natural insulin needed by the body.


By Brian Musial

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