Health Benefits of Cucumber
Cucumbers are extremely beneficial to health especially during the summers as it mostly contains water and many important nutrients that are essential for human body. The flesh of cucumber is rich in vitamins A, C, and folic acid while the hard skin of cucumber is rich in fibber and a range of minerals include magnesium, molybdenum, silica, and potassium. In addition, cucumber has silica, a trace mineral contributing greatly at strengthening our connective tissues. Cucumber is known to heal many skin problems, under eye swellings and sunburn. Cucumber also contains ascorbic and coffees acids which prevent water loss, therefore cucumber is applied topically on burns and dermatitis.
Origin of Cucumber:
Scientifically known as Curcumas staves, cucumbers belong to the equivalent family as zucchini, watermelon, pumpkin, and other types of summer squash. The plant of cucumber is creeping vine giving cylindrical edible fruit round the year. You will find varieties of cucumber grown in different places either to be eaten fresh or sometimes to be pickled. The cucumbers that are usually eaten fresh are called slicing cucumbers. Gherkin cucumbers are specially produced to make pickles. These are much smaller in size than slicing cucumbers. Slicing cucumbers are available throughout the year; however they are at its best from May through July. Cucumbers originated in India almost 10,000 years ago, but are now cultivated in all continents. Nowadays, different varieties of the squash are traded on the international market and you will find them in abundance all year round.
Features & varieties of Cucumber:
As the proverb goes “cool as a cucumber” it actually compliments the squash for its soothing and cooling nature. Cucumbers are grown mainly to be eaten fresh and also to be pickled at times. The ones that are to be eaten fresh are commonly known as slicing cucumbers. In India, you will often find sliced cucumbers being sold on the street on sunny afternoons. These cucumbers are usually cylindrical in shape and vary in length from about six to nine inches. However, the size of cucumbers varies according to its cultivating factors as well. .
Health Benefits of Cucumber:
It is still not known since when cucumbers have been used for pickling, but the researchers have speculated that the gherkin variety of cucumber was developed from a native African plant. Spain was one of the countries during the ancient times that started pickling cucumbers since Roman emperors imported them from this Mediterranean country.
The health benefits of cucumber are yet to be widespread amongst all cultures. The taste of fresh cucumber is somewhat bland in comparison to other squashes, but it’s thirst-quenching and the cooling quality of this squash is truly refreshing. Cucumbers often act as antioxidants when you consume it with barbequed and fried foods. You can also drink a glass full of cucumber, carrot or orange juices. This will not only give you its wholesome nutrient value, but it genuinely tastes good.
Cucumber benefits ranges from preventing acidity to keeping skin well-toned. Cucumber has high alkaline levels, thus regulates the body’s blood pH and neutralizes acidity. The gastric patients should necessarily consume cucumber frequently. It regulates blood pressure and contributes to the proper structure of connective tissues in our body as in the muscles, bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. During summers, cucumbers help to normalize body temperature. Cucumber juice is diuretic, thereby prevents kidney stones. Cucumbers also counter uric acid, thereby preventing inflammation in joints in arthritis, asthma, and gout. You will be quite surprised to know that this squash also promotes healthy hair growth and can treat skin ailments like psoriasis, eczema, acne, etc.
A bright and glowing complexion:
Cucumber is rich in silica, this is the essential component that aids in keeping strong and healthy connective tissues including muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bone. Doctors often recommend cucumber juice to utilize the silica content and get a healthy, bright skin. The quality of cucumber’s high water content makes it naturally hydrating. Its known to all moisture is the best friend of a healthy skin.
Prevents constipation and keeps kidney healthy:
Cucumber is a perfect blend of both fiber and water. Thus, it helps you to stay away from both constipation and kidney stones. By having cucumber juice, you can consume both fiber and water at the same time. Reports say that majority Americans prefer to have a cucumber rich salad regularly as it is a great way to increase your fiber intake. Cucumber is also a good source of vitamin C, silica, potassium and magnesium; thereby you get all the more nutrition.
Control blood pressure levels:
The studies done at DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), the people consumed foods high in magnesium, potassium, and fibber, their blood pressure came down to normal levels. The group eating a diet rich in these complexes along with the other foods on this diet like seafood, low fat dairy foods, lean meat and poultry checked their blood pressure to have fallen by 5.5 points (systolic) over 3.0 points (diastolic).
Checks Diabetes:
Cucumber has been useful for diabetic patients since ages. Cucumber possesses a hormone required by the beta cells during the insulin production. The Glycaemia Index of cucumber is found to be zero. The existence of the nutrient carbohydrate and its result on the body is measured by the quantity Glycaemic Index. Every food item contains essential nutrients in different percentages. The carbohydrates contribute in raising the glucose level, however the carbohydrates present in the cucumber can be easily digested by diabetic patients.
Keeps healthy body in long run:
Cucumber has excellent cleaning properties, thereby removing amassed waste and toxins from our body. In many cases cucumber is been seen as effective treatment for arthritis since it removes uric acid. Aiding in urine secretion, cucumber has proved to be a natural diuretic. Cucumber is very good for urinary bladder, kidney, liver and pancreatic functions. Cucumber juice along with carrot juice is extremely effective for rheumatic conditions caused by excessive uric acid in the body.
Article from
http://www.organicfacts.net
