Cucumber is a broadly-cultivated creeping vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family that usually bears cylindrical fruits used as vegetables. Cucumbers have a mild, innovative taste and a high water content. They can help soothe dehydration and are pleasant to eat in hot weather. People eat Cucumber as a savoury food, but it is a fruit. It also features some beauty products. People in India have cultivated cucumbers for food and medicine since earlier times, and they have been a component of the Mediterranean diet. Cucumbers are a good source of phytonutrients such as flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The peel and seeds are the nutrient-dense components of the cucumber. They contain fibre and beta-carotene. Beta carotene includes antioxidant that helps with immunity, skin, eye, and cancer prevention, Lemond. A study in the Pakistan Journal of Nutrition found that cucumber seeds were a good source of minerals and contained calcium. It is naturally low in carbohydrates, sodium, fat and cholesterol.
Nutritional Information
According to USDA, one 142 g cup of raw, chopped cucumber contains the following nutrients;| Calories | 17 |
| Water | 137 g |
| Protein | 0.8 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 3.1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Calcium | 19.9 g |
| Iron | 0.3 mg |
| Magnesium | 17 mg |
| Phosphorous | 29.8 mg |
| Potassium | 193 mg |
| Sodium | 2.8 mg |
| Vitamin C | 4.5 mg |
| Folate | 19.9 mcg |
| Beta carotene | 44 mcg |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 22.7 mcg |
| Vitamin K | 10.2 mcg |
Types
Slicing cucumbers bear longer fruit, about 7-8 inches, and thicker skin. More often than not, their skin is uniformly dark green, although some cultivars have a stippled colouring. The fruit later than pickling cucumbers but bear fruit longer, for about 4-6 weeks. The cucumber you see at grocers are usually this type of cucumber. Sometimes referred to as American slicing cucumber, their thicker skin makes them easier to ship, and their lack of spines is more appealing to many cucumbers.Pickling cucumbers are usually shorter than slicing, 3-4 inches long, with thin skin and spines. They often have skin colouration with a gradation of dark green to light green at the blossom end. They usually are ready for harvest sooner than their slicing cousins, but they are shorter, about 7-10 days.Some people add a 3rd cucumber classification, cocktail cucumber. As you may have guessed, these are small, thin skin fruits that are sometimes called snack cucumbers, as they are quickly eaten in a few crunchy bites.Health benefits of Cucumber
Sitting at the front of the air conditioner in sweltering heat is not enough to beat the heat. It would help if you ate some supper excellent fruits and vegetables to cool your body down naturally. These cooling foods clear out the toxins and heat from the body and protect you from many heat-related diseases. It will also help you to avoid heat rashes. One of the excellent cooling foods is cucumber, also known as KHERA. This green fruit is full of water and has a light idiomatic aroma. Plentiful in vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and copper, cucumber will not only keep you hydrated. Still, he may also help avoid nutrient deficiency and lower the risk of many diseases. The Health Benefits of cucumber are;1. Detoxify the body
Cucumber is a great detox. It contains 95% water, and this water flushes out all the toxins from the body and hydrates your body.2. Keeps brain healthy
Cucumber is a source of vitamins B1, B5, B7 (biotin). Deficiency of B complex is known to cause anxiety and stress. An anti-inflammatory flavonol present in cucumber, FISETIN is essential for brain health. Cucumbers are used in spas for their natural hydrating properties. Eating cucumber will protect nerve cells from decline due to ageing and improve memory.3. Relieves constipation
Cucumber juice is loaded with water, which aids to regulate the bowels. It is light on the stomach and acts as a natural laxative. The fibre content of cucumber adds bulk to stool and relieve constipation.4. Lower the risk of cancer
Cucumber contains a high level of bitter-tasting nutrients known as cucurbitacin. According to the International Journal of Health Services, cucurbitacin may help prevent cancer by stopping cancer cells from reproducing. Lignans and polyphenols present in cucumbers may help in reducing the risk of ovarian, uterine, breast and prostate cancer.5. Keeps the body hydrated
Cucumber water can soothe your skin from the inside out. Staying hydrated helps your body flush out toxins and keep a healthy complexion. Cucumbers are additionally high in pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, to treat acne. Eating cucumber will keep you hydrated. It will also give ease from heat burn, itchy skin and sunburn.6. Keeps kidney healthy
Consuming cucumber can help lower uric acid levels in your body by assisting kidneys to flush out the compounds in your blood. Cucumber can also help dissolve small kidney stones and get rid of toxins in your body. Cucumber is an adequate diuretic food. It will retain your renal system healthy by treating urinary system problems.7. Freshens breath
Vegetables like cucumber high in water volume are great for busting breath. Water prevents dry mouth and washes away excess unwanted food residue that may be present after a meal.8. Natural remedy for intestinal worms
Cucumber combats the intestinal worms containing Erepsin, an enzyme known to kill tapeworms. Eating cucumber will help out in eliminating the tapeworms from the intestine.9. Aids in weight loss
Cucumbers could potentially aid you to lose weight in a few different ways. They are low in calories. Cucumber adds freshness and flavour to salads, sandwiches, and side dishes and may replace higher-calorie alternatives. One analysis looked at 13 studies found that eating foods with high water and low calories content was associated with a significant decrease in body weight.10. Lower blood sugar
The nutritious vegetable could help people with diabetes as it contains high fibre content; fibre is key to lowering blood sugar levels. It also assists in slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates and sugar, further lowering sugar levels.11. Regulates blood pressure
Cucumber is a good source of potassium, magnesium and dietary fibre. These nutrients are noted to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Research has also proved that daily consumption of cucumber juice helped reduce blood pressure in older adults with hypertension.12. Soothes eyes
Keeping cucumber slices on eyes for 10 minutes relaxes our eyes and reduces puffiness around the eyes.13. Good for hairs and nails
Cucumber contains silica which is excellent for hair and nail care. It helps in strengthening the nails and prevent them from becoming brittle.14. Better skin
Cucumbers are great beauty enhancers. They show fantastic effects on the skin. The use of cucumber juice on the skin makes it soft and glow. The anti-inflammatory effect of cucumber naturally lightens our skin and reduce tanning. It also reduces wrinkles and fine lines.Frozen cucumber on face
Key things that cucumber can do for your skin;- It can reduce swelling and puffiness. Cucumber carries vitamin C and folic acid, which fight against swelling and inflammation. Freezing them heightens the benefits.
- It can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its critical vitamin K stimulates cell growth and improves elasticity in the skin.
- It can soothe irritated and acne-prone skin.
- Cucumber filled with lots of water that is suitable for dry skin. Boost hydration and moisturisation.
- Frozen cucumber makes dull skin glow.
- It reduced dark circles when frozen or simple cucumber applied daily.
How do you use frozen cucumber on your face?
The frozen cucumber hack is simple. Pop a whole cucumber in the freezer, cut off, and then use it on the face in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes.References:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283006
- https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ cucumber health benefits
- https://www.india.com/lifestyle/health-benefits-of-cucumber-10-reasons-to-eat-more-cucumbers-this-summer-2036915/
- https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/12-health-benefits-of-eating-cucumber/
