During those hot summer days, one of the most refreshing foods you can eat is a cucumber. Cucumbers rank fourth among the most cultivated vegetables in the world.[1] They are members of the gourd and squash family and grow on crawling vines on the ground.[2]

5 ways cucumbers improve your lifeWe can categorize cucumbers as either slicing cucumbers or pickling cucumbers.[3] And among each category we find a wide variety of options.

Cucumbers are tied with iceberg lettuce containing more water per serving than any other vegetable.[4] Packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, cucumbers qualify as a superfood.[5] Cucumbers provide a great source for:

  • Vitamin A
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin B1
  •  Lignans
  • Vitamin C
  • Silicon
  •  Vitamin K
  • Sulfur
  • Folate
  • Electrolytes
  • Potassium
  • Fiber
  • Molybdenum
  • Copper
  • Flavonoids
  • Triterpenes[6]

 

With all those healthful ingredients, it’s no wonder cucumbers are good for us!

5 Ways Cucumbers Improve Your Life

1. Cucumbers refresh and keep you hydrated.

With 96% water and all those minerals, cucumbers provide a great way to replenish electrolytes in the body and eliminate toxins.[7] And the vitamin B1 in cukes stimulates a sense of well-being and provides an energy boost.[8]

2. Cucumbers prevent and fight disease.

When eaten regularly, cucumbers help lower blood pressure.[9] Cucumbers also contain three lignans known to reduce the risk of heart disease and breast, prostate, uterine, and ovarian cancers.[10] Cucumbers are also helpful for the diabetic. These low glycemic, delicious vegetables contain a hormone that assists the cells of the pancreas in producing insulin.[11]

3. Cucumbers rejuvenate your skin.

Cucumbers enhance skin function when applied topically and supply a common ingredient in cosmetics.[12] Spas are known for their use of cucumber slices to reduce puffiness of the eyes. The ascorbic acid and caffeic acid in cucumbers prevent water retention in the skin, reducing swelling. Apply cucumber skin to sunburn, inflammation or eczema to experience welcome relief.[13]

4. Cucumbers promote healthy joints.

As an excellent source of silica, cucumbers strengthen the connective tissues in the body, promoting healthy joints, and healthy nails and hair.[14], [15] Cucumbers also reduce uric acid for the prevention and relief of gout, arthritis, kidney stones and gallstones.[16]

5. Cucumbers help you lose weight.

A one-cup serving of cucumber boasts only 15 calories and just 4 grams of low glycemic carbohydrates.[17] This makes cucumbers a great choice for a low-cal, low-carb diet. If you have an issue with constipation, you can remedy that by eating cucumbers daily.[18] For those on the run, cucumbers are easy to pack as a low calorie snack.

Cucumbers are available year-round, are inexpensive to purchase, and relatively easy to cultivate. When buying cucumbers, those commercially grown are often sprayed with pesticides that are difficult to wash off. If those are the only cucumbers available, it’s best to peel them before eating. Better yet, buy organic cucumbers or grow your own.[19]

Recipes: Three Delicious Ways to Enjoy Cucumbers

Austrian Gurken Salat (Cucumber Salad)

cucumber saladIf you ever eat in a Gasthaus in Austria, you’ll likely find this light, delicious salad on the menu.

  1. Peel a large burpless cucumber and cut it into 1/16-inch slices
  2. Dice a small onion and about a teaspoon of fresh dill
  3. Toss the cucumber slices, onion and dill together
  4. Stir in about a cup of sour cream (just enough to coat the slices)
  5. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve chilled

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Here’s a very tasty and refreshing way to combine two superfoods:

  1. Wash and cut a cucumber into 1/8-inch slices
  2. Cut an equal amount of your favorite tomatoes into bite size pieces
  3. Chop 1/8 cup of fresh basil
  4. Cut up ½ cup mozzarella cheese into small, bite size pieces
  5. Crush one garlic clove
  6. Toss all ingredients sprinkled lightly with olive oil
  7. Douse liberally with balsamic vinegar
  8. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve at room temperature

Cucumber Infused Ice Water

cucumber infused waterYou’ve probably enjoyed ice water with lemon slices. The cool, subtle flavor of cucumber slices creates a delightfully refreshing summer beverage as well.

  1. Wash and cut just enough of a cucumber to obtain 8 to 10 thin slices.
  2. Place cucumber slices in a large pitcher and add ice and water.
  3. Allow to stand in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.

According to Richard Folkard in Plant Lore, there may be one more unexpected way in which cucumbers can improve your life. “To see cucumbers in a dream denotes that you will speedily fall in love. Or, if you are in love, then you will marry the object of your affection.”[20]

Now if a cucumber can do that, what more could you wish from a superfood?

If you liked this article, then you’ll love these:

 

Rob FischerRob Fischer has been writing professionally for over 35 years. His experience includes writing curricula, study guides, articles, blogs, newsletters, manuals, workbooks, training courses, workshops, and books. Rob has written for numerous churches, for Burlington Northern Railroad, Kaiser Aluminum, and Barton Publishing. He has also trained managers in effective business writing. Rob holds two Master’s degrees, both focused heavily on writing. Rob has published eleven books and serves as an editor and ghostwriter for other authors.

 

 

 

Sources:

[1] Natural News, “10 Health Benefits of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/036769_cucumbers_health_benefits_rehydration.html#.
[2] Rodale News, “5 Refreshing Recipes for Mineral-Rich Cucumbers,” 2010, http://www.rodalenews.com/cucumber-recipes.
[3] Health Online Zine, “15 Health Benefits of Cucumber,” 2011, http://www.healthonlinezine.info/15-health-benefits-of-cucumber.html.
[4] Rodale News, “19 Foods that Will Quench Your Thirst,” 2011, http://www.rodalenews.com/water-foods.
[5] Natural News, “The Anti-Aging Effects of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/035719_cucumbers_anti-aging_vegetables.html.
[6] The World’s Healthiest Foods, “Cucumbers,” http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42.
[7] Natural News, “10 Health Benefits of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/036769_cucumbers_health_benefits_rehydration.html#.
[8] Jennifer Brett, N.D., “How Vitamin B1 Works,”  21 December 2006.  HowStuffWorks.com. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/vitamin-supplements/vitamin-b-1.htm  22 May 2014.
[9] Gardening Channel, “The Health Benefits of Cucumbers,” http://www.gardeningchannel.com/the-health-benefits-of-cucumbers/.
[10] Natural News, “The Anti-Aging Effects of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/035719_cucumbers_anti-aging_vegetables.html.
[11] Natural News, “10 Health Benefits of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/036769_cucumbers_health_benefits_rehydration.html#.
[12] Nature and More, “Cucumber,” 2012, http://www.natureandmore.com/products/cucumber.
[13] Natural News, “The Anti-Aging Effects of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/035719_cucumbers_anti-aging_vegetables.html.
[14] Natural News, “10 Health Benefits of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/036769_cucumbers_health_benefits_rehydration.html#.
[15] The World’s Healthiest Foods, “Cucumbers,” http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42.
[16] Gardening Channel, “The Health Benefits of Cucumbers,” http://www.gardeningchannel.com/the-health-benefits-of-cucumbers/.
[17] Nutrition Data Self, “Cucumber, with Peel, Raw,” http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2439/2.
[18] Natural News, “10 Health Benefits of Cucumbers,” 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/036769_cucumbers_health_benefits_rehydration.html#.
[19] The World’s Healthiest Foods, “Cucumbers,” http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42.
[20] Food Reference, “Cucumber Quotes,” http://www.foodreference.com/html/qcucumber.html.

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