While some would classify cucumber as a vegetable, others believe it to be a fruit. Whatever the case, cucumbers belong to the cucurbitaceae family as water melon, pumpkin and squash. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals and contain other elements that are beneficial to the health. Cucumbers could be sliced in a salad or eaten whole. Below are benefits of cucumbers.
1. Helps in keeping one hydrated:
A cucumber contains about 96% of water. So in a case where you may not feel like taking water but still need to be hydrated, cucumber becomes highly useful as taking it will keep you hydrated.
2. Reduces the risk of cancer:
Cucumbers contain polyphenols called lignans which help to lower the the risk of breast, uterine, ovarian and ptostrate cancers.
3. Good for diabetics:
Cucumbers are essential for diabetic patients. This is because they contain a nutrient needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin. They also contain cucurbita ficifolia which may help reduce spikes in blood sugar.
4. Helps in weight loss:
Cucumbers are low in calories and high in fibre which makes them useful for both weight loss and digestive health.
5. Protects the brain:
Cucumbers contain an anti inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. Fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairment.
6. Reduces Inflammation:
Cucumber extract helps reduce unwanted inflammation in part by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes.
Other benefits of cucumber are: they help in flushing out toxins from the body, aids dissolve kidney stones, helps in strengthening the bones as they contain calcium and vitamin K and also they supply skin friendly minerals, reason why you find them in spas.