The Skinny:
Cucumbers generally don’t receive a lot of thought. Admittedly, they don’t get a lot of bad press either. The Royals and other swells certainly appreciate their cucumber sandwiches at high tea and lots of commoners also like to throw them in salads. And, of course, turn a garden-variety cucumber into a crunchy Kosher Dill pickle and there’s culinary gold to be had. But in terms of health benefits, it’s rare to find anyone hyping the cucumber. That’s unfortunate because while cucumbers may be not considered a superfood, they still pack a surprisingly big nutritional punch. In fact, they offer a rich harvest of cucumber health benefits that can help people look and feel better. Read on to find out why people should chow down on more of them.
The Slate:
Helps Hydrate
Anyone who has bitten into a cuke knows they are pretty juicy. So, it should be of little surprise that eating them can help people stay hydrated, which is pretty important on all sorts of health fronts. Staying hydrated helps with digestion, joint pain, kidney function, cognitive health and regulating body temperatures.
Bone Builders
Since cucumbers are loaded with vitamin K, they support bone health, ultimately reducing the risk of fractures and building bone mass, which lowers the risk of osteoporosis.
Weight & Blood Sugar Management
Munching cucumbers is a great way to keep pounds off. This vegetable is low in calories and sugar and high in fiber and water. The combination means that eaters feel full without overloading themselves with weight-gaining elements. By helping to reduce weight, they also lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Cancer Killer?
There are initial reports that the high amounts of the plant compound Cucurbitacin B (CuB) found in cukes might be useful in the fight against liver, breast, lung and prostate cancer. The peel of a cucumber helps provide fiber that can lower the risk of colon cancer.
Heart Health
The minimal amounts of sodium coupled with the high amounts of potassium in cucumbers are great for heart health. The combination keeps blood pressure in check. But there is more. The CuB in cucumbers supports heart health by fighting atherosclerosis, the fatty build-up in heart artery walls.
Antioxidant Bonanza
Cucumbers are stuffed with antioxidants such as beta-carotene, fisetin and cucurbitacin, all of which battle nasty free radicals and the problems they cause. Fisetin, for example, may help fight neurological disorders, while as noted, CuBs can take the battle to a range of cancers.
Happy Bowels
The hydration cucumbers provide coupled with the fiber the entire vegetable serves up supports gut health and more regular bowel movements. This is always a good thing. In particular, pectin, the soluble fiber found in cucumbers, keeps everything moving nicely.
Skin & Hair Care
Almost everyone has seen cucumbers applied to the eyes and various parts of the face and skin. What’s the reason? Cucumber slices help soothe skin irritation and reduce inflammation thanks to their cooling effect and anti-inflammatory properties. These applications also lessen wrinkles and improve complexions. The silica in cucumbers also promotes hair growth and stronger hair follicles.
Eyes Up:
Do you worship cucumbers? Tell us why at info@wellwellusa.com.
