16 Cool Health Benefits Of Cucumbers

Awesome Health Benefits Of Cucumbers

Not only are cucumbers completely yummy, but they’re also really great for your health! There are so many uses and health benefits of cucumbers, there is no reason to not eat these vegetables on a daily basis. You can enjoy cucumber slices as a snack or mix them into a salad. However you choose to add them to your diet, you’ll be sure to feel and look better!

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Antioxidant Rich

Cucumbers are full of a bunch of wonderful antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and other horrible diseases. By adding more cucumbers to your diet, you’ll promote a healthy body by giving it the nutrition it needs!

Promotes Hydration

Did you know? Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (as much as 96%). Because of this, they refresh the body and help it receive the hydration it so desperately wants.

Helps With Bowel Functions

Since cucumbers are filled with water, it can help with stool consistency and prevent constipation. Also, cucumbers contain fiber which is necessary to maintain healthy bowel movements.

Pectin, soluble fiber found within cucumbers, definitely helps to increase the frequency of bowel movements. During a study with 80 participants, it was proven that pectin speeds up the intestinal muscles and feeds healthy bacteria in the gut. [1] What a great way to promote digestive health!

But note that most pickles bought at the store do not contain such wonderful benefits because of the fact they have been boiled out. Bummer!

Aids Weight Loss

Yup! Cucumbers can actually help you lose weight!

They are extremely low in calories. An 11-ounce cucumber only has 45 calories! That means this yummy food can fill you up for a fraction of the calories. Also, the high water content helps to keep you full!

Multiple studies prove that foods contain a high amount of water and low calories significantly help with weight loss! [2]

Lowers The Risk For Cancer

Lucky for us, cucumbers contain pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol.

Q: What the heck are they?!?

A: These are called lignans, a type of polyphenols. These wonderful components fight cancer. They fight against uterine, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer.

Another cancer-fighting agent found in cucumbers is called cucurbitacins. They block the necessary pathways cancer needs to develop and survive. Woot! Woot!

Strengthens Brain Health

There’s a wonderful anti-inflammatory flavonol found in cucumbers called fisetin. It greatly impacts the brain in a positive way. It improves memory, protects nerve cells from declining in function (due to age), and really helps against the effects of Alzheimer’s.

Another great health benefit of cucumbers is its ability to fight headaches. They reduce swelling and inflammation. Therefore, eating a food high in magnesium and water (like a cucumber) can fight off a headache. [3] How awesome!

Fights Bad Breath

If you’ve been struggling with bad breath, here’s a cure for you to try. Place a slice of cucumber on the roof of your mouth and it will eat away the bacteria that causes odor.

Boosts Immunity

Because cucumbers are filled with wonderful A, B, and C vitamins, it’s no surprise that they provide you with energy and increase your immunity levels.

Fights Heartburn

Eating cucumbers is a way to obtain quick relief from heartburn.

Soothes Sunburn

Apply some cucumber on a sunburn for pain relief. It also removes the itchy feeling!

Removes Bodily Toxins

Since cucumbers are filled with water, it causes the body to quickly flush out the body of toxins. If you eat them regularly, they are known to dissolve and eliminate kidney stones.

Reduces Bad Cholesterol

There’s a substance known as sterols that are found in cucumbers. These reduce bad cholesterol levels.

Eliminates Bags Under Eyes

Not only does it remove the bags from under your eyes, but it also reduces swelling and puffiness that can be found underneath the eyes as well.

Plus, research suggests that cucumbers trigger anti-aging and anti-wrinkling activity. In case you were wondering, that’s why cucumbers are used in spa treatments.

Promotes Bone Health

Cucumbers are a wonderful source of Vitamin K. (One cup has 19% of your recommended daily intake value!) Plus, Vitamin K can lower fracture risks and beneficially affect calcium levels.

Also, there’s silica found within cucumbers. This substance helps to strengthen weak bones. You can find caffeic acid and ascorbic acid in this vegetable, too. These help to create strong ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

Strengthens The Heart

Although eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables is a great start to a healthier heart, eating cucumbers can most definitely help because they contain potassium. Unfortunately, only less than 2% of adults in America receive 4,700 mg of potassium recommended per day. [4] Therefore, cut up some cucumbers and get to snacking!

Also, cucumbers promote vasodilation, which is just a scientific term for ‘widening of the blood vessels’. This means that it reduces hypertension and lowers blood pressure. Ultimately, this leads to a lower risk of heart disease and other heart-related illnesses.

Boosts Alkalinity In Blood

By keeping a healthy pH level in your body, you can prevent cancer. Cucumbers are one of the awesome foods that fight acidity and kills free radicals.

Nutritional Facts Of Cucumbers:

Serving Size: One Cup With Peel

Calories: 16

Total Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Protein: 0g

Vitamin C: 3mg (4% DV)

Vitamin K: 17mg (22% DV)

Potassium: 152mg (4% DV)

Magnesium: 6mg (4% DV)

Manganese: 8mg (4% DV)

For more information on how to read a nutrition label, click here.

Conclusion

There are many wonderful health benefits of cucumbers and I certainly recommend that you add them to your diet in any way that you can. Get creative! Use them in morning smoothies, a salad for lunch, or just as a snack throughout the day. Some of the many benefits of cucumbers include:

Filled with antioxidants
Promotes hydration
Bowel health
Aids weight loss
Lowers cancer risks
Combats bad breath
Strengthens brain health
Boosts immunity
Fights heartburn
Soothes sunburn
Detoxes body
Reduces bad cholesterol levels
Strengthens bones
Promotes heart health
Boosts alkalinity in pH levels

Were you surprised by any of these wonderful health benefits of cucumbers? I’d say, don’t waste any more time and add cucumbers to your shopping list today!

References:

Ariel Shanelle

Wealth | Fitness