Want to Lose Weight? 10 Reasons to Eat Cucumbers
Add it to your salad, yogurt, smoothie, or munch on it instead of snacks. The green vegetable offers many health benefits. Here are all the reasons to eat more of it.
We all love eating it, but cucumbers have health properties that make it a must-have vegetable. What exactly do they do in our bodies? The answer is in front of you.
Good for Bones
A cup of cucumbers with their peel contains about one-fifth of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin K - which plays an essential role in maintaining bone health. Research has found a link between low levels of Vitamin K and the development of osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures.
Prevents Dehydration
Water is essential for our body, but if you don't drink enough, at least make sure to eat cucumbers that are composed of 90% water, which can compensate for fluid loss.
Protects Against Cancer
Chemical components found in cucumbers are linked to their ability to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and uterine cancer..
Good for Teeth
If you suffer from bad breath, place a slice of cucumber in your mouth and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for half a minute. The compounds in the vegetable will kill the bacteria responsible for the unpleasant odor. Additionally, cucumber juice can heal gum diseases and freshen your mouth.
Good for the Heart
Cucumbers contain dozens of types of antioxidants that contribute to the health of the heart and blood vessels, and even the seeds hidden inside them bring health benefits according to research done in 2017. People with slightly high blood fat levels who consumed a daily extract of cucumber seeds managed to lower bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol.
Aids Digestion and Weight Loss
Cucumbers are low in calories but rich in fibers and liquids. A medium cucumber contains a quarter of the calories of a medium apple, 4 grams of carbohydrates, of which 1.5 grams come from fiber. This means each bite of cucumber is more filling and less fattening, making it an ideal snack for people looking to lose weight. Additionally, the dietary fibers in cucumbers are excellent for digestion, and it's recommended to consume them daily to avoid constipation issues.
Good for Skin
Cucumbers are rich in potassium, magnesium, and silicon vital for the skin. Place cool slices of cucumber on puffy eyes, and you'll see the puffiness decrease, along with the bags under the eyes - all thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties in the vegetable. Cucumbers were also used as a grandma's remedy for skin issues like acne or sunburns.
Full of Vitamins
Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins we need daily. Vitamins A, B, and -C boost the immune system and provide us with energy. A cucumber can be even more effective if blended into a smoothie with spinach and carrots. Make sure not to peel the cucumber, as the peel contains about 12% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C.
Helps Joints
Cucumbers contribute to joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. When mixing cucumbers and carrots in vegetable juice, it can reduce pain caused by arthritis or gout by lowering uric acid levels in the body.
Supports Kidney Function
Eating cucumbers reduces uric acid levels in the body, helping maintain kidney function.
