Sitting watching my grand-nephews and grand-niece over the last several days, devour Cucumbers with their Pasta, Fish and Chicken,I was inspired to do a post on this Healthy, Nutrient-rich food!!
1. Nutrient-Rich : Cucumbers are nutrient rich. They contain Vitamin K, B and C, Copper, Manganese and Potassium. All these vitamins and minerals can help avoid nutrient deficiencies within our bodies.
2. Polyphenols : Cucumbers contain Polyphenols called lignans, which help to lower your risk of Breast, Uterine, Prostate and Ovarian Cancers. They also contain Phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which have anti-cancer properties. These lignans also protect against Cardiovascular diseases.
3. Anti-inflammatory flavonoids : Cucumbers contain Fitesin (an anti- inflammatory flavonol) that help in improving your Memory and protecting your nerve cells from Age related decline.
4. Anti-oxidants : Cucumbers contain Anti-oxidants, Flavonoids and Tannins which prevent the accumulation of Free Radicals and reduce the risk of Chronic disease.
5. Hydration : Cucumbers contain about 96% water, so help in increasing Hydration in the cells of the body. This and the fact that they extremely low in Calories can help in weight loss.
6. Eye Health : Apply chilled cucumber slices on your eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.
7. Skin Health : Due to skin friendly minerals like Magnesium, Potassium and Silicon, eating cucumbers help in bringing out a glow on the skin. These minerals are also good for the Hair and for stronger Nails.
8. Diabetic Health : Cucumber contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin, so cucumbers can be eaten freely by diabetics.
9. Cholesterol : Sterols in Cucumber help reduce bad cholesterol.
10. Blood Pressure : Cucumbers are a good food for people,suffering from high blood pressure. It can help stabilise BP levels.
11. Fiber Content : Due to high Fiber and Water Content, both of which may help precent Constipation and increase regularity, cucumbers are a great food to include in your diet.
12. Bone Health : Due to its Vitamin K content – One cup of cucumber contains 22% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin K. Cucumbers are good for improving Calcium absorption in the bones.
CAUTION
If you overdose on Cucumber, due to its excessive presence of water, it can lead to an Imbalance in the Electrolyte levels in the blood (Sodium,Potassium, Chlorine).
Indigestion leading to bloating and flatulence if you have a Also due to the Cucurbitacins in the Cucumber, it can trigger sensitive digestive system.