Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) less formally cuke is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits that are used as vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and seedless. Within these varieties, several cultivars have been created. As it also contain protein, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B5, folic acid and silicon – you can pretty easily enhance your bone health.
Cucumber; Nutritional Value,Cucumber Health Benefits
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 65 kJ (16 kcal) |
Carbohydrates | 3.63 g |
| Sugars | 1.67 |
| Dietary fiber | 0.5 g |
Fat | 0.11 g |
Protein | 0.65 g |
| Vitamins | Quantity%DV† |
| Thiamine (B1) | 2% 0.027 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 3% 0.033 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 1% 0.098 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 5% 0.259 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 3% 0.04 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 2% 7 μg |
| Vitamin C | 3% 2.8 mg |
| Vitamin K | 16% 16.4 μg |
| Minerals | Quantity%DV† |
| Calcium | 2% 16 mg |
| Iron | 2% 0.28 mg |
| Magnesium | 4% 13 mg |
| Manganese | 4% 0.079 mg |
| Phosphorus | 3% 24 mg |
| Potassium | 3% 147 mg |
| Sodium | 0% 2 mg |
| Zinc | 2% 0.2 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 95.23 g |
| Fluoride | 1.3 µg |
| |
| †Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. | |
Cucumber Health Benefits
- Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease – The ingredients in the cucumber play an important role in maintaining a healthy heart – with trace elements of potassium and magnesium; you can improve your body’s neurological function along with keeping your blood pressure under control.
- Healthy Weight Management – Cucumbers are a useful supplement to reduce weight. You can enjoy your meals by adding it in your diet you can either eat it in your salad or mix it in yogurt or eat it whole – the point is it will help you lose weight faster.
- Promotes Detoxification – Cucumbers help the liver to remove impurities, waste, and also helps completely eliminate accumulated toxins from your blood stream and gut. It also helps the body to pass out more urine in order to remove toxins. Drinking cucumber beverages speed up the detoxification process.
- Good for Your Skin – You can use it as a home remedy to nourish your skin by applying a thick paste on your face. The natural face mask will provide you with a soothing and cold effect. It also protects the skin from dryness, acne, skin irritation and other skin issues.
- Good for Your Eye Health – It moisturizes all the skin around your eyes as it contains 95% water. Vitamin E plays a crucial role in improving your skin, enhancing collagen production, acting as a natural, anti-wrinkle agent. Moreover, eating cucumbers on a regular basis helps enhance your vision as it contains several infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory and antioxidants that can help steer you clear of cataracts.
- Alkalizes Your Blood – Keeping your body’s pH level optimal can help eliminate free radical cells, which are acidic and cause symptoms associated with cancer. Drinking cucumber water on a daily basis can keep increase your body’s alkalinity.
- Treats Cancer – Cucumbers contain fisetin, caffeic acid, cucurbitacins, lutein, which have the capability to reduce cancerous symptoms at the early stages. The phytochemicals in the vegetable have strong anti-cancer properties including antioxidants, which eliminate the free radical cells and boost your immunity.
- Combats Bad Breath – Placing cucumber slices in your mouth can help you to get rid of bad breath by eliminating bad-odor causing bacteria along with eliminating the formation of microbes, which can also lead to oral health complications and gum disease.
- Optimal Digestive Health – To keep your gut health, you have to incorporate foods that are fibrous, and cucumbers are one of those foods. The vegetable also contains an enzyme referred to as “erepsin”, which improves the process of digestion – and helps the body adequately absorb protein.
- Anti Diabetic – Studies have found it effective against insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes, and medical scientists recommend eating cucumber peels, which helps maintain an adequate blood sugar level. Plus, eating its peels can also reduce oxidative stress.
- Maintains Adequate Blood Pressure – The rich amount of magnesium, fiber and potassium makes cucumbers useful in maintaining the right blood pressure – which should not be too high or too low. It also helps lowers the pressure in arteries and keeps them hydrated. This is one of the main reasons why cucumbers are recommended to people battling hypertension.
- Stronger Bones, Nails and Teeth – Cucumber contains ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, both of which help strengthen your body’s ligaments, cartilage, tendons and bones. The vegetable also contains silica in it, which helps in the formation of connective tissue, which helps strengthen weakened bones.
- Repair Hair – If dry and rough hair is your problem than try making some cucumber paste, mixing it with water. Then just gently massage the concoction on your head and you will gradually see the difference on your hair and scalp health
- Cough
- Fever
- Tumors
- Diabetes
- Causing an abortion, when the root is given as a shot or the fruit is applied to the vagina.
References
- Cucumbers: Planting, growing, and harvesting cucumbers”. Old Farmer’s Almanac, Yankee Publishing, Inc., Dublin, NH. 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/
- Cucumber – 5+ a day, New Zealand Retrieved 18 May 2018
- “Cucumber business leaves family farm in a pickle”. The Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada). Retrieved 13 November2017.
- https://nccih.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm
- https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucumber
- https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/
