It is an open secret that the vegetable plant cucumber has been making the rounds in the media of recent. One would even say that some of its publicity has been in the negative light. But is there anything like bad publicity really?
Notwithstanding, there has been quite a number of positives on the health and nutritional benefits accrued from the consumption of this plant.
Knowing fully well that most may have read various articles and viewed news contents as regards this, we’d aim to make our review quite as interesting as we possibly can.
Consuming cucumbers can;
Protect Your Brain
Anti-inflammatory Flavonols also known as fisten play an important role in brain health and Cucumbers contain a substantive amount of this. In addition to improving your memory and protecting your nerve cells from age-related decline, fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.
Reduce Your Risk of Cancer
Cucumbers contain polyphenols called lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), which may help to lower your risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers. They also contain phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which also have anti-cancer properties.
Fight Inflammation
Cucumbers may help to “cool” the inflammatory response in your body, and animal studies suggest that cucumber extract helps reduce unwanted inflammation.
Provide Additional Health Benefits with the presence of antioxidant Properties
Cucumbers contain numerous antioxidants, including the well-known vitamin C and beta-carotene. They also contain antioxidant flavonoids, such as quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol, which provide additional benefits.
Freshen Your Breath
It is interesting to note that placing a cucumber slice on the roof of your mouth may help to rid your mouth of odour-causing bacteria. According to the principles of Ayurveda, eating cucumbers may also help to release excess heat in your stomach, which is said to be a primary cause of bad breath.
Manage your Stress level
Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.
Support Your Digestive Health
Water and fibre are the two most basic elements needed for healthy digestion and cucumber contain both. Adding cucumbers to your juice or salad can help you meet the ideal amount of fibre your body needs — 50 grams per 1,000 calories consumed. If you struggle with acid reflux, you should know that drinking water or better still consuming a cucumber can help suppress acute symptoms of acid reflux. The insoluble fibre contained in cucumber skin helps add bulk to your stool. This, in turn, helps food to move through the digestive tract quicker for healthy elimination.
Help maintain a Healthy Weight
Cucumbers are very low in calories, yet they make a filling snack. The soluble fibre in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to slow down your digestion. This helps one to feel full longer and is one reason why fibre-rich foods may help with weight control.
Support Heart Health
Cucumbers contain potassium, which is associated with lower blood pressure levels. A proper balance of potassium both inside and outside your cells is crucial for your body to function properly.
As an electrolyte, potassium is a positively charged ion that must maintain a certain concentration (about 30 times higher inside than outside your cells) in order to carry out its functions, which includes interacting with sodium to help control nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.
The list is endless, so if you haven’t been a consumer of cucumber, now is the time to pick up the pace and improve your health.
