EAT ME: Five health benefits of cucumbers

They’re usually conflicting opinions whether cucumbers are fruits or vegetables. This debate has left some of us being stuck at using both terms interchangeable for the fruit in question.

The cucumber is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Melons are a perfect example of the Cucurbitaceae family.

Cucumbers are low in sodium and also low in calories, fat, and cholesterol. This fruit is also super-rich in nutrients as well as contains a good amount of water and soluble fibre, which are beneficial to the well-being of the human body.

Now that we’ve gotten the boring science facts out of the way, let’s dive into the real ways that cucumbers benefit our health and bodies. For the purpose of this article, we’ll be discussing 5 of these benefits:

• Cucumbers Contain Antioxidants

The term antioxidants pop up most times when fruits and vegetables are discussed. This is no coincidence as fruits and veggies contain useful antioxidants which help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

A study claims that cucumber contains high amounts of antioxidant power.

• Cucumbers Increase Hydration

You only have to take a look at a cucumber fruit to know it contains a lot of water: 96% of cucumber is made up of water, according to experts. This huge quantity of water content isn’t without benefits.

Since cucumbers contain high amounts of water, they are a great source of hydration for anyone as they can contribute to meeting one’s targeted water intake per day.

As you may know, water is quite important for the overall function of the human body. It’s so important that it helps in functions like transporting nutrients and waste in the body. In fact, water is so crucial that it also helps maintain the temperature regulation in a person’s body.

• Cucumbers Are Great Skincare Agents

Notice how people going about their facial treatment (especially in movies!) always have cucumber slices around their eyes? You’ve probably even tried this too yourself right?

Yeah, this practice isn’t just for decor as cucumber has amazing benefits for the skin! Did you know that applying cucumber slices on your face aids in cooling the body as well as reducing inflammation?

That isn’t all, cucumber also helps in reducing blackheads, and dry skin. This fruit also helps in clearing clogged skin pores and hence, a fantastic ingredient for smoother, and clearer skin.

• Cucumbers Could Help In Weight Loss

Remember how we said in earlier paragraphs that cucumber is low in calories? That’s probably a way in which this fruit can help in weight loss. In simpler terms, this means that even if you eat as many cucumbers, there are no dangers since it is low in calorie content.

And the hydrating content of cucumber too will help boost digestion as well as keep you properly hydrated. If that isn’t the best formula for weight loss, I don’t know what is!

• Cucumbers Aid In Controlling Diabetes

What is diabetes? Diabetes is basically an acceleration of a person’s blood sugar. So some scientific research has been carried out and came back with the results that maybe, cucumber can be a great anti-diabetes agent. Cool right?

This miracle is possible because cucumbers contain certain substances which can help lower the level of a person’s blood sugar – a sure way to manage diabetes.

A good way to conclude this piece is to point out that cucumber can be enjoyed in so many different ways; whether it’s eaten alone, as an ingredient in fruit or vegetable salad, as a juice, or as a smoothie. Whichever way you choose to enjoy your cucumber, be sure to remain confident in the fact that this fruit is rich and a super hydrating agent great for your internal organs as well as your external organs such as the skin.

Out of curiosity, we’d like to ask; “when last did you enjoy a slice of cucumber?”