HEALTH ISSUES:Top 9 Health Benefits of Consuming Cucumbers

This post will enlighten you about Cucumbers. The benefits of Cucumbers cannot be overemphasised as they help improve health and keep the body fresh. If you want to know how to stay healthy by eating Cucumbers, this post is for you. Fasten your seat belts!

Below are the top 9 Health Benefits of Eating Cucumbers

1. Cucumbers help to Protect the Brain

There is anti-inflammatory flavonol in Cucumbers known as fisetin which plays an important role in brain health. Fisetin in Cucumbers not only improves memory and protects nerve cells from age-related decline, this fisetin has also been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Cucumbers help to Lower the Risk of Cancer

In Cucumbers, there are polyphenols called lignans which help to reduce the risk of of different forms of cancers such as breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Cucumbers also contain plant nutrients known as cucurbitacins, which also have anti-cancer/cancer-reducing properties.

3. Cucumbers help to Combat Inflammation

Cucumbers may help to “cool” the inflammatory response in your body, and animal studies suggest that cucumber extract helps reduce unwanted inflammation, in part by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes (including cyclo-oxygenase 2, or COX-2).

4. Cucumbers have 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.

For instance, quercetin is an antioxidant that many believe prevents histamine release—making quercetin-rich foods “natural antihistamines.” Kaempferol, meanwhile, may help fight cancer and lower your risk of chronic diseases including heart disease.

5. Cucumbers help to Freshen Your Breath

Cucumbers help to freshen your breath. Eating Cucumbers reduces the risk of developing mouth odour. Also, placing a slice of cucumber on the roof of your mouth may help to rid your mouth of odor-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.

6. Cucumbers help Manage Stress

Cucumbers contain B vitamins which are known to help reduce stress and the feelings of anxiety. The B vitamins contained in Cucumbers include vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin).

7. Cucumbers Support Your Digestive Health

Cucumbers are rich in two of the most basic elements needed for healthy digestion: water and fiber. Adding cucumbers to your juice or salad can help you meet the ideal of amount of fiber your body needs — 50 grams per 1,000 calories consumed.

If you struggle with acid reflux, you should know that drinking water can help suppress acute symptoms of acid reflux by temporarily raising stomach pH; it’s possible that water-rich cucumbers may have a similar effect.

Cucumber skins contain insoluble fiber, which helps add bulk to your stool. This helps food to move through your digestive tract more quickly for healthy elimination.

8. Cucumbers help to Maintain a Healthy Weight

Cucumbers are very low in calories, yet they make a filling snack. The soluble fiber in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to

slow down your digestion. This helps you to feel full longer and is one reason why fiber-rich foods may help with weight control.

9. Cucumbers are Heart-friendly

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.

This should encourage you to eat a cucumber today.