Benefits Of Cucumber
Skin Benefits
Hair Benefits
Health Benefits
Other Benefits
Skin Benefits Of Cucumber
1. Revitalizes Skin
The greatest and most important cucumber benefit for skin is that it helps in revitalizing the skin.What You Need Who Can Consume It? Anyone who doesn’t have allergies, especially an oral cavity can consume this fruit. How Often? It can be consumed daily in moderation. Caution It can cause gastritis problems, itchiness, and even baldness if you consume them in excess.
2 ¼-inch slices of cucumber 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel 1teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Why Does It Work Facial masks containing cucumber juice are beneficial for skin tightening (1). Note: Rubbing fresh cucumber for 2 to 3 mins followed by an ice mask can be used in skin rejuvenation. Caution: Always use diluted lemon juice to avoid skin irritation. Also, if you have dry and extremely sensitive skin, make sure to do a patch test before using aloe vera gel on your face to avoid any adverse reactions.
2. Reverses Skin Tanning
Cucumber is a mild astringent that helps get rid of skin tan. What Do You Need Juice of a grated cucumber What You Need To Do Why Does It Work It has a mild bleaching property that can help even skin tone and give you youthful and glowing skin (2).
3. Controls Puffiness Of The Eyes
If you are worried about eye puffiness, then cucumbers can provide you with instant relief. What You Need A sliced cucumber What You Need To Do Put two slices of cucumber on your eyes and let it stay for as long as you want. Why Does It Work The ascorbic acid and caffeic acid in cucumber brings down the water retention rate which, in turn, diminishes the swelling and puffiness around the eyes. Cucumber can easily reduce the puffiness in your eyes (3). Cucumber can easily reduce the puffiness in your eyes. Simply cut slices of cucumber, refrigerate it for a while and place it on your closed eyelids every day. This will not only bring down the puffiness, but also help you relax. It actually hydrates your eyes and lessens puffiness.
4. Helps Soothe Sunburn
Cucumber also heals sunburnt skin and brings instant relief. What You Need Sliced or pureed cucumber What You Need To Do Carefully apply pureed cucumber or slices carefully and generously on the affected area and allow it to sit for as long as you want. Why Does It Work Cucumber is a natural and gentle way to treat sunburn since it helps draw the latent heat out of your body (4).
5. Rejuvenates Skin
The most common use of cucumber is to improve and rejuvenate your skin. What You Need
Cucumber juice Lemon Juice
What You Need To Do Why Does It Work Application of this mask will improve the complexion and will add a glow to your skin since cucumber is a mild astringent and is hydrating (5).
6. Treats Open Pores
You can also use cucumber to treat open pores and heat bumps on legs. What You Need
Cucumber juice Apple cider vinegar (optional) Tomato pulp (optional) Aloe vera gel (optional)
What You Need To Do
- Blend the cucumber to get the juice and use it as a toner. 2. You can also mix it with apple cider vinegar, tomato pulp, and aloe vera gel to make it more effective Why Does It Work Cucumber juice can absorb the heat, rendering coolness and closing open pores (6).
7. Fights Cellulite
Cucumber can also help banish cellulite from the thighs. What You Need
Cucumber juice Ground coffee 1 tablespoon raw honey
What You Need To Do Why Does It WorkCucumber juice contains phytochemicals that help in the production of collagen, the fiber-like protein responsible for skin elasticity and remove cellulite (7).
8. Reduces Dark Circles
Using cucumber slices around the eyes also reduces the appearance of dark circles quickly. What You Need
Sliced cucumber Or Cotton balls soaked in cucumber juice
What You Need To Do Why Does It Work The abundance of antioxidants and silica in cucumber can help in slowly fading dark circles (6). Though cucumber cannot permanently cure your dark circles, it sure can make the skin around your eyes appear lighter on a temporary basis. The skin around our eyes is often found discolored, and these dark circles spoil the prettiest of faces. Cucumber comforts the vessels around your eyes and helps bring back its normal tinge, which improves overall eye health.
9. Treats Blemishes
You can use grated cucumber to treat freckles and blemishes. What You Need
Cucumber juice or pulp 1 teaspoon of oats
What You Need To Do Why Does It Work Cucumber contains anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe your skin (7).
10. Reduces Eye Wrinkles
Cucumber is a natural moisturizer and an unsung hero for newer anti-aging therapies or anti-wrinkling therapies. The skin around our eyes is the thinnest in our body. Placing cold cucumber slices on your eyes can hydrate your eyes and the skin around with its cooling effect. This, in turn, can help reduce lines and wrinkles around eyes. Hydrated skin means smoother skin. You can actually call cucumber an eye moisturizer. In addition, cucumber juice is rich in ascorbic acid, which was found to exhibit significant free radical scavenging activity as well as potent anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity (8). The researchers concluded that C. sativus warrants consideration for its potential use as an anti-wrinkle skin health ingredient in cosmetic formulations.
11. Removing Excess Water
Cold cucumber slices on eyes helps remove excess water. This is a great way of drawing excess moisture out of the skin cells around eyes. This is believed to reduce swelling of the eyes.
12. Under Eye Bags
Cucumber also helps toning down of under eye bags. Take a small inch of a cold cucumber and make a fine paste by grinding it. Now add either lavender oil or chamomile oil to it along with some honey. Blend it well and make it into a fine paste. Now apply this under your eyes using your fingers lightly. Leave this on for around 10-15 minutes and wipe using a damp cloth. The essential oil blend helps in stress relief as well as reduces the under eye bags. Doro Cubillo, a vlogger, spoke about her experience of using cucumber juice to treat her pimples overnight. She said, “It’s pretty much gone. I don’t see white stuff and it looks less red than yesterday (i).”
Hair Benefits Of Cucumber
13. Reduces Hair Fall
Drink cucumber juice daily to control hair fall. Cucumber juice Apply cucumber juice to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for an hour and then shampoo. The most important benefit of cucumber for hair can be attributed to its silicon, sulfur, sodium, phosphorus, and calcium content. These are among the nutrients most needed for hair growth (9).
14. Gives Shiny Hair
Cucumber juice can also be used as a hair rinse to get silky and shiny hair. It conditions the hair owing to the presence of silica and makes it more beautiful (11).
Health Benefits Of Cucumber
15. Relieves Constipation
Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as an effective laxative. The amount of calories in cucumber is very low, but its fiber content adds to your bowel bulk and relieves problems like constipation (10).
16. Keeps Your Renal System Healthy
Cucumbers help treat problems arising in your urinary system. Cucumber juice Drink cucumber juice twice, daily. Cucumber juice is a potent diuretic food that helps flush out toxins from your body. It also eases the pressure on your kidneys and keeps them healthy (11). You can also consume lemon cucumber water for detoxification.
17. Aids Digestion
Digestive problems like heartburn, acidity, gastritis, and ulcers can be cured by consuming cucumber. Sliced cucumber or cucumber juice Include cucumber in your daily diet. Cucumber contains a high fiber content that helps in digestion (12).
18. Fights Intestinal Worms
Cucumber is considered as a natural remedy to eliminate tapeworm from the intestinal tracts. Cucumber contains the enzyme erepsin that is known to kill tapeworms.
19. Maintains Electrolyte Balance
Cucumbers regulate the blood pressure level in your body at the optimum. Cucumbers are one of the best sources of potassium and contain 147 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams (13). Potassium in the blood neutralizes the effects of sodium and helps maintain an electrolyte balance (14).
20. Reduces Inflammation
Fresh cucumber extracts are also known to reduce unwanted inflammation. It accomplishes the task by inhibiting the production of prostaglandin, the inflammatory compound (18). Cucumber has a substance called beta-carotene. This acts as an anti-oxidant. It helps fight free radicals and controls damage. It also promotes healing. Cucumbers are also rich in flavonoids that are great for reducing inflammation (15).
21. Beneficial For Diabetics
Cucumbers are also an effective treatment for diabetes. Cucumber juice contains hormones that are needed by the pancreas for producing insulin (16).
22. Is A Cancer Preventive
A recent study has found cucumber to be an effective remedy to fight different kinds of cancer. Cucumbers are known to contain lignans that are found to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, uterine cancer, and prostate cancer (17). It has some of the most important ingredients, such as lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol that help in cancer prevention. It has got photo-nutrients known as lignans that help in preventing cancer. Vitamin C found in cucumber seeds acts as an antioxidant and also improves the immunity system.
23. Good For Dental Health
Cucumber also combats bad breath. Cucumber slice Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of the mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds. The fruit releases phytochemicals that kill the bad breath causing bacteria (21). Cucumber juice can effectively treat gum diseases like pyorrhoea and weak gums. Cucumber keeps gums and teeth healthy as it removes bad odor from the mouth. The photochemical present in it kills the bacteria in the mouth. Regular consumption of cucumber with the seeds neutralizes acids in the mouth and promotes salivation.
24. Cures Hangover
Cucumber can also be used to cure a hangover and the headache associated with it. Few slices of cucumber Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed. This is because they help to rehydrate the body’s nutrients and eliminate the toxins that are present due to the intake of alcohol. The sugar, vitamin B, and electrolytes in cucumber will reduce the intensity of the hangover and the headache (18).
25. Good For Treating Blood Pressure Issues
Cucumber can also help lower blood pressure. Cucumber has mild diuretic properties owing to its high potassium and water content that regulate blood pressure and treat both high and low blood pressure and thus maintain heart health (19).
26. Detoxifies Your Body
One of the most common cucumber benefits is that it is a great detox. Cucumber contains 95 percent water that hydrates and replenishes the body by eliminating the toxins. The high water content in cucumber acts as a system cleanser and sweeps the waste products out of the system (20).
27. Strengthens Bones
Cucumber is also known as a great remedy to strengthen your bones. Vitamin K in cucumbers plays a very important role in strengthening bones by promoting orthotropic activity. Also, the high amount of silica in it promotes bone health by strengthening the connective tissue in the joints.
28. Treats Alzheimer’s
Another benefit of cucumber is its ability to treat cognitive disabilities like Alzheimer’s disease. Cucumbers contain a flavonoid called fisetin that is neuroprotective and enhances cognitive abilities, thereby delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s (21).
29. Aids In Weight Loss
Cucumber seeds also help in losing weight and prevent indigestion, as the seeds and pulp have a low calorie count, high water content and are replete with vitamins and fiber that aid in increased metabolism.
30. Benefits To The Nervous System
Cucumber has copper minerals that help in creating neurotransmitters that are essential for proper communication in the brain.
Other Benefits
31. Acts As A Stain Remover
Cucumber can also be used to remove stubborn stains and tarnish from stainless steel tools, countertops, and walls in the house as well as restore the lost shine. Slices of cucumber Polish your vessels with slices of cucumber. The chemicals found in cucumber prove to be very useful in making your pots and pans shine.
32. Controls Pests
Cucumber is also known to help get rid of pests. Cucumber slices Place slices of cucumbers in containers around the garden to control slugs and pests in the area. The chemical in these vegetables releases a scent that wards off the pests and insects. In addition, cucumber has major benefits as a food rather than as topical application. It is one of the most alkaline foods, and thanks to its triterpenes, it may work well to regulate diseases that involve the immune system. According to a survey conducted on 3647 UK-based individuals, cucumber ranks 17 among the most common vegetables consumed by the population. 98% of the participants claimed to have heard of it, and 73% liked consuming it. Further, its popularity among baby boomers, Gen X, and millennials was 73%, 78%, and 67%, respectively.
Side Effects Of Cucumber
The side effects of cucumber can manifest in various ways for different people. Some of these reactions are discussed along with the precautions that should be practiced:
Nutritional Value Of Cucumber
Here is the nutritional overview of cucumber:
Selection
When buying cucumbers, make sure that they are fresh. The color of the cucumbers should be light to dark green, and they should be firm in texture. Avoid buying cucumbers that have spots or cuts and are yellow in color. Also, wash them thoroughly before eating to remove pesticides and other harmful chemicals. You may find different types of cucumbers in the market. Learn more about the varieties of cucumbers available below.
Types Of Cucumbers
The most common variety is the slicing cucumber characterized by its dark green skin and crisp, refreshing flesh. Another popular variety is the English cucumber, also known as seedless or hothouse cucumbers. They are longer and have a mild flavor, making them ideal for slicing and snacking. Persian cucumbers are similar to English cucumbers but smaller and often used in Mediterranean dishes. The pickling cucumber, or gherkin, is preferred for pickling purposes due to its small size and bumpy skin. This helps it absorb the pickling brine effectively. Lastly, Armenian cucumbers are also found worldwide. They are elongated and ribbed and offer a mild taste. They are frequently consumed fresh or in salads.
Learn how you can effectively store these cucumbers in the following section.
Storage
Cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for almost a week. If you have peeled the cucumber, then you can store it in an airtight container to prevent moisture from escaping. For optimum nutrition, a cucumber should be eaten within two to three days of purchasing. Also, they should not be left at room temperature for a long time as this can make them limp and wilt. You may consume cucumbers with or without their peel and prep them in numerous ways to add them to your diet. Scroll down to the next section for some suggestions.
Preparation Tips
Here are different ways to prepare cucumbers for consumption:
Slice them thinly for burgers, wraps, and sandwiches. Dice them or make long noodle-like slices for salads. Julienne them for snacks served with dips like hummus, tzatziki, or guacamole. Blend with your green smoothies for extra hydration and a refreshing flavor. Pickle sliced cucumbers by soaking them in a mixture of vinegar, water, sugar, and spices for a few hours. For a more traditional taste, consume them after 4-5 days.
Can cucumber reduce belly fat? Check out the infographic below for more information about its different varieties, nutritional value, how to incorporate it into your diet, and some fascinating facts about this refreshing vegetable!Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team Cucumbers are high in water, low in calories, and great for a flat stomach. They will not cause bloating and may promote satiety, aiding in weight loss. How many cucumbers should I eat a day? There is no recommended dosage of cucumbers. However, eating one cucumber a day can be great. Should I peel cucumber? Not necessarily. Consuming unpeeled cucumbers help to reap their full nutrient content.
Illustration: Benefits Of Cucumber (Kheera) And Side Effects
Cucumbers are power packed with multiple health benefits. Watch this insightful video to learn more about this incredible vegetable.
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