Cucumber Uses and Nutrition

Cucumber is a green skinned vegetable. Cylindrical in shape and cool in nature. The interior is light green in color. Cucumber taste  is a  juicy water like a light melon. The best ones are non-bitter flavors. Slice the  vegetable after removing the green skin and add it to your favorite salad. Cucumber with thin skin can be cut without removing the skin. Enjoy eating this refreshing crunchy vegetable to gain lot of benefits- health as well as culinary. We will tell you cucumber uses and nutrition in detail

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Uses Of Cucumber

Cucumber is an immensely useful vegetable. You get relief from the hot and humid weather conditions. It is a perfect summer vegetable. Check below the various benefits obtained from cucumber.

• Anti-aging benefits: Minerals and vitamins in cucumber provide the anti-aging benefits  to our skin . Eat or apply to achieve these benefits. You get a youthful glowing skin.

• Removes  skin wrinkles : Apply slices of cucumber on the skin  to get rid of  wrinkles. Slices are best for removing wrinkles under the eyes. To remove wrinkles on the face apply cucumber juice or shredded cucumber. These act as facial masks. You will  get a soft skin.

• Removes dark circles under the eyes:  Application of cucumber slices on the eyes will remove  dark circles under the eyes.

• Bleaches the skin : Cucumber has the ability to whiten your skin and get rid of tanned skin. Silica of cucumber is responsible for whitening your skin. It adds glow to the  skin. Apply a mixture of  cucumber juice and water to bleach the skin.

• Removes  acne swelling, sore burns and puffiness under the eyes or on the skin : Apply cucumber slices on the eyes for 5-10 minutes to remove eye puffiness. Cucumber contains ascorbic acid and caffeic acid. These acids reduces skin inflammation and prevents water retention. Thus getting  rid from these skin problems. Cucumber juice skin application  is an effective way to remove acne swelling , sore burns and skin puffiness.

• Removes freckles, skin blemishes and acne marks : A mixture of cucumber juice and lemon juice applied on the skin  helps in achieving these benefits.

• Treats Sunburn: Apply pureed cucumber or slices of cucumber  or cucumber  juice on effected skin . Cucumber will soothe and rejuvenate the sun burnt skin. Other ways to apply is by using a mixture of aloe vera juice with cucumber paste. This will ensure speedy skin cell recovery.

• Acts as a natural moisturizer: Cucumber is rich in water content. 90% of cucumber content is water. It keeps your skin hydrated makes it a good skin moisturizer. Those with dry skin should eat and apply cucumber on regular basis.

• Cucumber works as a skin cleanser  : A cucumber skin pack  opens up the skin pores and cleanses the skin.This will make your skin soft and supple. Drinking of cucumber juice also flushes toxins from the body.

Recipe For Cucumber Face Mask To clean your skin

• Prevents and Cures Constipation:  If you are suffering from chronic constipation then you should eat cucumber everyday to get rid of this problem.  Cucumber inner part  contains soluble fiber and it’s exterior peel contains insoluble fiber. Both are responsible for maintaining a regular bowel movement .

• Benefits to kidney and gall bladder:  Cucumber being a good diuretic promotes urination, which  eliminates the build of toxins in kidney. Cumbers have a good silicon & sulfur content which encourage kidneys to remove uric acid in an efficient way. Other benefits are kidney & gallbladder stones are dissolved and further new stone formation is prevented.

• Cures Digestive Disorders: Problems like heartburn, acidity, ulcers and gastritis are cured eating cucumber or drinking cucumber juice on daily basis.

• Reduces High Blood Pressure : High Blood pressure is responsible for the onset of cardiovascular problems and other diseases. Cucumber is a good source of potassium. 100 grams of cucumber eating provides 147mg of potassium. This mineral reduces the high blood pressure.

• Reduces Cholesterol levels : As we know  person having high cholesterol levels have high risk of artery blockage. This blockage reduces the blood flow to the heart and resulting in heart attacks.  Cucumber reduces LDL cholesterol levels. Sterols in cucumber is responsible for this reduction. Fiber in cucumber prevents the absorption of dietary cholesterol in intestines.

• Folate in cucumber is beneficial for heart heath : Mineral folate reduces the homocysteine levels in bloods. Homocysteine damages arteries walls which encourages the deposit of fat in these vessels. When fats are deposited there is less supply of blood to the heart and thereby increase in heart diseases.

• Cucumber  is a low calorie food. It provides just 16 calories per 100 grams. It has a zero cholesterol and saturated fat content. The vitamin C cucumber content lowers body fat. When you eat a cucumber diet it keeps your stomach full. You have less desire to eat.  This is due to cucumber fiber content. Now if you exercise with such diet, it will definitely make you slim .

• The  brain benefits which one derives from cucumber is due to the various nutrients present in it .  Potassium in cucumber prevents high blood pressure. High blood pressure is responsible for stroke and  cognitive decline. Vitamin C is another nutrient derived from eating cucumber. This vitamin improves brain and nerve function, protects brain cells from oxidative damage,   helps in the creation of  neuro­transmitter- dopamine which regulates emotional response and movements, improves your memory, protects brain from age related degeneration like Alzheimer , strokes etc. Vitamin K is another cucumber nutrient that improves memory, helps in the synthesis of  important brain fat sphingolipids responsible for proper functioning of  the brain and nerves .

• Cucumber eating lowers blood sugar levels. This due to the fiber  and water content.  Cucumber contain hormone which stimulate the production of insulin. Another benefit of cucumber for diabetic patients is that it has a zero glycemic index. As foods low in glycemic index do not raise blood sugar levels. Other benefits arise due to cucumber low sugar content.

• Vitamin K in cucumber maintains the bone density. Silica present in cucumber skin does wonders for our bone health.It is a building block of collagen. Not only collagen ensures healthy bones but also ensure the smooth movement of bone joints.  This is due to collages  ability to make tendons and ligaments flexible . Silica works in tandem with calcium for healthy bone formation. You get 16mg of calcium on eating 100 grams of cucumber. Another nutrient phosphorous in cucumber is responsible for bone health. Cucumber can  prevent and reverse  osteoporosis disease. Osteoporosis is a bone disease occurring due to low bone density, leading to increased occurrence of fractures.

• Having bad breath, then  put a cucumber slice in your mouth top by pressing the tongue for 30 seconds. This will kill bad breath caused  by bacteria.  The benefit is obtained by phytochemical released by cucumber. If you are having tooth ache , put a slice of cucumber over the tooth to get a relief from the pain.  Other benefit is it increases the saliva content.  Cucumber juice is beneficial for those having gum and teeth problems. It neutralises the acids present in oral cavity. Cucumber calcium content leads to  healthy teeth. Eating cucumber will remove stains on the teeth.

• The reason why cucumber is anti-cancer in nature is due to it’s cucurbitacins and lignans content. Both these are photochemicals. Cucurbitacins blocks cancer cell growth and survival. There are 3 types of lignans present in cucumber- pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These lignams play the role of cancer prevention. Estrogen related cancer risks  like breast, prostate, uterus, ovary  are significantly reduced.

• Cucumber  is a low purine food with high moisture content. As Cucumbers are diuretic in nature,  they reduce the uric acid content in your body. This makes it an ideal food  for those having gout and arthritis problems.

• Cucumber reduces inflammation in our body. This happens due to  restraining the activity of pro inflammation enzyme cyclo-oxygenase 2 and lowering  the production of inflammation causing nitric oxide.

• Cure for hangover and headache associated with it : Cucumber flushes our toxins and re hydrates the body with vital nutrients. When you had indulged in drinking it is advisable that before you sleep, eat few slices of  cucumber. This will prevent hangover and headache. You will feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning

• Prevents Bathroom mirror fogging: Applying a slice of cucumber on the mirror will prevent fogging.

• Works as shoe polish: Applying cucumber slice on your shoe will give instant shine

• Removes  stains, tarnish and adds shine to steel items

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Cucumber Nutrition

The benefits one derives from cucumber is due to it’s nutrition value. Check the table below to know it in detail.

Nutrients in raw Cucumber, with peel

 Per 100 grams

% of Daily Value based on 2000 calorie diet

Energy

15 Kcal

1%

Carbohydrates

3.63 g

1%

– Dietary Fiber

0.5 g

2%

–  Sugar

1.67 g

– Starch

0.8g

Protein

0.65 g

1%

Cholesterol

0 mg

Phytosterols

14 mg

Total Fats

0.1 g

0%

-Saturated Fats

0 g

0%

-Monounsaturated Fats

0 g

-Polyunsaturated Fats

0 g

Omega-3 fatty acids

5 mg

Omega-6 fatty acids

28 mg

Water

95.23 g

–

Minerals

Magnesium

13  mg

3%

Phosphorus

24 mg

2%

Sodium

2 mg

0%

Zinc

0.20 mg

1%

Calcium

16 mg

2%

Iron

0.28 mg

2%

Manganese

0.079 mg

3.5%

Potassium

147 mg

4%

Copper

0.041 mg

2%

Selenium

0.3 mcg

0%

Fluoride

1.3mcg

–

Vitamins

Vitamin C

2.8 mg

5%

Riboflavin

0.033 mg

2%

Thiamin

0.027 mg

2%

Vitamin B6

0.040 mg

2%

Niacin

0.098 mg

0%

Pantothenic acid

0.259 mg

3%

Choline

6 mg

–

Betaine

0.1 mg

–

Vitamin K

16.4 mcg

20%

Vitamin A

105 IU

2%

– RAE

5 mcg

–

– Alpha carotene

11 mcg

–

– Beta carotene

45 mcg

–

– Lycopene

0 mcg

–

– Lutein + zeaxanthin

23 mcg

–

Folate

7 mcg

2%

– Food Folate

7 mcg

–

– Dietary Folate Equivalents

7 mcg

–

Vitamin E-alpha tocopherol

0.03 mg

0%

Information Source : USDA Nutrient Database

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educative purpose only. Consult you doctor or professional medical advice before using any information in this article for any health program.