6 Health Benefits of Cucumbers

A cucumber is one of the most underrated vegetables. A lesser known fact is that botanically, it’s a fruit.

Though it may look the same to the untrained eye, cucumbers actually come in many different types.

Some of those types include White Cucumbers, English Cucumbers, Persian Cucumbers, Lemon Cucumbers and Garden Cucumbers.

The cucumber is good for many things when it comes to a person’s health. Given below are six health benefits of cucumbers—

1. It has high nutritional value with zero fat content.

As unassuming as cucumber is as a food item, it is a highly nutritious one. It has a high nutritional value making it incredibly palatable amongst health conscious individuals.

With a low calorie content and high vitamin & mineral content, cucumber can even be considered to be a superfood.

Protein, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, potassium, sodium, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and calcium— these are the nutrients found in cucumbers.

The most amount of cucumber nutrients can be derived by consuming it without removing the peel.

What’s more? It doesn’t contain any fat. So, it is quite helpful in satiating your hunger while on a diet.                      

2. It helps in hydration.

Cucumber has a high water content— as much as 96%. Hence, it helps in keeping a person hydrated. Especially in the summer months.

While most of the daily fluid requirements are met through other liquids (water, tea, juice and coffee), consuming cucumbers can enable people to receive about 40% of the total water intake.

Hydration is perhaps one of the most important benefits of eating cucumber.

3. It may aid in lowering blood sugar.

There have been numerous studies that have shown that cucumbers may help in lowering blood sugar.

This in turn is very useful in preventing diabetes-related health complications.

However, it is believed that more research is needed on this topic for a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between cucumbers and lowered blood sugar levels.

Controlling blood sugar levels is still considered to be one of the benefits of cucumber for women and men.

4. It contains antioxidants.

Antioxidants are very important in order to reduce the risk of various diseases. These diseases include cancers and heart-related complications.

Cucumbers are high in antioxidants making it a potent ingredient in fighting off agents that cause the oxidation of various cells in your body.

Cucumbers contain flavonoids and tannins, which are highly effective in blocking the notorious free radicals that are known to work as catalysts for oxidation of cells.

And that is perhaps one of the biggest health benefits of cucumbers.

5. It regulates bowel movements.

The smooth functioning of the digestive system is important for maintaining good health.

And for the digestive system to function properly, it is extremely important for a person to have well-regulated bowel movements.

That can only happen if an individual’s diet contains the required amount of fibre, on a daily basis.

When eaten frequently, cucumbers can constitute the amount of fibre needed for a healthy and trouble-free digestive system.

Regulating bowel movements is one of the best benefits of eating cucumbers.

6. It is easy to add to a diet.

Cucumbers have a mild taste with a crunchy disposition. Hence, it is something that is incredibly easy to add to a diet.

It can be eaten raw without any added flavours or it can be paired with a hummus dip with mild spices.

You can sprinkle a little bit of salt or salad dressing over the cucumber to make it more appetising.  

Now that you are familiar with the cucumber benefits for men and women, you can try to have it more often.