Cucumber water is a convenient way of getting your cucumbers in, making water less bland and much healthier. Best of all, it is extremely simple to prepare. Interested in trying some? Read on to learn of its many amazing benefits for your health.
What Is Cucumber Water?
Cucumber water is not cucumber that has been made into juice, but simply cucumber sliced and placed into chilled water for an enhanced beverage. Many of the nutrients found in cucumbers make their way into the water, and considering the fact that cucumbers are already heavily water-based, you can see why water and cucumbers are a match made in heaven.
Nutrition Info Per half-cup, sliced (52g)
Calories-7.8
Total Carbohydrate 2g
Dietary Fiber 0.3g
Vitamin A 54IU 1% RDI
Vitamin C-1.5mg 2% RDI
Vitamin K-8.5mcg 11% RDI
Calcium8.5mg 1%RDI
Iron0.1mg 1% RDI
Magnesium6.8mg 2% RDI
Phosphorus12.5mg 1% RDI
Potassium76mg 2% RDI
10 Amazing Benefits of Cucumber Water
1. Supports Bone Health
Drinking cucumber water can benefit your health in some of the most surprising ways, in this case by helping to support healthy bones. Cucumber water is not a rich source of dietary calcium or magnesium, but what it does have a lot of is vitamin K. Adding just one medium sized cucumber to your beverage yields over 20% of your daily recommended intake of this vitamin, which plays important roles in supporting calcium absorption into the bone matrix. This can go a far away in helping to reduce your risk of conditions such as osteoporosis later in life.
2. Benefits Skin
While the water alone is enough to promote skin health, cucumber water is able to do this thanks to the presence of several additional nutrients and antioxidants. In particular, the presence of the mineral silica can help keep skin tone even and prevent breakouts of acne. This also explains why in addition to drinking cucumber water many people place slices of cucumbers on the face to reduce puffiness and inflammation.
Antioxidants found in cucumber water also play an important role in reducing oxidative damage, and improving overall moisture content of the skin which is often recommended as the best thing you can do to ensure glowing skin for life.
3. Supports Weight Loss
Cucumber water is very low in calories, making it an excellent beverage to consume when trying to lose weight. An entire cucumber contains just about 45 cal, and owing to the fact that you are likely to be consuming much less of it per glass of cucumber water, you can see how beneficial it is to weight loss. Water by itself is known to have an appetite suppressing action, but with the addition of cucumbers you’re able to obtain fiber for greater reduction of appetite (you need the eat the slices to get the fiber)
4. Supports Cognitive Function
Your brain is primarily water and fat, so it should come as no surprise that staying hydrated is paramount to the overall health of this organ. Cucumbers give added punch to this benefit, and thanks to the presence of a flavonol known as fisetin, memory is preserved and the ability to continually learn is enhanced. These beneficial effects on cognition and brain function were officially studied in rodents, and while more human studies are required to confirm these benefits, there is no harm if you start consuming cucumber water now as it has many other proven benefits as well.
5. Supports Detoxification
Have you ever wondered why a variety of flavored waters and green juices are common when detoxing and trying to lose weight? It is because they are very helpful in removing toxins from the body, usually in the kidneys, but by adding in cucumber slices you also help to support the function of the digestive tract to remove waste from the colon.
Cucumber is a natural diuretic and will help improve the rate of urinary flow to the kidney helping reduce the likelihood of stones forming.
6. Helps Manage Blood Pressure
While it sounds contradictory to many people, one of the best ways to control your blood pressure is to consume lots of water. Yes, blood pressure is usually increased owing to large blood volume, but consuming additional water does not necessarily contribute to increased blood volume.
Rather, in order to maintain electrolyte balance, the body flushes out excess sodium, which is the real culprit that causes increased blood volume. In addition to this, cucumber water contains a bit of potassium which acts in a manner opposite of sodium, and can help elicit vasodilation of blood vessels. The importance of this mineral is now more critical than ever considering the fact that a large number of adults are deficient in it.
7. Helps Reduce Cancer Risk
The regular consumption of cucumbers can help to reduce the risk of several cancers, owing to the presence of special antioxidant compounds known as cucurbitacins. These and other compounds can help enhance the immune system’s ability to detect precancerous cell changes in order to eliminate those cells before they can progress into full-blown cancer.
8. Supports Joint Health
Joints are often taken for granted until something happens to them, such as an injury or much later, arthritic disease. Regular consumption of cucumber water before this occurs can prevent such outcomes in the first place, thanks once again to the presence of silica. This trace mineral helps to form connective tissue and ensures their flexibility and toughness. This can also prevent muscle related injuries owing to failure of the muscle to handle heavy loads placed upon it, such as those experienced by bodybuilders when attempting to lift maximal weight. They often end up with significant muscle tears in which skeletal muscle has become separated from connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments.
9. Reduces Cholesterol
Consumption of cucumber water can help reduce cholesterol levels thanks to the fiber contained in the vegetables. The fiber both limits the absorption of dietary fat and promote the excretion, in turn leading to a decrease in blood cholesterol. Cucumber water is advocated as an important beverage of choice for people dealing with hyperlipidemia.
12. Benefits Cardiovascular Health
While there are many aspects to consider when determining your overall cardiovascular health, maintaining optimal cholesterol and blood pressure values are a great place to start. In addition to these, however, is the fact that cucumber water may possibly contribute to reducing the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques along blood vessel walls, leading to reduced risk of experiencing heart attacks or strokes. You are also less likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease for life.
11. Can Help Reduce Bad Breath
While bad breath can have many causes, the two most common would have to be dehydration and overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. A surprisingly simple and effective remedy for both of these is to drink cucumber water. Cucumbers also help increase salivation, which lend themselves to frequent flushing of bacteria from the mouth. The beverage also possesses a small degree of antibacterial action which assist in reducing the amount of metabolic byproducts the bacteria can produce.
Conclusion
If you’ve never made cucumber water before, there’s no time better than now to do so. It’s easy to do – just cut a few slices, toss in a picture of cold water and store in your refrigerator for a refreshing beverage and alternative to water when you need it. And remember, don’t toss out the slices after you’re done with the beverage! Eat them for an added fiber boost.
Sources and References
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