This summer vegetable offers a large quantity of properties and benefits for our body, mainly due to its high water content. Its caloric intake is lower and it is consumed a lot during diets. Discover in this article what are the main properties of cucumber for our health.
Refreshing, hydrating and quenching, cucumber is one of the summer's star foods!
It can be eaten cooked, but it is more interesting to benefit from all its properties to consume it raw. If you eat the skin of cucumbers, prefer organic cucumbers because pesticides are concentrated in the skin.
The advantages of cucumber are not limited to its fresh taste enjoyed in summer. It has many cosmetic and medicinal properties.
It is a food with a very low caloric intake and few carbohydrates. It gives a good dose of fiber as well as vitamins A, B, C and E. It is, by excellence, a source of water and a unit of 100 grams contains only 13 calories. In fact, 97% of cucumbers are liquid.
The virtues of cucumber for our health
1. Cancer Prevention :
Cucumber contains cucurbitacin C, a chemical that has anti-inflammatory properties, inhibits tumor growth and reduces the risk of cancer, including breast, ovarian, uterine and prostate cancer.
The LiveScience site lists many of the studies that have been conducted on the anti-cancer properties of cucumber. Thanks to its nutrients, it could fight against the multiplication of pancreatic cancer cells.
2. Better skin and hair health:
The beneficial effect of cucumber on the skin goes through the inside and outside: eating it brings you anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe skin irritations. Placed in slices on the eyes, it helps reduce the swelling of the eyelids.
Cucumber skin can be used to soothe skin irritations, itching, insect bites and sunburn.
On the eyelids, its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties help reduce dark circles.
The silicon and sulphur contained in cucumbers help stimulate hair growth, but are also interesting for problem skin (acne, eczema, psoriasis...).
Its richness in silica and antioxidants make it an ally of mature skin and an excellent natural anti-wrinkle!
Moreover, cucumber is soothing, refreshing, remineralizing, astringent, healing and promotes cell regeneration.
It can be applied as a mask or lotion directly on the skin and hair.
3. Drain your body:
Cucumber is a good diuretic. It increases urine flow and detoxifies the body. It is recommended in case of liver congestion, kidney stones, urinary tract infection and pancreatic disorders.
4. For the health of our heart:
Cucumbers are rich in potassium and vitamin K. It thus contributes to the good maintenance of your cardiovascular health. Just like adding fruits and vegetables to your diet from elsewhere...
5. A slimming asset:
Because of its low calorie content (12 calories per 100g), cucumber is an ideal food to lose weight.
Made up of 95% water, it quickly leads to a feeling of satiety and has a diuretic and draining effect.
Another advantage in a slimming diet, cucumber is long to chew and chewing allows the release of histamine which leads to satiety and promotes fat destocking.
6. A source of vitamins and trace elements:
Cucumbers are rich in vitamins A, B1, B6, B9, C, D, E and K, beta-carotene, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium.
7. To hydrate:
Cucumbers are 95% water. Eating it regularly, especially in the summer, helps to hydrate gently. Another tip: dip a few slices in your water carafe with half a squeezed lemon and ice cubes to flavour it. You will be even more motivated to drink throughout the day.
8. Promote digestion:
Containing a large quantity of water, it promotes the elimination of toxins and helps digestion.
Daily consumption of cucumbers is a remedy against chronic constipation.
9. Avoiding hangovers :
Eating a few slices of cucumber after a heavy meal and watering well can reduce the intensity of digestive disorders and headaches.
10. Relieve bad breath, treat teeth:
Take a slice of this vegetable and push it against the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds. Phytochemicals will kill bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath.
How to choose and preserve this vegetable?
Since cucumbers can be very sensitive to heat, you'd better choose those that are sold in a refrigerated place in the supermarket. They must be firm, rounded at the edges. Their colour should be green, ranging from medium light to dark.
Avoid cucumbers that are yellow, swollen, crumpled at the ends, or have waterlogged hollow areas.
