Health Benefits of Cucumbers and Cucumber Salad Recipe
2013
The health benefits of cucumbers are plentiful but it seems they always get a bad rap as a not so healthy vegetable, filled with water and little else. While they do contain a lot of water, the nutritional level and health benefits of cucumbers is quite high. Cucumbers are surprisingly one of the best foods for your body’s overall health. See below their abundant health benefits, along with a flavorful, easy to make, light and refreshing cucumber salad recipe. This lightly spiced cucumber salad makes a perfect accompaniment to almost any meal and is a perfect cleansing detox dish being low in calories and fat, and super nutritious as well.
Health Benefits of Cucumbers
Cucumbers make you happy. They are a great source of B vitamins and the B’s are known to help reduce stress. They are the feel-good vitamins.
Cuumbers replenish your daily vitamins as they contain almost all of the vitamins that you need each day. They contain a broad range of vitamins and are high in magnesium and potassium too.
Cucumbers help build bones with their very high level of vitamin K, which is great for bone health and promotes the building of bone mass. Vitamin K has also been found to limit neuron damage in the brain and is often used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Cucumbers high water content is great for detoxing. Cucumbers are 95% water and not just any water. The water found in fruits and vegetables is naturally filtered and super healthy living water, loaded with enzymes. The water in cucumbers is especially good at flushing toxins from the body.
Cucumbers are great for weight loss as they are low calorie and filled with water. They have a natural ability to pull toxins from the body and flush out the unhealthy fats.
Cucumbers are beneficial for the digestive system. Their high water content and dietary fiber work together to help with digestion. Also, cucumbers ability to chase away toxins clears the digestion system of them allowing for smoother digestion as well. Many digestive disorders such as heartburn, gastritis and even ulcers can be cured by drinking cucumber juice each day.
The silica and sulphur in cucumbers promotes healthy hair and nail growth.
The silica in cucumbers is also great for joint health, as it strengthens connective tissues. Cucumber has anti-inflammatory properties which further promotes smooth use of joints.
Cucumbers contain sterols which help to reduce cholesterol levels. This with their high levels of magnesium, potassium and fiber make cucumbers great for regulating blood pressure.
Cucumbers have a special hormone that the pancreas utilizes to produce insulin, and have been found to be very beneficial to diabetics.
Cucumber contains 3 lignans: lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol, which have been studied lots and found to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, uterine and prostate cancers.
More benefits?
Cucumbers can help get rid of bad breath. Press a cucumber slice to the roof of the mouth and it’s phytochemicals will remove unhealthy bacteria in the mouth that can give you bad breath.
Cucumbers for hangover prevention. If you have had a few drinks, eat a few cucumber slices before you go to bed. Cucumbers are full of electrolytes and contain enough sugar and B vitamins to replenish nutrients while keeping you hydrated and so lessen any potential hangover or headaches in the morning.
For sunburns rub thick peels or slices of cucumbers on burnt area. It works in a similar manner as aloe to remove the burn.
Cucumbers will reduce under eye puffiness because of their natural anti-inflammatory properties. Place a slice on puffy eyes and the puffiness will reduce.
Enjoy all of the health benefits of cucumbers in this healthy, tasty and easy to make cucumber salad recipe.
Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
1 English Cucumber – quartered and sliced thin
¼ small Red Onion – chopped
¼ Red Pepper – chopped
leaves of 2 sprigs of Cilantro
2 T Apple Cider Vinegar
1 T Agave
½ t Salt
Dash Cumin and Cayenne
Directions
Mix all together in bowl. Let marinate at least an hour before serving.
Photo Description
Assemble ingredients
Mix dressing and chop vegetables.
Put all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
Mix well.
..and then it’s ready. So easy! It is lightly spiced but flavorful, and a perfect side dish with many meals. Simple and abundant nutrition.
