Picture a glass of water filled with slices of cucumber is there literally anything more refreshing? Bonus points if you put those slices over your eyelids afterward.
But when it comes to eating cukes-do cucumbers actually have any nutrition benefits? Or is chowing down on cucumbers basically the same as eating iceberg lettuce?
Good news, cuke lovers: like any vegetables, cucumbers have health benefits.
So without any more preamble, let us start. Here are 7 benefits of having cucumbers:
- Cucumbers are super nutritious: Here is the nutrition info for one cup of cucumbers- calories 16, protein 1g, fat-0g, fibre 1g, carbohydrates 4 g, sugar 2g and sodium 2 mg. And beyond their low calories package, cucumbers pack of lot of important nutrients like vitamins C, vitamins K, Magnesium and many more.
- They contain anti-oxidants and micronutrients: Cucumbers contain a group of polyphenols called lignans, which may be helpful in treating estrogen-related cancers. It also contain certain other types of antioxidants which help fight inflammation and protect cells from chronic disease.
- Cucumbers may help keep your blood pressure in check: High blood pressure or hypertension, can leave you at risk for developing an stroke or worse. Since cucumbers are high in the electrolyte potassium, they may reduce sodium induced water retention and thus lower blood pressure.
- They can keep your digestion going strong: Basically all the calories in cucumbers come from fibre. Fibre helps improve gut health and bowl movement regularity, is beneficial in managing certain conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol and will even fill you up to prevent you from overeating.
- They may help promote a healthy weight: There is not a single food or exercise that is single- handedly responsible for weight loss or maintenance, but cucumbers are certainly a great addition to an otherwise healthy lifestyle that is rich in produce, whole grains, healthy fat and lean protein. They can help with weight loss as they are a very filling food.
- Cucumbers may help regulate diabetes: Cucumbers are clutch at keeping diabetes in check. Because they are rich in water, they expand in in your stomach and thus reduce cravings for sugary snacks, which is a great way to regulate insulin levels.
- They are super versatile in cooking: Cucumbers have a neutral flavour, so they work really well in a number of dishes or as a simple snack.
Ready to add more cucumber to your health and diet? Try incorporating cucumbers in your regular diet to get the maximum health benefits of cucumber.
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