5 Health Benefits of Cucumber

Today we are going to explore some of the health benefits of cucumber!

 

Promotes Hydration

Cucumber is a fruit that is 96% water.

Though you get most of your fluid needs met from water,  approximately 40% of your total water comes from fruits and vegetables. In fact, in a study involving 442 children, those with increased intake of fruits and vegetables had improved overall hydration. Being hydrated is essential to your health. Water plays crucial roles in many of your body’s functions such as regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients to the cells, excreting metabolic waste products, energy production, and more.

Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Some studies using both animals and humans have repeatedly proven that cucumber helps in lowering blood sugar levels. At the same time, it is also effective in preventing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar–below 70 mg/dL).

Since cucumber is also full of antioxidants (particularly in its skin), it helps prevent the formation of health conditions including diabetes.

Aids in Weight Loss

According to 13 studies including 3,628 people, eating foods that are high in water content and low in calories can actually help in shedding significant extra weight/fat. 

Cucumber is a very low calorie, yet nutrient-packed food. One average sized cucumber (300 grams) only has 45 calories, and 96% of it is water!

Promotes Regular Bowel Movements

Dehydration is one of the reasons for constipation. When there is less fluid in the gastrointestinal tract, passage of stool can be difficult. Besides being uncomfortable, constipation leads to less removal of waste/toxins from your body and increases your risk of hemorrhoid formation.

Aside from its high water content, cucumber also contains the soluble fiber pectin which is found to increase the movement of intestinal muscles so that there is improvement in the frequency of bowel movements.

Additionally, since pectin is a soluble fiber, it turns into a gel (when combined with water) inside your digestive tract. It moistens intestinal contents and aids in the smooth passage of your stool. We also discussed in a previous newsletter how soluble fiber feeds the microbes in your gut: It is a prebiotic and it promotes gut health (aka overall health).

Detoxifies the Body

I mentioned above that cucumber is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that help remove toxins or oxidizing agents in the body called free radicals.These free radicals damage your cells, contributing to aging, symptoms, and/or health conditions. 

Drinking cucumber water is a great way to boost your hydration and support your body to flush toxins. 

I hope that this information is helpful to you and supports you in your journey to live a long, healthy life!

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!

Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!

~Rebecca

P.S.
Know someone who could use my help?
Send them the link to apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).