Why, how you can enjoy your cucumber to get all the healthy benefits
JOY ANYIM
Cucumber, scientifically known as cucumis sativus, is fruit to some and a vegetable to others. Their existence dates back as 10,000 years ago when it was first discovered in India. Since then, it has become widely cultivated in different parts of the world.
Cucumber is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits. There are three main varieties of cucumbers: slicing, pickling and seedless. They are in abundance all year long.
Botanically speaking, cucumbers are classified as Pepo, it has high beneficial nutrients as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants.
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Best enjoyed fresh, cucumber is made up of 95 percent water. It is also low in calories. In this part of the world, it is also relatively cheap.
Some of the health benefits of cucumber include:
- Cucumber is high in nutrients. Carbohydrate, dietary fibre, healthy fat, protein, vitamins, minerals and water are also present in cucumber. To maximize the nutrients, cucumbers should be eaten unpeeled. Peeling them reduces the amount of fiber, as well as certain vitamins and minerals.
- It contains antioxidants: Antioxidants are molecules that block oxidation, a chemical reaction that forms highly reactive atoms with unpaired electrons known as free radicals.
The accumulation of those harmful free radicals can lead to several types of chronic illnesses. In fact, stress caused by free radicals are associated with cancer, heart, lung and anti-immune diseases. Fruits and vegetables as cucumber are rich in beneficial antioxidants that reduce the risk of these conditions.
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- It promotes hydration. Water is crucial to your body function. Water aids temperature regulation and transportation of waste products. Proper hydration affects everything from physical performance to metabolism. Cucumber is over 95 percent water.
- It aids weight loss. Cucumbers are low in calories, meaning you can eat as much as you want and you are sure of not adding extra weight.
- It may lower blood sugar and prevent some complications of diabetes.
- It promotes regularity in blood movement, stool consistency and prevents constipation. Cucumbers contain fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements.
- Cucumbers are easy to add to our diet. It could be enjoyed fresh, as salad to sandwich. It is rich in vitamins C, A, folic acid
- Skin care is another area the cucumber helps. Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid are the two vital compounds in cucumbers that helpprevent water loss from the body. The extract of cucumber is often used for the treatment of various types of skin ailments like sun burn eczema, acne and under eye swelling.
- It controls blood pressure. Enough water is needed to regulate the blood pressure. Cucumber has plenty of water to add to our water intake daily.
- It aids digestion and prevents kidney stone. It contributes to the proper structure of connective tissues in our body, including those in the muscles bones, ligaments, cartilage and tendons.
To enjoy your cucumber, you can cut in different sizes and shapes. It can be sliced, diced or or cut into sticks.
On how to preserve cucumbers, store in a refrigerator to retain freshness for a long time. If the entire fruit is not finished in one serve, put the remaining in a tight container. It is better to finish it in about two days.
