The cucumber is the fourth most cultivated vegetable in the world. What most people don’t know is that aside from being a culinary staple, this vegetable is also one of nature’s most fascinating superfoods. Here are some of the amazing health benefits of cucumbers:

1. Hydrates and regulates temperature. Like watermelons, cucumbers are 95% water. Eating cucumbers keeps the body hydrated and also flushes out toxins. The skin on cucumbers also contain 10% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C.
2. Hair and skin medicine. Cucumber skin also relieves sunburn and mild skin irritations, similar to aloe vera. Research has also shown that cucumber stimulates hair growth. Putting cucumber slices around the eyes also helps reduce puffiness.
3. Lowers blood pressure. Studies have shown that eating cucumbers can lower blood pressure by up to 5.5 points in hypertensive individuals, when coupled with a diet of low starch and lean proteins. Cucumbers are high in potassium and magnesium, which help regulate blood pressure.
4. Fights cancer. Cucumber contains lariciresinol, pinoresinol and secoisolariciresinol, three lignans that can reduce the risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
5. Fights diabetes. Cucumber juice contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin, which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patients.
6. Aids digestion. The natural high levels of water and dietary fiber in cucumber flushes out toxins and aids digestion. Disorders of the digestive tract, such as heartburn, gastritis and even ulcers are significantly reduced by daily consumption of cucumber juice. Cucumbers can also be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation.
7. Inhibits inflammation. Fresh cucumbers have been shown to inhibit inflammatory substances, such as COX-2 and nitric oxide, while improving antioxidant levels in the body. The vegetable contains alkalizing elements, electrolytes and fluids that make it excellent in improving energy levels.
8. Promotes joint health. Cucumbers are found to contain high levels of silica, which help promote joint health by strengthening the body’s connective tissues. Cucumber juice, when mixed with carrot juice, can help relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering uric acid levels.

Sources used:

NaturalNews.com

GardeningChannel.com

EHealthzine.com

Science.NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com