Advantages of Cucumber for the Health of Your Body and Skin
Cucumbers are often served as fresh vegetables, pickles, or garnishes on a plate of fried rice or other dishes. Even though it is often mistaken for a vegetable, cucumber actually has seeds in it, so it is included as a fruit.
Because it has a high water content, cucumber tastes refreshing. In addition, this one fruit also contains many nutrients, so it can be beneficial for health.
So, what are the benefits of cucumber for the body? Let’s find out the full answer through the following review.
1. Nutritious
The benefits of eating cucumber can also increase the body’s daily nutritional intake. Food Composition Data, 100 grams of cucumber contains:
- Water: 97.9 grams
- Energy: 8 calories
- Protein: 0.2 grams
- Fat: 0.2 grams
- Carbs: 1.4 grams
- Fiber: 0.3 grams
- Calcium: 29 mg
- Phosphorus: 95 mg
- Iron: 0.8 mg
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Potassium: 57.1 mg
- Beta-Carotene: 18 mcg
- Vitamin B1: 0.01 mg
- Vitamin B2: 0.02 mg
- Vitamin C: 1 mg
2. Prevent Dehydration
Dehydration is a condition where more fluid leaves the body than enters it. This can be caused by a lack of fluid intake.
Even though fluid is an important element that can help body cells to work well. Therefore, it is recommended to drink 2 liters of water every day.
Luckily, cucumber is a fruit with a high water content, which is around 97 percent. That way, the benefits of cucumber can increase fluid intake in the body.
3. High in antioxidants
The benefits of cucumber for health can actually help ward off free radicals. The reason is, that cucumber has a high antioxidant effect, so it can block free radicals that cause chronic diseases, such as heart disease, lung disease, and cancer.
Cucumbers have been proven to contain flavonoids and tannins, two antioxidant compounds that can fight free radicals in the body.
4. Prevents constipation
The benefits of eating cucumber can also prevent constipation. You see, there is less space in the stomach for foods high in salt and fat which can slow down the digestive system.
In addition, increasing fluids in the body due to eating cucumbers can also prevent you from experiencing constipation or constipation.
It doesn’t stop there, the fiber content in cucumber will also help maintain the function of the digestive tract, so that feces can pass easily.
5. Contains Low Glycemic Index
Basically, the carbohydrate, sugar and calorie content of cucumber is very low. This fruit is high in fiber and water. On the contrary, the glycemic index level in cucumbers is quite low. This is certainly beneficial for diabetes sufferers.
By eating cucumber, it can make you feel full longer and not increase blood sugar spikes after eating.
6. Strengthens Bones
The benefits of cucumber juice can help improve bone health. This fruit contains vitamin K which can reduce the risk of bone fractures and increase healthy bone mass.
The combination of vitamin K and calcium in cucumbers can also prevent osteoporosis.
7. Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Apart from having an antioxidant effect, it turns out that cucumber also has an anti-inflammatory effect which is good for health.
The reason is, that inflammation is a response of the immune system that can trigger a number of certain health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, depression, and cancer.
8. Overcoming skin irritation
Interestingly, cucumber can provide a cooling sensation, especially if applied directly to the skin. This can certainly soothe irritated skin and reduce swelling.
This calming effect can also help relieve pain caused by exposure to sunlight that burns the skin.
9. Improves Skin Health
Apart from dealing with irritated skin, cucumber is also a fruit that is often added to skincare products. The reason is, this fruit has many benefits for beauty.
You can also get the benefits of cucumber for beauty by making it yourself at home. For example, by smoothing and straining cucumbers to be used as a toner or mask that can clean facial pores.
10. Reduces Puffy Eyes
It is common knowledge that cucumber is often used to treat swollen eyes.
To get the benefits of this one, you only need to put the eastern slices to the eye area. Then, let it sit for 10 minutes. This one method can make the eyes more relaxed and reduce swelling in the eye area.
11. Maintains heart health
Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, the potassium content in cucumbers can help lower blood pressure by reducing the effects of sodium.
In fact, cucumber can also fight the accumulation of fat on the artery walls, so it can reduce cholesterol. This of course can help maintain heart health.
In addition, cucumber also contains fiber. According to the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, high-fiber foods can lower the risk of heart disease.
12. Protects the body from cancer
The benefits of raw cucumber can help protect the body from cancer. Cucumbers contain high amounts of Cucurbitacin B (CuB). This natural plant compound can help protect the body from cancer.
CuB is thought to help stop the growth of liver, breast, lung, and prostate cancers, and possibly destroy cancer cells.
Not only that, eating cucumber with the skin can also help reduce constipation and protect the body from colon cancer.
13. Gives a Cold Effect
Delivered by Dr. Reza Fahlevi, cucumber has a hydrating effect that can be felt by the skin. Of course, this can make the skin healthier.
“Cucumber is recommended for oily skin owners. This fruit has a cooling effect so it has the power to hydrate the skin,”.
14. Prevents bad breath
Apparently, there are other benefits of cucumber which is often used as a garnish or side dish.
The phytochemicals in cucumbers can destroy bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Therefore, eating cucumber can help prevent bad breath.
15. Reduces hair loss
Drinking cucumber juice regularly can reduce hair loss. This benefit is obtained thanks to the silicon, sulfur, sodium, phosphorus and calcium content in cucumbers.
These nutrients have a role in supporting healthy hair growth.
16. Detoxifies the Body
The high water content in cucumbers can play a role in cleansing the body of toxins so that waste products in the body can be excreted properly.
This has been proven through research conducted by the Fitotherapy Journal. In this study, cucumber had a cleansing effect in the body, by removing waste and chemical toxins in the body.
17. Supports baby growth and development
The content of folic acid in cucumber can actually play an important role in supporting the growth of the baby. This one nutrient can help strengthen nerve tissue and joints.
Not surprisingly, many parents choose to add cucumber to the MPASI menu. Adding cucumber to your diet turns out to be very beneficial. Apart from being easy to get and affordable, cucumber also has a good impact on the body. In fact, you can also use cucumber as a natural mask for your skin.