9 health benefits of cucumbers

Cucumbers are made up of 95 percent water, making them an ideal hydrating and cooling food.

9 health benefits of cucumbers

1. Protect Your Brain — Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. 

2. Reduce Your Risk of Cancer — Cucumbers contain polyphenols called lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), which may help to lower your risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

3. Fight Inflammation — Cucumbers may help to "cool" the inflammatory response in your body.

4. Antioxidant Properties — Cucumbers contain numerous antioxidants, including the well-known vitamin C and beta-carotene. 

5. Manage Stress — Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.

6. Support Your Digestive Health — Cucumbers are rich in two of the most basic elements needed for healthy digestion: water and fiber. Adding cucumbers to your juice or salad can help you meet the ideal of amount of fiber your body needs.

7. Maintain a Healthy Weight — Cucumbers are very low in calories, yet they make a filling snack one cup of sliced cucumber contains just 16 calories.

The soluble fiber in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to slow down your digestion. This helps you to feel full longer and is one reason why fiber-rich foods may help with weight control.

8. Alkalizes Your Blood

Keeping your body’s pH level optimal can help eliminate free radical cells, which are acidic and cause symptoms associated with cancer. Drinking cucumber water on a daily basis can keep increase your body’s alkalinity.

9. Maintains Adequate Blood Pressure

The rich amount of magnesium, fiber and potassium makes cucumbers useful in maintaining the right blood pressure – which should not be too high or too low.