HEALTHY FOOD · JULY 2018
THE GREATNESS OF CUCUMBERS
Originating in India , the cucumbers are a fruit most commonly used for salads and snacks . What people may not know , is that the fruit may be used for skin- , health- , and beauty-care because of its vitamins and minerals . For instance , it ’ s vitamins both C and K , betacarotene , and manganese can be used to help skin and hair .
CUCUMBERS FOR EATING
While cucumbers are commonly eaten throughout the globe , many are not fully aware of its benefits . Cucumbers are 95 % water , which makes them ideal for hydration and cooling . Cucumbers also contain fisetin which is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid that may be important to your brain ’ s health . Studies have suggested that increasing the consumption of plant foods like cucumbers decreases the risk of obesity , diabetes , and heart disease while promoting a healthy complexion , causing increased energy , and overall lower weight . Low intake of vitamin K has been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture . Adequate vitamin K consumption can be achieved by eating a proper intake of fruits and vegetables ( one cup of cucumber provides 11 percent of your daily needs ) and is essential for improving calcium absorption which is vital for optimal bone health . Cucumbers contain polyphenols called lignans , which can help to lower your risk of breast , uterine ovarian , and prostate cancers . Cucumbers are an excellent source of B vitamins . They are also low on calories but rich in fiber which makes them great for snacking on instead of junk food . Cucumbers are even great for dogs and cats !
CUCUMBERS FOR SKIN-CARE
Cucumbers can also help ease dark circles because of the aforementioned cooling properties along with the antioxidants and silica present in cucumber which can help rejuvenate the skin . It can also restore and even out your skin complexion , as well as being beneficial for firming and tightening skin . This is because of potassium and manganese which reside in cucumbers . The juice can relieve the oiliness of the skin and in turn , help rid your skin of blemishes and acne . The juice due to its substantial water content ( 95 %) can also moisturize your skin and could be natural replacement to creamers . It also contains antioxidants and resolves inflammation on the skin smoothly and it can help lighten the skin and relieve it from clogged pores and excessive oil . Cucumbers are also a natural bleaching agent which makes them useful for reducing scars and skin tan removal .
CUCUMBERS FOR HAIR
Because cucumbers are high in silica , sulfur , and vitamin A they can help keep healthy hair growth and leave you with a shiny , silky texture while preventing hair loss and hair thinning when the juice is applied directly to the scalp and hair . A suggestion from Livestrong . com is to “ Massage the scalp with oil extracted from cucumber seeds through the process of cold-pressing , which preserves the nutritious properties . Some hair thinning and loss can be due to dryness of the scalp , and the oil contains hydrating and restorative nutrients , such as tocopherols and phytosterols .”
HOW ADD CUCUMBERS TO YOUR DIET
Cucumbers can be delicious in salads , and sandwiches while being a great snack food .
By Sarah Roach
38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
HEALTHY FOOD · JULY 2018
O
THE GREATNESS
OF CUCUMBERS
riginating in India, the cucumbers are a fruit most commonly used for salads and snacks. What people may not know, is that the fruit
may be used for skin-, health-, and beauty-care because of its vitamins and minerals. For instance, it’s vitamins both C and K, beta-
carotene, and manganese can be used to help skin and hair.
CUCUMBERS
FOR EATING
While cucumbers are commonly
eaten throughout the globe,
many are not fully aware of
its benefits. Cucumbers are
95% water, which makes them
ideal for hydration and cooling.
Cucumbers also contain fisetin
which is an anti-inflammatory
flavonoid that may be important
to your brain’s health. Studies
have suggested that increasing
the consumption of plant foods
like cucumbers decreases the
risk of obesity, diabetes, and
heart disease while promoting
a healthy complexion, causing
increased energy, and overall
lower weight. Low intake of
vitamin K has been associated
with a higher risk for bone
fracture. Adequate vitamin K
consumption can be achieved
by eating a proper intake of
fruits and vegetables (one
cup of cucumber provides 11
percent of your daily needs)
and is essential for improving
calcium absorption which is
vital for optimal bone health.
Cucumbers contain polyphenols
called lignans, which can help to
lower your risk of breast, uterine
ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Cucumbers are an excellent
source of B vitamins. They are
also low on calories but rich in
fiber which makes them great
for snacking on instead of junk
food. Cucumbers are even great
for dogs and cats!
CUCUMBERS
FOR SKIN-CARE
Cucumbers can also help ease dark circles
because of the aforementioned cooling properties
along with the antioxidants and silica present
in cucumber which can help rejuvenate the
skin. It can also restore and even out your skin
complexion, as well as being beneficial for firming
and tightening skin. This is because of potassium
and manganese which reside in cucumbers. The
juice can relieve the oiliness of the skin and in
turn, help rid your skin of blemishes and acne.
The juice due to its substantial water content
(95%) can also moisturize your skin and could be
natural replacement to creamers. It also contains
antioxidants and resolves inflammation on the
skin smoothly and it can hel Y�[�H��[�[���[Y]�H]���H����Yܙ\�[�^�\��]�H�[���X�[X�\��\�H[��H�]\�[�XX�[��Y�[���X�XZ�\�[H\�Y�[�܈�YX�[����\��[����[�[��[[ݘ[���P�SP�T���ԈRT���X�]\�H�X�[X�\��\�HY�[��[X�K�[�\�[���][Z[�H^H�[�[�Y\X[HZ\�ܛ���[�X]�H[�H�]H�[�K�[�H^\�H�[B��]�[�[��Z\����[�Z\�[��[���[�B��ZX�H\�\YY\�X�H�H��[[�Z\��B��Y��\�[ۈ���H]�\��ۙ˘��H\��8�'X\��Y�B�H��[�]�[^�X�Y���H�X�[X�\���YY���Y�H���\��و��\�\��[����X��\�\��\�H�]�][�\���\�Y\ˈ��YB�Z\�[��[��[�����[��HYH��[�\�وH��[[�H�[�Z[��Y�][��[���\�ܘ]]�H�]�Y[���X�\����\���[��]��\��˸�'B���Q�P�SP�T��S�T�QU��X�[X�\���[��H[X�[�\�[��[Y�[���[��X�\��[H�Z[��HܙX]ۘX��������H�\�Z��X���PSHPQ�V�S�