‘Cool as a cucumber’ often means a person who is relaxed, laid back and un-phased by the stresses of life. Wouldn’t that be a good place to be?
If only the constant bombardment and attack of daily life was as water off a duck’s back.
Maybe the cool cucumber could actually play that role after all.
Check it out
(1) In Vivo Antioxidant Properties of Lotus Root and Cucumber: A Pilot Comparative Study in Aged Subjects. PUBMED https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26193861
(2) Protective role of three vegetable peels in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in male mice. PUBMED https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20614191
(3) Evaluation of the Effects of Cucumis sativus Seed Extracts on Serum Lipids in Adult Hyperlipidemic Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. PUBMED https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27886382
(4) Protective mechanisms of Cucumis sativus in diabetes-related models of oxidative stress and carbonyl stress. PUBMED https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27340622
(5) Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber. PUBMED https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23098877/
(6) Nutritional Bioactive Compounds and Health Benefits of Fresh and Processed Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344270982_Nutritional_Bioactive_Compounds_and_Health_Benefits_of_Fresh_and_Processed_Cucumber_Cucumis_Sativus_L
Cucumber Health Benefits
Weight Management
Cucumbers are recognized for their high water content and low-calorie count, making them a potentially beneficial food for weight management. A study published in Fitoterapia highlighted the various health benefits of cucumbers, including their potential for aiding in weight loss due to their high water content and low-calorie levels.
Another comprehensive resource, IntechOpen, also emphasized that cucumbers, containing 96% water and only 15.5 calories per 100 grams, can support weight loss efforts. Their high water and low-calorie content can help in reducing weight, possibly due to the feeling of fullness they provide, which may reduce overall calorie intake. (5)
Moreover, cucumbers have been found to contain a variety of nutrients and bioactive compounds. ResearchGate’s review of the nutritional and medicinal benefits of cucumbers revealed that in addition to their high water content, they contain small amounts of protein, lipids, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. These components contribute to the overall health benefits of cucumbers, including weight management, by promoting hydration and possibly influencing satiety. (6)
These studies suggest that incorporating cucumbers into a balanced diet could be a helpful strategy for weight management, primarily due to their high water content, low calorie count, and nutritional profile.
Anti-aging
One study showed that cucumber has antiaging, antioxidant effects. Hemolysis (blood cell death) was significantly reduced in both groups and the DNA injury rate of blood cells also declined significantly after using cucumber. (1)
Blood protection
Polyphenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid contents of cucumber peel appear to be associated with observed anti-diabetic and anti-oxidative potentials. In one 15 day study alterations in serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, liver fat oxidation were studied. The peel extract nearly reversed most of the negative changes. (2)
Cholesterol
The consumption of Cucumber seed extract with a daily dose of 500 mg results in desirable effects on serum lipid profile in adult high cholesterol patients. Therefore, cucumber seed could be considered as a food supplement for the treatment of dyslipidemia. (3)
Diabetes
Another study concluded that Cucumber has protective effects in diabetes complications and can be considered a safe and suitable candidate for decreasing the oxidative stress that is typically observed in diabetes mellitus. (4)
Conclusion
Anti-aging, blood protection, cholesterol and blood sugar lowering all sounds pretty cool. Many of the antioxidant benefits are found in the cucumber skin, so it’s better to chop the cucumber into your salad with the skin on.
Try these recipes:
