Cucumber belongs to the same family of plants as zucchini, squash and watermelon – the gourd family. Like watermelon, cucumbers are 95% water, which means eating them on a hot summer day will help keep your body hydrated. What else is useful for this vegetable?
Cucumber contains an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin, which plays an important role in brain health. In addition to improving memory and protecting nerve cells from age-related changes, fisetin was found to prevent progressive memory impairment in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.
Cucumbers help to reduce the inflammatory response of the body. Animal studies show that cucumber extract reduced unwanted inflammation, in particular by inhibiting the activity of inflammatory enzymes (including cyclooxygenase 2).
A slice of cucumber on the palate of your mouth can get rid of odor-causing bacteria. According to the principles of Ayurveda, the consumption of cucumber promotes the release of excess heat in the stomach, which is one of the causes of bad breath.
Cucumber contains a vitamin B complex, including vitamins B1, B5 and B7. B vitamins are known to help reduce feelings of anxiety and stop some of the effects of stress.
Cucumbers are very low in calories (1 cup of cucumbers contains only 16 calories). The soluble fiber in cucumber turns into a gel-like mass in the intestines, thereby slowing down the digestion process. This allows you not to feel hungry for a long time, because food rich in fiber contributes to weight control.