We all like to have cucumbers as they provide enormous nutrition. Is cucumber water good for you? Have you ever made cucumber water out of cucumbers? Before going for it some crucial factors need to be understood.
Cucumbers are a less expensive and readily available fruit often mistaken as a veggie. They are frequently encountered in spa sessions and other health treatments. The health benefits are not limited. Let’s look at some potential benefits of cucumber water in detail.
1. Is Cucumber Water Good for You?
Cucumber water is a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Each of the cucumber’s vitamins has its role and function in our body. Numerous health benefits are listed below.
1.1 Hydration
For the human body water is inevitable. Water influences complex cell reactions and other functionalities. On average, a male requires 3 litres and a female 2.2 litres of water per day. If you can’t drink normal water frequently, then you can substitute it with cucumber water. The flavorful cucumber water can encourage you to drink water more and can also relieve your thirst. Human health can be sustained only through proper hydration.
1.2 Weight Loss
Cucumber water is a calorie-free beverage whereas sugary drinks are full of calories. Sugary sodas and sports drinks will aid in weight gain. Cucumber water is the perfect choice for a person following a weight loss diet.
People sometimes mistake thirst and hunger for the same. Thus choose frequent snacking instead of drinking. Snacking will add up your calorie intake. So Whenever you feel hungry try to have a glass of cucumber water. It quenches your thirst and you won’t feel hungry anymore. Thus you can avoid unnecessary snacking. Drink cucumber water to reduce belly fat and lose weight.
1.3 Antioxidants
Antioxidants are elements that can remove toxic free radicals in the body. Cucumbers consist of antioxidants like calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B, and vitamin K. These antioxidants can act as a shield from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
1.4 Cancer Prevention
Cucumbers have special compounds called cucurbitacins which play a role in cancer prevention. The group of nutrients called lignans are also good for cancer prevention.
Cancer research says that dietary flavonoid antioxidants like fisetin in cucumber can delimit the cancer cell progression in the case of prostate cancer. Effects on prostate cancer are explained with pieces of evidence.
1.5 Muscle Health
The element potassium maintains muscle tissues. It helps in attaining muscle energy. When you are fatigued or have sore muscles a glass of fresh cucumber water can revive your lost energy.
1.6 Bone Health
The vitamin K present in cucumber water generates a protein that can build bone tissues. People suffering from osteoporosis can benefit from cucumber water. They can help in regenerating new tissues after old ones are worn out.
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. If your body lacks this vitamin then your cut will bleed for a long time and platelets will fail to seal the wound properly.
1.7 Healthy Skin
In spas sliced cucumbers are kept on the eyes and skin. These sliced cucumbers can reduce inflammation.
Cold cucumbers absorb excess water from cells around the eyes. Staying hydrated is a secret tip for improving skin health. Cucumber water has pantothenic acid which controls breakouts on the skin and keeps the skin healthy.
1.8 Hair Growth
Drinking cucumber water can cause hair fall reduction. Calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur content in cucumber water aids hair growth. Daily intake can benefit hair significantly.
1.9 Constipation
Drinking cucumber water benefits constipation. Cucumbers have a rich fibre content. Daily intake can relieve constipation.
1.10 Fights Intestinal Worms
The enzyme, erepsin present in cucumbers can kill tapeworms in the intestine.
1.11 Control Diabetes
We know insulin is produced by the pancreas. The hormones in cucumbers help in the insulin production of the pancreas.
1.12 Brain Health
The benefits of cucumber water on brain health lack evidence. But experiments in mice show that they can prevent brain cell damage thus fewer chances of memory loss and diseases like Alzheimer’s.
1.13 Blood Pressure
Blood pressure problems are most common nowadays. Cucumber water is rich in potassium and less in sodium. Excess salt results in high blood pressure levels. Excess sodium can hold body fluids thus blood pressure elevates. Potassium intake can balance the sodium kept by the kidneys. It also contributes to the electrolyte balance. Potassium can bring blood pressure back to normal.
1.14 Dental Health
The foul odour of the mouth is a result of bacterial action. Cucumbers can eliminate these odours with the help of phytochemicals. These phytochemicals reduce bacterial action and thus exterminate foul smell. Cucumbers have a positive impact on healthy gums and teeth.
1.15 Cure Hangover
Cucumber water can rejuvenate and eliminate toxins from the body. Replenish the lost nutrients in the body. It helps you stay hydrated and relieve alcohol-associated headaches..
1.16 Detox Drink
Drinking cucumber water can eliminate more toxins through urine. Cucumber water is one of the natural diuretics. The idea of including cucumber water in the category of detox drinks can’t be neglected. The human body detoxes itself to an extent after drinking cucumber water.
1.17 Diets
If you are a person who is following a strict diet then there will always be confusion on what drink to include in your diet. Don’t worry. Cucumber drinks can go with almost all diets like vegan, gluten-free, etc.
2. Cucumber Water Recipe
Preparation time: 5 Minutes
2.1 Ingredients
Cucumber – 1
Water – 1 jar
Salt – ½ tsp
2.2 Preparation
Take one medium cucumber and cut it into thin slices. You can peel the skin and remove the seeds if you want. Peels and seeds are edible and have their benefits. Put the sliced cucumbers into a glass jar and sprinkle salt over it. After mixing them add water and close the lid tight. Refrigerate the beverage for all night.
The refreshing cucumber water can be served with ice cubes. You can also add some fruits to garnish.
2.3 How to Add More Flavors?
Cucumber water can be made more palatable to taste buds. You can serve cucumber water with some additional ingredients like,
Lemon slices
Fresh mint leaves
Basil
Lemon grass
Ginger
Melon
Berries
3. Cucumbers
The creeping plant cucumber, scientifically Cucumis sativus is a member of the gourd family. South Asia is the origin of cucumbers. The fruit usually prefers cooler climates. The crop is suitable for terrace gardens also. Its leaves are hairy and have five lobes. It bears yellow unisexual flowers. The plant has soft tendrils or support. Cucumbers become bitter due to the fluctuations in watering. It is because the cucurbitacins from leaves and stems will eventually get transported to fruits. Cucumbers can be as big as two-foot size.
4. Selecting Cucumbers for Cucumber Infused Water
Always go for organic cucumbers. They must be safer to consume. Cucumber colors can vary. They may appear in different shades of green. Don’t allow your cucumbers to have wrinkles. Sellers often coat them with wax to retain their moisture. These waxes are edible but can disturb the natural texture of the fruit.
5. Types of Cucumber Water
Based on the type of water you choose to make infused drinks, they can be of different types. Filtered water, cold water, and normal water all can be made use of.
5.1 Sparkling Cucumber Water
Seltzer or sparkling water can be mixed with cucumbers. After cooling you can drink by mixing equal portions of infused drink and fresh seltzer. When guests are arriving home without prior notice you can try this recipe. Your guests will love it.
5.2 Sweet Cucumber Water
Cucumbers are not sweet by themselves. To make your drink extra sweet, add some naturally sweet berries, melons, or other fruits. After refrigerating it is ready to serve and the drink will have natural sugars. It will be nothing less than a healthy drink beneficial for weight loss.
6. Cucumber Water Versus Lemon Water
Lemon juice is also a great source of antioxidants like cucumber-infused water. Lemon water helps with skin health, blood pressure and many more. The vitamin C in lemon water can protect you from kidney stones. The gastrointestinal effects of lemon water are notable. People with upset stomachs can feel instant relief from it. The benefits of cucumber can be doubled by adding lemon slices. Cucumber lemon water has all the health benefits of both cucumber-infused water and lemon water.
7. Infused Waters
The tasty flavorful infused waters are made from vegetables and fruits even herbs are added for more health benefits. Everybody can try this mixture at home without much expense and time. These infused drinks can give a twist to your daily water consumption. Studies say When fruits and vegetables are put in water for hours, water can absorb their nutrients. The absorbed nutrients will be around 20% of the whole nutrient content in the fruit. It is believed that blending and mashing can cause more nutrients to be released. But this lacks scientific support.
Any kind of infused water can be made at home. All you require is a pitcher and add an adequate amount of fruits or vegetables of your choice. Then fill the pitcher with water and add a few ice cubes. Garnish with fresh mint or any other herb. Keep it in the fridge for an hour.
8. How Long Can You Keep Cucumber-Infused Water?
Infused waters should not be kept for too long. You can keep your cucumber water for a maximum of 3 days if refrigerated otherwise consume it within a day. Don’t forget to choose an airtight container to keep the drink. Leaving cucumber slices at room temperature for a long time is not advised as they can stale easily. Room temperature provides a favourable condition for bacterial growth.
9. Other Benefits
9.1 Stain Remover
Cucumbers can work as excellent stain removers. They are used to clean stains from walls and vessels. The chemical compounds present in cucumbers can make your pots and vessels more shiny. All you need is slices of cucumber.
9.2 Pest Control
Placing cucumber slices in the garden can keep slugs and pests away. The fragrance of cucumbers is made use of here.
9.3 Lubricant
Cucumbers can be used as a lubricant for noisy hinges.
10. Side Effects
Before preparing the cucumber water wash your hands because the bacteria on your hands can contaminate the health drink. Wash cucumbers and your container too.
If cucumber slices are left too long in the water, the water will taste bitter.
The chemical compound cucurbitacins can have toxic effects on sensitive people. Animals are easily poisoned by cucurbitacins.
Cucumbers also cause certain allergies in some people like oral allergies, breathing difficulty, and swelling.
There is no evidence for this argument but some people can have bloating, stomachaches, and diarrhea.
Final Thoughts
Cucumber water is a refreshing drink that anyone can afford. Besides their flavour, they have many benefits. Some of the many health benefits of cucumber water are hydration, healthy bones, muscle health, blood pressure, healthy skin, weight loss, and many more. Cucumber water has a simple recipe that anyone can follow. You can add any ingredients for more flavour. You can choose cucumber water over normal water to stay hydrated. They have some side effects too. Prefer freshly prepared cucumber water over other beverages with added sugar.
FAQs
How often should you drink cucumber-infused water?
You can simply substitute your daily water intake with cucumber water. Age, gender, and climate influence the daily water intake. You can have 2-3 litres per day.
How long can you keep cucumber in water without getting spoiled?
Maximum for 3 days if refrigerated otherwise consume within a few hours after preparation. Consuming spoiled cucumbers can turn health benefits into adverse effects.
How much cucumber water you can drink?
Drinking too much cucumber water doesn’t have any adverse effects. It can quench your thirst and can make you full at the same time.
Which one is better, cucumber water or lemon water?
Lemon water has its benefits. Vitamin C in lemon can prevent kidney stones. Mixing both can increase the nutritional value. So go with cucumber lemon water, a refreshing beverage.
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