Originally published July 20 2005
Cucumbers full of health benefits
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Some of the many health benefits of cucumbers include their high water content (about 95 percent), their fiber-rich skin and their levels of potassium and manganese, which help regulate blood pressure and help promote nutrient functions, respectively.
What is the right vegetable for decorating dishes with a touch of green and complement the dish with a pleasing taste of juicy crunchiness?
Eating cucumbers is an easy way to increase our water consumption.
Under the crunchy thin skin, the pale green flesh contains about 95% water.
One cup of diced cubes supplies about 90ml of pure water.
Moreover, the dietary fibres regulate cholesterol level and support bowel regularity.
Potassium promotes flexibility in muscles and regulates blood pressure.
Together with its natural water, cucumber is the vegetable for sportsmen doing regular intensive exercise.
The manganese in cucumber promotes functions of nutrients, especially those of thiamine, ascorbic acid and choline to improve their absorption.
Young people who often feel nauseous and have poor appetite, and those with skin rashes or suffer from loss of hair colour could have manganese deficiency.
Including cucumber juice in their diet is a healthful tip.
Sulphite is a preservative commonly added to dried foods, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, pickles and wine.
Some salad bars may use it to maintain freshness of their salads.
These foods may contain the preservatives nitrate and nitrite, which can lead to the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compound residues.
The combination of ascorbic acid and caffeic acid contributes to cucumber's cool and soothing properties.
Its magnesium content relaxes nerves and muscles and keeps blood circulating smoothly.
The thin cucumber skin is rich in fibre and contains a variety of beneficial minerals especially silica, potassium and magnesium.
Do not peel off the skin; serve cucumbers with the skin intact.
Curbing bitterness A common problem found in cucumber is bitterness.
Cucumbers are scientifically known as Cucumis sativus, which belongs to the same family as pumpkin, zucchini, watermelon and squash.
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