Originated from India, cucumbers are health food worth eating, as
they dish out many health benefits and uses unknown to us. Classified
into three categories, they are:-
- Slicing: Slicing cucumbers or slices, are consumed fresh in their unripe green form. Grown commercially, slices are usually longer, smoother and possess a tougher skin.
- Pickling: Intended for pickling, they are pickled for flavor and for longer shelf life. Pickles tend to be shorter compared to slices and are soaked in brine or in vinegar combined with brine.
- Burpless: These are sweeter and almost seedless, commonly grown in green houses. Imagine, they can grow to a length of two feet!
- Hydrates the body - Being ninety-five percent water, they keep your body hydrated, whilst eliminating toxins.
- Ward off Cancer - Known to contain laricirasinol and pinoresinol, they can reduce the risks of breast cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer and including several types of cancer.
- Removes Halitosis - Having bad breath? No problem! Not when the phytochemicals can eliminate the bacteria in your mouth causing halitosis. Try placing slices on the palate of your mouth and press them with your tongue for awhile. Do it twice daily.
- Relieves Arthritis and Gout pain - Rich in vitamins A, B, C, Folate, magnesium, calcium and potassium, when cucumbers are mixed with carrot juice... Arthritis and Gout pain can be relieved as uric acid levels are lowered.
- Reduces cholesterol, Diabetes and controls Hypertension - Gulp down one glass of its juice daily in the evening, for it contains a hormone required by the pancreas to produce Insulin, that is beneficial to Diabetics. Sterols found in them can help reduce cholesterol. Want to control your high blood pressure naturally? Then, its juice can effectively lower your blood pressure!
- Hair and skin care - The skin of cucumber peels is good for treating sunburns and skin irritations. Its slices placed over puffy eyes, can visibly reduce puffiness. Whilst the silicon and sulphur present, will stimulate your hair to grow.
- Is your door hinge squeaking? Then stop it by rubbing slices on the hinge and notice the difference!
- That fog on your wall mirror is really annoying! Just when you need the mirror after a warm shower-- O No, the reflection is foggy! Don't panic, all you have to do is... rub slices of cucumber on your mirror! They prevent it from fogging up. Cool, isn't it?
How can we not love cucumbers, when they are such useful and healthy food? In a hot and humid weather, they quench our thirst and help to cool us down. O for a glass of refreshing Cucumber juice to replenish our health!
