Know the Many Benefits of Cucumber for Health – Fruits or vegetables certainly have many benefits contained that can make us healthy and think of a myriad of benefits that we rarely know about. Cucumber or cucumber is widely consumed and easily available. Cucumber is usually processed as pickles, used as fresh vegetables, used as a juice mixture, and so on. In addition to refreshing and easy to process, cucumber also brings many benefits to the overall health of the body through its nutritional content. Curious what are the benefits of cucumber for health? Read on, yes!
1. Low in calories and high in vitamins
Cucumbers are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. Reported by NutritionData, cucumbers only contain about 15 calories per 100 grams. There is also a high content of vitamins K, C, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
In addition, cucumbers also contain fiber, lignans, cucurbitasin and their derivatives, flavonoid compounds such as apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol, and the antioxidant beta-carotene.
You are advised to consume cucumbers with the skin to maximize the nutrients that enter the body. If the skin is peeled, the fiber, vitamin, and mineral content will be reduced.
2. Helps to hydrate the body
According to a 2016 study in the Journal of Aging Research & Clinical Practice, cucumbers have about 95 percent water content. With this abundant water content, cucumbers can help prevent dehydration in hot weather or after exercise. Not only water, cucumber also contains natural vitamins and minerals making it suitable as an alternative to sports drinks.
In addition, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2013 revealed that children who eat fruits and vegetables have a better hydration status. Consumption of fruits and vegetables can be a good way to achieve a balance of body fluids.
3. Contains antioxidant compounds
Antioxidants are compounds that can prevent or slow down the damage to body cells caused by free radicals. Free radicals that accumulate in large quantities in the body can cause a number of chronic diseases, therefore antioxidants are needed to neutralize the number of free radicals in the body.
Cucumbers contain various antioxidant compounds such as vitamin C, manganese, and beta-carotene. In addition, based on a study in the Journal of Young Pharmacists in 2010, cucumbers also contain flavonoid compounds and tannins that function as free radical scavengers.
A study in The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging in 2015 found that cucumber powder was able to increase antioxidant activity in the elderly after 30 days. It should be noted, this powdered cucumber extract may contain higher antioxidants than fresh cucumber because it is more concentrated.
4. Helping digestion
With a high water content, cucumber can help hydrate the body. A well-hydrated body can help regularize bowel movements (BAB) and prevent constipation. Constipation is a common problem with difficult bowel movements and less frequent bowel movements.
Low water consumption turned out to be a risk factor for constipation in adults and the elderly. By increasing fluid consumption, the risk of constipation can decrease. Well, cucumber consumption can be an alternative considering that cucumber is composed of 95 percent water.
In addition, cucumbers also contain fiber which can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. Dietary fiber can increase the weight and size of the stool and soften it, making it easier to pass stool. With its water and fiber content, cucumber is very good for digestion.
5. Contains the compound kukurbitasin
Citing reports in the journal Pharmacognosy Reviews in 2015 and the International Journal of Health Sciences in 2013, curcurbitacin is a secondary metabolite compound found in plants in the Cucurbitaceae family, including cucumbers. These compounds have various properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties.