Cucumber fruits are power-packed with nutrients, antioxidants, plant flavonoids, vitamins, and other micronutrients like beta carotene, manganese, and molybdenum. The fruit originated from India and offered many benefits like revitalizing skin, keeping bones and muscles healthy, and preventing diabetes and cancer.
Cucumber water is quick and easy to make. It gives a nice flavor to enjoying the water. And has cooling, rejuvenating, and hydrating properties.
Cucumber Water Benefits
Cucumber water has many health benefits like lowering blood pressure, weight loss, maintaining skin health, etc. It is one of the best alternatives for sugary vitamin waters.
Let us understand in detail the benefits offered by cucumber water.
Packed with Nutrients
Cucumber is full of nutrients and provides a refreshing and health-boosting drink [1]. It is full of:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A (beta-carotene)
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Phosphorous
- Iron
- Folate
Keeps You Hydrated
Many studies, doctors, and medical professionals say your body needs at least 6-8 glasses of water per day. And cucumber water contains 95% of pure H2O.
A glass of cucumber water can give you higher energy, improved digestion, and better brain function.
It helps with weight loss. It can help in losing calories from your diet. Sometimes your body may give you signs that you are hungry. You may feel that you are hungry instead of thirsty.
Whenever you feel hungry, have a glass of cucumber water and see if you are thirsty or hungry. When adequately hydrated, you feel full and can avoid unnecessary snacking.
Rich in Antioxidants
Cucumber is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are elements that can help prevent cell damage from oxidative stress that is caused by free radicals. And oxidative stress can result in many chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, eye degeneration, and Alzheimer’s.
Drinking the water daily can help in reversing this damage.
Helps in Preventing Cancer
Research studies show that cucumbers may help in fighting cancer. Cucumber has antioxidants, compounds, and nutrients like cucurbitacins and lignans, which can help in protecting us from cancer [2].
Lowers your Blood Pressure
Cucumber is rich in potassium. Drinking cucumber water daily can help your body get the required potassium level. It creates a better balance between sodium and potassium in the body, further lowering your blood pressure.
Promotes Healthy Skin
Cucumber keeps your body hydrated, which helps to flush out all toxins and elements from the body and gives you a healthy complexion. Staying hydrated is the key to beautiful skin.
Cucumber is rich in vitamin B5 and pantothenic, which help with acne. One cup of cut cucumber has 5% of recommended daily intake of vitamin B5. It also contains silica and antioxidants that help to keep your skin clear and prevent breakouts.
Boosts Bone Health
Cucumber is a good source of vitamin K. One cup of diced cucumber has 19% [3] of the recommended daily value. Vitamin K helps to form proteins needed for healthy bones and tissues. It can also help your blood clot properly.
Is Good for Your Muscles
Cucumber contains silica which helps your body to keep connective tissues healthy.
Cucumber Water is Economical
Including cucumber in your daily diet is quite cost-effective. It is grown all around the world. You can even grow them in your house.
Natural Diuretic
Cucumber is a natural diuretic that can help you with puffiness and swelling both topically and internally.
Many salons keep cucumber on your eyes during their face procedures
You can eat cucumber as a snack if you have trouble with fluid retention in your legs.
How to Make Cucumber Water?
Making the water is easy and quick.
Ingredients Required: Water – 8 cups, Cucumbers – Sliced, Salt – ½ tsp
Recipe
- Take cucumber and salt in a large jar/pitcher.
- Add water to the pitcher and mix well.
- Cover the jar and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Serve the water with ice.
- You can add a new flavor daily to keep it more exciting, like lemon, lime, oranges, mint, basil, melon, pineapple, etc.
Note: Do not keep cucumber in the water for more than 12 hours. And consume the water within 3 days.
Cucumber Water for Weight Loss
A sliced cucumber (300 g) contains only 45 calories, while cucumber water has zero calories. The water is a tasty and healthy replacement for surgery drinks [6].
Sometimes your brain gets confused with your thirst for food. In this case, you can have a glass of cucumber water to see if you are thirsty or hungry.
Drinking the water daily will keep you hydrated, make you full, and refrains you from unwanted snacking.
You can add flavors of your choice, like lime or lemon, to make it tastier.
How Long Does Cucumber Water Last?
Cucumbers can be kept in water for only up to 12 hours. After that, the cucumbers soften, and the water’s taste also changes.
You can consume cucumber water within 3 days.
Cucumber Water Vs. Lemon Water
Both cucumber and lemon water are tasty, refreshing drinks and offer many health benefits.
Lemon Water is rich in antioxidants and vitamin-c that boost your immune system. And the flavonoids present in the citrus fruit protect your liver [4].
It promotes healthy digestion and can naturally freshen your breath. It is also good for your skin and can help to reduce extra weight [5].
Cucumber, on the other hand, is a good source of antioxidants. It is rich in Vitamin K, creating proteins for building strong bones and blood clotting. It also contains other micronutrients and minerals that help lower your blood pressure and prevent conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Bottom Line
Cucumber water is a healthy drink that contains many nutrients and minerals. It offers many health benefits. And is one of the best sources to keep you hydrated. It rejuvenates your skin, supports your heart, lowers your blood pressure, helps with weight loss, and strengthens your bone health.
The water is easy to prepare and can fit any diet type. And most importantly, it is tasty, and you can enjoy it anytime.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Adhami, V. M., Lall, R. K., & Mukhtar, H. (2012, April). Abstract 612: Fisetin, a dietary flavonoid and novel mTOR inhibitor for treatment and prevention of prostate cancer. Cancer Research, 72(8_Supplement), 612–612. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-612
- Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211
- Mukherjee, P. K., Nema, N. K., Maity, N., & Sarkar, B. K. (2013). Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber. Fitoterapia, 84, 227–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2012.10.003
- Chakraborty, S., & Rayalu, S. (2021, October 6). Health Beneficial Effects of Cucumber. Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96053
- Aydin, M., Derici, M. Ç., Keskek, S. O., Demir, Y. I., & Yeler, D. (2019). Instant and freshness effect of mouth rinses on type 1 (oral) halitosis. Efecto anti-halitosis instantáneo y efecto de frescura de los enjuagues bucales sobre la halitosis (oral) tipo I. Acta odontologica latinoamericana : AOL, 32(2), 79–87.
- FoodData Central. (n.d.-d). Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168409/nutrients
