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Cucumber water has many potential health benefits, including hydration, weight loss, lowering blood pressure, and skin health. It is easy to make and is an excellent substitute for popular, sugary vitamin waters.
Cucumber water is a cheap, quick, and flavourful way to drink and enjoy water. Cucumbers contain a range of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that might help prevent a variety of conditions, including cancer and diabetes, as well as keeping bones, skin, and muscles healthy
Benefits of cucumber water
The following are some benefits of cucumber water:
Hydration
Staying hydrated is vital for overall health.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the human body needs enough water to function properly and maintain overall health.
Females need to drink 2.2 liters (9 cups), and males require 3 liters (13 cups) of water each day.
A person’s fluid needs may increase when sweating a lot, exercising, or losing fluids due to illness or hot temperatures.
Drinking cucumber water counts towards a person’s daily intake of water, and the cucumber adds extra flavour to entertain the taste buds.
Weight loss
Sugary sodas, juices, and sports drinks are high in calories and sugar. Cucumber water, on the other hand, has almost zero calories. It allows a person to enjoy flavored drinks without added empty calories.
Furthermore, some people may confuse thirst for hunger and end up snacking or overeating when all they need is a glass of water. When feeling hungry, drink a glass of cucumber water first, to see whether the hunger pangs go away.
Being properly hydrated can also help a person feel full, saving them from unnecessary snacking.
Antioxidants
Cucumbers contain antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage.
Oxidative damage can lead to all kinds of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Antioxidants help to prevent and delay cell damage from oxidative stress.
Cucumbers are high in antioxidants and other nutrients. By adding them to water, they make a glass of water more nutritious and antioxidant-rich.
Cucumbers are rich in the following antioxidants: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin K
Blood pressure
A diet high in sodium and low in potassium can lead to high blood pressure, so including potassium in the diet might help lower blood pressure.
Cucumbers are an excellent source of potassium, making cucumber water a good way to add more potassium to the body, create a better sodium-potassium balance, and, potentially, lower blood pressure.
Cancer prevention
Cucumbers are rich in flavonoids that might help to fight cancer. According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Cancer Research, the dietary flavonoid fisetin found in cucumbers may be able to slow the progression of prostate cancer.
Muscle health
Potassium is key to muscle energy and can help with muscle recovery. Cucumber is a good source of potassium, making cucumber water a good choice for an active person and people with sore muscles.
Healthy skin
Proper hydration can help the body to flush out toxins and keep the skin healthy. Cucumbers are also rich in vitamin B, which can help with acne and other skin problems.
Bone health
Cucumbers contain high levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential to help the body form proteins to make healthy bones and tissues. It can increase bone strength, decrease fractures, and benefit those with osteoporosis.
How to make cucumber water
Adding lemon slices can make cucumber water more palatable.
Try this cucumber water recipe:
Ingredients
8 cups water
2 cucumbers, sliced thin
½ tsp sea salt
Directions
add the sliced cucumbers and the salt to a large pitcher or jar
pour in the water and stir well
cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight
keep the water refrigerated
serve it with or without ice
drink it within 3 days
Making cucumber water more flavourful
Try adding any of the following ingredients to cucumber water to make it even more flavorful while keeping the same benefits:
lemons
limes
oranges
sprigs of mint
basil leaves
melon
a stalk of lemongrass
ginger
fresh raspberries or other berries
pineapple
Takeaway
Cucumber water is a very hydrating drink. It has many potential health benefits, including weight loss, lowering blood pressure, helping bone health, and improving skin health.
It is simple to make, and people can enjoy it at any time.
Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D. (Medical News Today)
