by timrel

October 4, 2017

cucumber health benefits

Over the years, science and technology has allowed us to learn more about certain foods and why they are so good for us. Today, we want to talk about the cucumber because this vegetable is more than something to add to your salad. Instead, it has dozens of health benefits, lifehacks & beauty tips that can be used in everyday life.

Currently, cucumbers stand as the fourth most cultivated vegetable in the world and this is because it’s a superfood…and so much more. With this in mind, let’s head into it; are you ready to be surprised?

Watch this video to find out more..........

1: CUCUMBER FOR HAIR

 

​First and foremost, let’s start with an odd one but one you’ll probably start using after finishing our guide. Since cucumber juice contains silica and Sulphur in high quantities, it promotes hair growth so why not apply some juice and leave it in for up to 20 minutes?


After washing it out with a high-quality shampoo, you’ll soon notice the difference. In fact, you’ll actually find cucumber shampoos on the market these days.  Check out cucumber hair products here




cucumber for hair

2: CUCUMBER FOR HYDRATION

Since cucumber is made up of electrolytes and water, it’s perfect for the long summer months. With just a slice of cucumber in your glass of water, your hydration will be boosted even more.

CUCUMBER DRINK

3: ERASE PENS & CRAYSONS CUCUMBER 

Ok, not quite a health benefit but, as we said, cucumbers are more than just a healthy vegetable. By using the skin of a cucumber, many say you can wash crayons and pen from walls and paper.

PENS AND CRAYONS

4:  CUCUMBER SUN LOTION 

With cucumbers helping as an anti-inflammatory, you can combine the juice with coconut milk and Aloe Vera for a fantastic moisturizing spray. If you keep it in the fridge, this spray will moisturize your skin and make you feel great after a day in the sun.  You can purchase cucumber sun lotion

CUCUMBER SUN LOTION

5: CUCUMBER & DIGESTION

As you consume cucumber, all digestion issues should be reduced including acidity, heartburn, ulcers, and gastritis; this is due to the high fiber content.

CUCUMBER FOR DIGESTION

​

6: CUCUMBER FOR GLOWING SKIN

In truth, cucumber can help with a number of skin issues. When used as a natural toner, you can benefit from younger-looking skin and it can even remove oiliness to leave you glowing. If you have acne, add cucumber juice to your routine as a cleanser.   You can purchase cucumber skin products here

GLOWING SKIN

7: CUCUMBER FOR HANGOVERS

Wait…what? That’s right, cucumbers will rehydrate the body and replenish lost nutrients while also removing the toxins that are created after consuming high levels of alcohol. For your headache and hangover symptoms, these should be reduced thanks to the vitamin B, sugar, and electrolytes within the cucumber.

CUCUMBER FOR HANGOVERS

8: CUCUMBER FOR BADBREATH

Since bad breath comes from bacteria within the mouth, cucumbers boost the production of saliva thanks to its high content of water and fiber. By doing this, your mouth finds it easier to wash away bacteria thus removing your bad breath.

CUCUMBERS FOR BAD BREATH

9: CUCUMBER CAKE

Although it sounds strange, so did carrot cake and this took off so why not give cucumber cake a try today?

CUCUMBER CAKE

Best Cucumber Beauty Products

10: CUCUMBER TO REDUCE WRINKLES (& cELLULITE)

Of course, both are a natural side effect of getting older and every year we go off searching for magical products that slow this process down. By rubbing cucumber soap on the affected areas, you have one of the most basic tips of all; collagen will actually tighten thanks to the phytochemical within cucumber. By making your skin firmer, these two signs of ageing should reduce somewhat.

CUCUMBERS FOR WRINKLES

11: CUCUMBER FEET TREAT

After summer, our feet can be in a bad way but cucumbers can be used for a soothing exfoliation session. With a cucumber foot mask, blisters can heal, your feet feel rejuvenated, and dark skin can be lightened. With a simple search online, you’ll find plenty of recipes. Click here for the best cucumber feet treatment

CUCUCUMBER FEET TREATMENT

12: REDUCE SNACKS WITH CUCUMBERS

When on a diet, snacking is the biggest problem around and it prevents millions of people from making progress. With this in mind, choose cucumber rather than a pack of chocolate treats and your hunger will soon disappear. When paired with a salad dressing or hummus, the effect is even stronger.

CUCUMBER FOR SNACKS

13: CUCUMBER STRESS BUSTER

Containing vitamins B1, B5, and B7, cucumber has been found to alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety. By consuming cucumber, you just might find it easier to get through the day.

CUCUMBERS FOR STRESS

14: CUCUMBER FOR OILY SKIN

Although we covered this in another benefit, it deserves its own section because rubbing cucumber on your face can remove excess oil from your skin which prevents acne and creates a fresher appearance.  Check out the best cucumber skin treatments here

CUCUMBERS FOR OILY SKIN

15: CUCUMBER HELPS DIABETES

Considering cucumber contains a very important hormone, cucumber is a winner for all sufferers of diabetes. With this hormone, it aids the pancreas’ cells when producing insulin. Although not confirmed, early test-tube tests also reveal cucumber can lower blood sugar levels while also preventing other complications that arise with the condition.

CUCUMBER FOR DIABETES

16: CUCUMBER shines shoes

Before you click away with a smile on your face, this is absolutely true. With a little rub on the shoe from a cucumber, the chemicals inside will provide a fresh shine; not only will this look great for your job interview, it can repel water too.

cucumbers shines shoes

17: CUCUMBER soap

If you like chilled soups, cucumbers are a great way to add flavor while keeping the calorie count low because they contain large amounts of water.

cucumber soap

18: CUCUMBER for misty mirrors

We jump out the shower and can’t see our reflection in the mirror due to the condensation; trust us, you need to grab the cucumber. By rubbing one single slice over the mirror, you remove the fog and it also provides a nice relaxing fragrance in the bathroom.

cucumber foggy mirrors

19: CUCUMBER for antioxidants

Including both tannins and flavonoids, cucumbers are brilliant for antioxidant properties and this removes free radicals from your body and could decrease the risk of many diseases. With vitamins A, B, and C too, your immune system improves; with cucumber only providing around 10% of our required daily vitamin C count, try mixing it with other ingredients in a blender for best results.

ANTIOXIDANT and cucucmbers

20: CUCUMBER as a hair conditioner

Earlier, we saw cucumber as a shampoo but it can also be used as a conditioner because it removes frizz and makes your hair more manageable. With a small amount of juice, you can follow this with a dash of cold water and await the results.   You can buy ready made cucumber conditioners here.

cucumber as a HAIR CONDITIONER

21: CUCUMBER for eyes

Surprised it took us this long to reach this benefit? Of course, spas often use cucumbers to boost skin function, hydrate the skin (high water content and natural ascorbic acid), and slow the effects of ageing. If the cucumber has been kept in the fridge, this coolness can also reduce swelling and contract blood vessels.

For eye bags, you need two thick slices and they should rest on the eyes for up to 15 minutes for positive results.

cucumber for eyes

22: CUCUMBER fights inflammation

Although only tested in the laboratories so far, reports suggest cucumbers can calm the inflammatory response within the body. By preventing the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes, cucumber may also reduce inflammation in areas it shouldn't exist.

cucumbers fights inflammation

23: CUCUMBER bath

When combined with mint leaves and Epsom salt, cucumber can make for a superb bath ingredient in terms of benefiting the skin and offering a beautiful scent.  There are various cucumber bath products you can find here

cucumber bath

24: CUCUMBER for acne

Containing vitamins A, C, and E, this is coupled with various minerals (including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium) and amino acids to benefit the skin. With the astringent property of cucumber, acne should be cured and all redness should also be reduced. For people of all ages, acne can be a huge problem and this one ingredient, you probably already have one in the fridge, is a great solution.   Check out the best cucumber acne products here

acne cucumber

25: CUCUMBER helps constipation 

As we've seen already, cucumber is rich in fiber which aids digestion thus removing constipation. With the skin itself, this has most of the vitamin A so you should always try to eat everything together rather than peeling the vegetable.

constipation cucumber

26: CUCUMBER soothes heartburn

With many cooling properties, this is great for the skin but it’s also helpful for easing heartburn in a natural way.

cucumber for heartburn

27: CUCUMBER for bone health

For many years, increased risk of bone fracture has been linked with a vitamin K deficiency in the modern diet. With a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet, your vitamin K intake can increase and this allows calcium to be absorbed efficiently and, as we all know, calcium is the main mineral needed for bone strength.

cucumber for bone health

28: CUCUMBER as a toner

As an astringent, cucumber can cleanse the skin but the cooling properties also rejuvenate a dull complexion (especially one with excess oil). Using a cucumber, you can open your pores and use the vegetable as a natural toner. Overall, this should have an impact both in the short and long-term.

cucumber as a toner

29: CUCUMBER juice for skin

As you use the juice from cucumbers, your skin will feel moisturized and hydrated. As well as containing 95% water, the seeds in cucumbers contain high levels of vitamin E and potassium which reduce blemishes, wrinkles, and fine lines. As we saw previously, you can also place cucumber slices over your eyes as people have been doing in spas for many years.

cucumber juice for the skin

30: LIGHTEN YOUR skin WITH CUCUMBER

If you combine cucumber with lemon juice (three parts to one), you can apply the result on your face/neck and it acts as a natural bleach. As long as you leave it on for around 15 minutes, you can wash it off with cold water and regular use can lead to some impressive results.

31: IMPROVE KIDNEY HEALTH WITH CUCUMBERS

With a great combination of water and fiber, you can protect yourself from kidney stones. If you treat yourself to a simple glass of cucumber water once a day, this water and fiber will really help your kidneys to function as normal.

KIDNEY HEALTH WITH CUCUMBERS

Best Cucumber Beauty Products

32: CUCUMBERS FOR SQUEAKY HINGES

If you have a door that squeaks within your home (or any other hinge), many sources say a simple rub with a slice of cucumber will remove this squeak in no time.

CUCUMBERS FOR SQUEAKY HINGES

33: IMPROVED JOINTS WITH CUCUMBERS

Talking of hinges, consuming cucumber is also beneficial for our own hinges and joints. With cucumber containing silica, the connective tissues strengthen and this encourages joint health. Also boasting vitamins A, B1, B6, C, and D, this can be coupled with potassium, folate, magnesium, and calcium to keep the risk of gout and arthritis at bay (when mixed with carrot juice); this is achieved by reducing the levels of uric acid in the body.

CUCUMBER FOR JOINTS

34: CUCUMBERS IN WATER

So far, we’ve hinted at adding cucumber to water for the many benefits and this is why you get offered this refreshing beverage in high-quality spas. If you want to play around with the flavor (and health benefits), try adding lemons or mint; there are some fantastic recipes around.

cucumber in water

35: CUCUMBERS IN PICKLES

In under half hour, you can prepare a few jars of cucumber pickles and there are several brilliant tutorials on YouTube. Offering the same cool taste but this time with more of a crunch, you can eat them as a snack or cut them up for a sandwich and you won’t believe you haven't tried this technique previously.  You can buy ready made cucumber pickles here

cucumber pickles

36: CUCUMBERS FOR MAINTAINING WEIGHT

Cucumbers and Maintaining Weight - Since they’re both low in calories and filling, this is the perfect combination for maintaining weight. With soluble fiber aplenty in cucumber, this will break down into a gel within your gut which slows all digestion and keeps you feeling fuller throughout the day; this is why all fiber-heavy foods are important for maintaining weight.

WEIGHT LOSS WITH CUCUMBERS

37: CUCUMBERS AND BLOOD PRESSURE

​With high levels of fiber, potassium, and magnesium, these three regulate your blood pressure very well which means cucumbers can be utilized for both high and low blood pressure.

BLOOD PRESSURE FOR CUCUMBERS

38: CUCUMBERS & CHOLESTEROL

According to research, cholesterol levels can actually be reduced by a compound within cucumbers called ‘sterols’.

CUCUMBER FOR CHOLESTEROL

39: CUCUMBER SANDWICHES

Sure, we all like cucumber in a sandwich…but what about cucumber AS the sandwich. After cutting a cucumber in half, this can become your bread and you can choose your own filling from here.

CUCUMBER CLUB SANDWICH

40: CUCUMBERS & CANCER

Whenever the topic of cancer arises, we must always be careful but cucumbers do belong to the cucurbitaceae family of plants which makes them high in cucurbitacins. According to some research, they may have properties that prevent cancer cells from surviving in the body. Although there are no anti-cancer therapies or treatments that utilize this nutrient, there is still ongoing research regarding the topic that could prove promising in the near future.

cucumbers fight cancer

41: CUCUMBERS FOR REMOVING STAINS

Are your countertops always stained from the ingredients of meals gone by? If so, try using cucumber as a new stain remover and you might just be surprised. By rubbing a couple of slices on the countertop, the chemicals within the cucumber should make light work of most stains.

CUCUMBER FOR STAINS

42: CUCUMBER FOR STAINLESS STEEL

Considering most of us have stainless steel appliances, we know that it loses its shine after a few months and years. Rather than subjecting the appliance to harsh chemicals, you can use the superfood we’re discussing today; cucumber. With a thin slice, rub against the dull areas and this should bring back the shine and make the appliance look brand new.

CUCUMBER SHINES STAINLESS STEEL

43: CUCUMBERS FOR HEADACHES

Throughout the day, our body loses water and key nutrients through urine and sweat. To replenish this supply, cucumbers are one of the most efficient tools which makes them useful for headaches. By eating half a cucumber in some way before you go to bed, the water, electrolytes, and vitamins should get to work through the night and remove the headache by morning.

HEADACHES AND CUCUMBERS

44: REMOVE ANTS WITH CUCUMBERS

If you have trouble with ants at certain times of the year, peel a cucumber near the entrance points to your home and leave it there overnight.

CUCUMBER FOR ANTS

45: CUCUMBERS FOR CELLULITE

With a combination of fresh cucumber juice, grounded coffee beans, and honey, you can apply this mixture to any cellulite before then wrapping the area in a thin cotton cloth. After half hour, exfoliate the skin gently and smile at the results.  You can also buy pre-made cucumber cellulite mixes here

CELLULITE AND CUCUMBERS

46: CUCUMBERS AND FRECKLES

If you don’t like the freckles on your face, wipe your skin with cucumber juice and leave it for a while before washing it off with cold water. If you do this regularly enough, you can reduce the prominence of freckles.

CUCUMBER FOR FRECKLES

47: CUCUMBERS FOR ANTI-AGEING

If you want to tighten the skin, cucumber is the way to go and can reduce the effects of wrinkles, fine lines, and dull skin. Since it contains good amounts of potassium and manganese, it won’t be long before you see a difference after applying regularly.  You can purchase anti-aging cucumber gel here 

CUCUMBERS ANTI-AGING

48: CUCUMBERS NAILS

Sadly, brittle nails are a problem for many but cucumber and, more importantly, the silica inside, will make them come through stronger than ever before.

CUCUMBER FOR NAILS

49: CUCUMBERS & RECIPES

Sometimes, we get stuck in the habit of using cucumber in salads and nothing else so why not try pickled cucumbers, cucumber and mint sorbet, baked cucumber chips, cucumber goat cheese, Thai cucumber salad, cucumber-infused water, and more.

CUCUMBER RECIPES

50: CUCUMBERS PROTECT THE BRAIN

With fisetin, an anti-inflammatory flavonol, research suggests this can have a positive impact on the brain. As well as protecting the nerve cells from decline (as we age), fisetin can also improve our memory. In a recent test in mice, fisetin even prevented progressive learning and memory issues including those experienced with Alzheimer’s disease.

CUCUMBERS FOR BRAINS

51: CUCUMBERS AND LIPS

With cucumber treatment on your lips, they’ll soon feel moisturized and the complexion will also lighten somewhat.  Cucumber lip balm can be purchased here

CUCUMBERS FOR LIPS

52: CUCUMBERS TEA

Ok, perhaps not cucumber flavored tea because this would be a step too far but you can still enjoy a good tea with a cucumber sandwich.

CUCUMBER SANDWICHES

53: CUCUMBER SOAP

Since cucumbers have a plethora of benefits, and we’ve seen most of them now, why not make your own cucumber soap or look out for one in the shops? The most popular cucumber soaps can be found here

CUCUMBER SOAP

54: CUCUMBER ICE LOLLIES

When combined with lime and mint, this will become one of the most refreshing ice lollies you’ve ever tasted and the kids may enjoy them too.

CUCUMBER ICE LOLLIES

55: CUCUMBERS ENERGY BOOST

You know how it goes; we work hard all morning, have lunch, and then we lose energy by mid-afternoon. If you recognize this pattern, replace the coffee with a cucumber and you’ll notice the difference. With coffee, the energy boost is over within ten minutes and then you feel tired again. With a cucumber, the fast-acting carbs and B vitamins will get to work and provide a boost that’ll last for hours so you can get to work too.​

CUCUMBER ENERGY BOOST

56: SOUR CREAM & ONION CUCUMBER CRISPS

Not only are these crisps delicious, they’re also low in carbs and calories which makes them a great way to fill your stomach and prevent the need for snacks.

SOUR CREAM AND ONION CUCUMBER CRISPS

57: CUCUMBERS FOR INTESTINAL WORMS

With tapeworm and other conditions similar, treatment is tough but the cucumber is considered a natural remedy. With the enzyme erepsin found in cucumber, this is known to kill tapeworms.

INTESTINAL WORM

58: CUCUMBERS POSITIVE AROMA

Unfortunately, we don’t all have the time to visit the spa every day. However, you can create the aroma while carrying on with your day-to-day activities. In a pan, boil water before adding an entire cucumber. As the nutrients and chemicals release and react with the water, it creates a heavenly aroma that can reduce stress. If you have a home-based business, or perhaps you’re studying for an exam, this is a fantastic solution.

POSITIVE AROMA

59: CUCUMBERS AS A PAIN RELIEVER

With anti-inflammatory flavonoids, these work with the tannins and limit free radicals in their release which reduces pain around the body.

CUCUMBER FOR PAIN

60: CUCUMBERS AND THE RENAL SYSTEM

As a diuretic, cucumber can help to flush toxins from the body and it can also relieve pressure on the kidneys.

RENAL SYSTEM

Summary - As you can see, the health benefits of this superfood are almost endless so it seems almost criminal that we don’t have them in the fridge every week. Hands up if you’ve just added cucumbers to your next shopping list as cucumbers have an array of beauty uses, lifehacks & health benefits that now know.

About the author

timrel

I am passionate about health and wellbeing and have writing for over 10 years on the subject. I have a BSc Hons Degree and undertake vigorous research to help people improve their lives and live more a healthy and happy life.

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