Drinking cucumber water is a great way to cleanse the system and shed some extra pounds. It’s easy to make and tastes delicious plus, it’s full of nutrients.
Cleansing And Detoxing
A variety of “detoxification” diets, regiments, and therapies sometimes referred to as “detoxes,” “cleanses,” or “purges” have been recommended as ways to detoxify your body, lose weight or promote health.
Detoxification programs often involve fasting, drinking only juices or similar beverages, eating only certain foods, or taking supplements.
Some people believe that cleansing or detoxing the body helps rid it of harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, processed food, and environmental pollutants.
Others believe that cleansing or detoxing the body promotes good health. A cucumber cleanse involves using cucumber water to achieve a full ‘cleanse’ of the body.
Why Cucumber?
Cucumbers are one of the most versatile fruits out there. They’re great for salads, sandwiches, appetizers, soups, and even cocktails.
But most importantly cucumbers contain some pretty powerful health benefits?
Here are ten reasons why you should drink up and add cucumber into your daily cleansing routine.
1. It Helps Prevent Cancer
According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, people who eat lots of vegetables like cucumbers help reduce their risk of developing certain types of cancers.
In fact, eating just half a cup of raw cucumbers every day could lower your risk of colon cancer by 25%.
2. It Boosts Immunity
If you’ve ever had a cold, you probably already know how important it is to boost your immune system.
A study published in the journal Nutrition & Immunology found that drinking cucumber juice daily helped participants recover faster from a common flu virus.
Plus, the same study showed that those who drank cucumber juice regularly experienced fewer symptoms during recovery than those who didn’t.
3. It Fights Heart Disease
A 2013 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate about 2 cups of cucumbers each week lowered their risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and stroke.
Researchers believe that the fiber and antioxidants in cucumbers may help keep cholesterol levels down and improve circulation.
4. It Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation plays a big role in many chronic conditions including arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.
But according to a 2011 study published in the British Medical Journal, people who consumed cucumber juice regularly saw significant improvements in their inflammatory markers.
The researchers suggest that this effect may be due to the presence of quercetin, an antioxidant compound found in cucumbers.
5. Keeps You Hydrated
Cucumber is naturally high in water so including it in your everyday liquid consumption will keep you hydrated helping to avoid headaches and sluggishness.
6. Good For Muscles
Silica is a trace mineral found naturally in soil that helps keep bones strong and skin elastic. In addition, it keeps connective tissues flexible and prevents calcification of joints.
Silica is present in most fruits and vegetables, including cucumbers. But because cucumbers are low in sodium you can consume as much as you like.
7. Helps Bones
Cucumbers contain vitamin K, which helps transport bone calcium into the bloodstream.
This mineral is essential for healthy bones and teeth, and it’s especially important during childhood and adolescence.
Cucumbers also contain silicon and manganese, both of which can help strengthen your bones and potentially lower your risk of developing brittle bones later in life.
8. Great For The Skin
Cucumbers are high in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. They contain silica, which helps keep skin smooth and supple.
And those same cucumbers also contain pantothenic acid, which is great for preventing pimples.
The vitamin K found in cucumbers is good for keeping blood healthy and prevents bruising. This makes it ideal for anyone who gets nosebleeds.
9. Lowers Blood Pressure
Cucumbers contain potassium, an electrolyte found naturally in our bodies. Potassium plays a role in regulating blood pressure, helping keep it normal.
A cup of cucumber juice contains about 150 milligrams of potassium, enough to lower blood pressure.
10. Low In Calories
A whole cucumber contains just 45 calories. If you slice it up, though, you’ll find that each piece contains less than half that amount.
So, if you want to lose weight without feeling hungry, try adding slices of cucumber to your diet.
They’ll help keep you full while providing you with some healthy nutrients.
How To Make Cucumber Water
To make cucumber water at home, simply peel off the skin of a medium-sized cucumber (about 1/2 pound), then cut it into chunks.
Add the pieces to a blender with 3 cups of filtered water and blend until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove any remaining pulp.
Drink immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Is There Any Truth Behind Cucumber Cleanses?
There’s no doubt that cucumbers have a lot going for them.
Not only do they taste delicious, but they also provide plenty of nutrients and vitamins.
You can find all sorts of cucumber recipes on Pinterest, but here are three ways to incorporate cucumbers into your diet if you don’t fancy drinking cucumber water.
1. Use Cucumbers In Salad Dressings
You don’t have to limit yourself to plain old vinaigrette. Try adding chopped cucumbers to your favorite dressing recipe to add extra flavor and texture.
For example, try mixing equal parts olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard together before tossing with arugula and sliced cucumbers.
2. Include Cucumbers In Soup
Cucumbers go well with almost anything, so why not throw them into a soup?
Just chop up two or three cucumbers, toss them into a pot of chicken broth, and simmer for 20 minutes. Then strain out the cucumbers and enjoy!
3. Mix cucumbers Into Yogurt
Cucumbers are naturally low in fat, making them perfect for topping Greek yogurt.
Simply slice one cucumber lengthwise, sprinkle some salt over the slices, and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse the cucumbers, then top your bowl of yogurt with them.
Final Thoughts
Cucumbers for cleansing are definitely worth considering. They’re easy to prepare, nutritious, and versatile.
You can eat them in your diet or prepare an infused water to drink throughout the day. Ideal for giving your system a complete cleanse.