10/05/2018
Drinking cucumber water may not seem like a surefire way to improve your health, but it delivers a number of surprising benefits and is very easy to prepare.
Quite simply, cucumber water is water that is infused with cucumbers, by immersing and soaking cucumber slices in a pitcher of water. While this may sound overly simple, many of the active ingredients of cucumber infuse in the water, boosting your overall nutrient intake. Drinking water is an important part of any healthy diet, so tweaking the recipe slightly to improve its impact is a wise choice.
Cucumbers are composed primarily of water, which is why this type of water is so popular in detox cleanses. This beverage possesses the earthy, refreshing flavor of cucumbers, as well as many other nutrients and active [1] ingredients. Drinking cucumber water will increase your vitamin C levels, as well as beta-carotene, manganese, molybdenum, and various other antioxidants, including cucurbitacin. Cucumbers also contain silica, which has a number of positive effects on the body. Most importantly, however, this is a delicious and unique twist on an average glass of water that will keep you coming back for more.
Benefits Of Cucumber Water
A few of the many benefits of cucumber water include skin care, weight loss, chronic disease, cardiovascular health, and bone density, among others.
Skin Care
There are a number of antioxidants and antioxidant vitamins found in [2] cucumbers that can help with skin health, as antioxidants are able to neutralize free radicals, which cuts down on oxidative stress, the force that can lead to wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, and loose skin as you age.
Weight Loss
Cucumber water is extremely good at filling you up. Water is naturally good at this because thirst is often mistaken for hunger. When you make cucumber water a larger part of your [3] diet, it will prevent some of the overeating and unnecessary snacking between meals that can de-rail any diet.
Heart Issues
Drinking cucumber water is an excellent way to increase your potassium levels, which is a vital electrolyte for overall health. Potassium also acts as a vasodilator to reduce [4] blood pressure and lower strain on the cardiovascular system, thus reducing your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes and coronary heart disease.
Bone Density
Although there aren’t many minerals in cucumber water, it does contain silica and manganese, among other trace elements. This can help to strengthen the bones and lower your risk [5] of osteoporosis as you age.
Cancer
Cucumbers contain a unique compound called [6] cucurbitacin, which acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. In recent years, this compound has been the subject of a great deal of research, and it has been found that drinking cucumber water can lower your risk of prostate cancer, among others.
Detoxifying
Drinking cucumber water means drinking a great deal of water, which can help to flush the body and increase [7] urination. This means the toxins in your body will be eliminated faster, reducing the strain on your metabolic system.
Muscle Strength
One of the unique components of cucumber water is silica, which is a mineral that is rarely discussed in relation to human health. However, it is a vital part of connective tissue in the body, and can, therefore, help muscle growth and tone.
How To Make Cucumber Water?
Making your own cucumber water at home is the preferred method for drinking this beverage, as it is inexpensive and very easy to prepare.
Step 1 – Clean and slice a cucumber (3-4 slices for a glass, or an entire cucumber for a pitcher).
Step 2 – Fill a pitcher/glass with cold water and add the cucumbers.
Step 3 – Add ice to keep the cucumbers submerged, ensuring that the nutrients are released into the water.
Step 4 – Allow the beverage to sit for at least 10-15 minutes before drinking.
Step 5 – Re-use the same cucumbers with additional water; discard cucumbers after 24 hours.
CUCUMBER JUICE
Vitamin K
Drinking cucumber juice helps you reach your recommended daily intake of vitamin K. This vitamin helps you build strong bone tissue and nourishes your kidneys. It also plays an important role in blood clotting -- it activates proteins that trigger blood coagulation, so that you can stop bleeding after suffering tissue damage. Consuming cucumber juice helps to fight the effects of vitamin K deficiency, which can include nosebleeds, bruising and bleeding gums.
Copper
Cucumber juice also provides a source of copper. Copper helps you make neurotransmitters, the family of chemicals your brain cells need to communicate. It helps you produce healthy red blood cells, strengthens your connective tissue and boosts your immune system. It protects you from free radical damage -- cellular damage that develops when you're exposed to environmental toxins or sunlight. The copper in cucumber juice also supports your active lifestyle, since your cells need copper to produce useable energy.
Calcium
Cucumber juice serves as a vegan-friendly source of calcium, an essential mineral. Hydroxyapatite, the mineral tissue that adds strength to your teeth and bones, contains calcium, and getting enough calcium helps retain your bone density. Your muscles also use calcium to contract, and your nervous system relies on small amounts of calcium to help transmit nerve impulses. Getting enough calcium also helps maintain your body's hormone balance, since calcium in your bloodstream helps control hormone release.
Considerations and Serving Tips
Cucumber juice has one major nutritional disadvantage compared to whole cucumber -- it does not contain dietary fiber, the indigestible carbohydrate found in intact cucumber. If you drink cucumber juice as part of your daily vegetable intake, make sure you also eat whole veggies to boost your fiber intake. Whole grains, legumes and nuts also contain fiber. You can also utilize the fiber from cucumber after juicing -- simply freeze the leftover pulp collected from your juicer, and use it to add fiber to pureed soups and sauces.
In addition to enjoying cucumber juice on its own, you can use the juice as a base for healthy smoothies -- try blending the juice with frozen melon balls and fresh mint, or with strawberries and basil, for a refreshing beverage.