If incorporated into a balanced diet, cucumber water helps to promote optimal health. It also takes no more than 15 minutes to make a big batch at home.
Health benefits of cucumber water
Cucumbers are nutritious superfoods that could help protect against certain ailments and health conditions. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that consuming cucumber-infused water regularly can provide the following health benefits.
- It provides essential nutrients. Cucumbers are a great source of potassium, fiber, magnesium and manganese, as well as vitamins A, C and K. Cucumbers also provide a number of plant chemicals, such as flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes, all of which have protective or disease preventive properties.
- It hydrates. The human body cannot function properly without water. On average, adults should drink nine to 13 cups of water per day, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Drinking cucumber water counts towards a person's daily intake of water. Its hint of flavor also encourages people to drink more.
- It detoxifies. The antioxidants in cucumber protect against cellular damage due to unstable molecules called free radicals. The antioxidant called beta-carotene, in particular, also aids in liver detoxification. For these reasons, cucumber water makes for an ideal detox drink.
- It regulates appetite. Low-calorie and fiber-rich foods like cucumber help curb hunger and promote weight loss. Drinking a glass of cucumber water hours before a meal can also protect against unwanted weight gain and discourage irregular eating patterns as a result of snacking in between meals.
- It boosts skin health. Cucumbers are a good source of a trace mineral called silica. It is involved in the creation of collagen, a building block of skin, hair and nails. On the outside, silica keeps the skin moisturized and free from acne, dark spots and other blemishes.
- It reduces blood pressure. Most processed foods are high in sodium but low in potassium, a combination that often leads to high blood pressure. Cucumbers are an excellent source of potassium. Therefore, drinking cucumber water can help counter the harmful effects of sodium on blood pressure.
- It aids in muscle recovery. Potassium is key to muscle energy, and it has also been found to aid in muscle recovery. Because cucumbers are rich in potassium, cucumber water makes for a good post-workout health drink. (Related: Cucumber extract found to improve exercise performance.)
- It has anti-cancer properties. – Cucumbers contain lignans and cucurbitacins, two plant compounds associated with anti-cancer benefits. In particular, recent studies show that lignans reduce the risk of estrogen-related cancers, while cucurbitacins inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells.
Cucumber water recipes
Cucumber water is simple enough to make at home. Being a versatile drink, it can also accommodate herbs and citrus fruits for added flavor and health-promoting nutrients. Here are three simple cucumber water recipes:
Cucumber water
This base recipe uses just cucumber and water. Prepare it the night before for a refreshing, low-calorie drink in the morning.
Ingredients:
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 pitcher of water
Preparation:
- Wash the cucumber under cold, running water before slicing it.
- Add the cucumber slices into a pitcher of water.
- Chill the pitcher for at least an hour.
- Stir before serving.
Lemon cucumber water
Lemons are immune-boosting superfoods that also aid in detoxification and digestion. Combined, lemon and cucumber-infused water make for a delicious and health-promoting drink.
Ingredients:
- 8 cups water
- 1 cucumber
- 1 lemon
- 1 handful of mint
Preparation:
- Slice the lemon and cucumber.
- Prepare water in a pitcher, then toss in the lemon and cucumber slices.
- Stir in a handful of fresh mint leaves.
- Chill the pitcher for at least an hour.
- Stir before serving.
Cucumber herb-infused water
Herbs like thyme and rosemary are excellent sources of antioxidants and plant compounds that have disease preventive properties. The mint also adds extra flavor and amplifies the drink's refreshing quality.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 lemon
- 1 handful of mint
- 1 handful of thyme
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- 1 pitcher of water
Preparation:
- Slice the lemon and cucumber.
- In a pitcher of water, add the mint, thyme and rosemary.
- Chill for at least an hour.
- Stir before serving.
Read more articles about the health benefits of cucumbers and other superfoods at Superfoods.news.
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