Benefits From Cucumber Water (Should You Drink It?)
Cucumber water is a great way to stay hydrated, and it has a refreshing taste. But the real question is, does cucumber water actually have significant benefits for your health? In the following article, we will talk about the best reasons to drink cucumber water and see if it’s actually worth going through the trouble of making it.
Great Alternative to Sweetened Beverages
By now, most people understand the devastating impacts sugar has on health. Not only does excessive sugar consumption cause inflammation and blood sugar spikes, but it also alters the composition of your gut microbiome, which can contribute to health problems like obesity and diabetes. If you drink sugary beverages daily, switching to an alternative like cucumber water will be hugely beneficial.
Low in Calories
If you are trying to lose weight, you must burn off more calories than you take in. An entire cucumber only contains about 30 calories because they are made up of 96% water. You can essentially drink as much cucumber water as you want without having to worry about the number of calories.
Reduces Appetite
Cucumbers are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber takes a long time to digest, which helps you feel full for a longer period of time. By drinking cucumber water throughout the day, you will be able to reduce any urge to binge eat because you won’t be as hungry.
Antioxidants
Cucumber water is filled with antioxidants. These antioxidants protect your body from free radicals that cause cell damage and contribute to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and more.
Lower Blood Sugar
Cucumber water is full of potassium, a mineral that affects insulin secretion in a way that brings down high blood sugar levels. When you have high blood sugar levels, your body will store carbohydrates and proteins as fat rather than burn them off as energy. Getting your blood sugar levels down to a healthy range (between 80mg/ml and 120mg/ml) is crucial for avoiding unwanted weight gain and also reducing the risk of diabetes.
Hydration
Many adults do not drink enough water and become chronically dehydrated without even realizing it. This has a significant impact on lipolysis, the body’s process of burning body fat for energy. If you aren’t getting enough water throughout the day, cucumber water is a great option for you because it’s an easy way to stay hydrated.
Kidney Cleanse
Cucumber water cleanses the kidneys by lowering the levels of uric acid in your body. Cucumbers also contain natural citrate, an antioxidant that is able to dissolve or prevent small kidney stones.
Skin Health
Within the peel of a cucumber is silica, a nutrient that slows down skin aging and the development of wrinkles by boosting collagen production.
Heart Health
The potassium in cucumber water helps the kidneys excrete excess sodium which leads to lower blood pressure. Potassium also eases tension in the walls of blood vessels, greatly benefiting heart health.
Anti-Cancer
Cucumbers contain a naturally occuring plant compound called Cucurbitacin B. This compound is shown to be effective at stopping cancer growth and destroying cancer cells to some extent.
Nutrients and Minerals
- Vitamin C – Helps the immune system function. Vital for the growth and repair of body tissue.
- Vitamin B – Helps the body convert food into energy (metabolism).
- Vitamin K – Regulates calcium levels, makes bones strong, and helps to make proteins needed for blood clotting.
- Phosphorous – Essential for the growth, maintenance, and repair of tissues and cells.
- Copper – Helps the body make red blood cells and keeps immune system healthy.
- Magnesium – Supports muscle and nerve function, as well as energy production.
- Manganese – Helps the body form connective tissue and bones. Regulates blood sugar.
- Potassium – Helps maintain normal levels of fluid in our cells.
Benefits From Cucumber Water? – The Conclusion
Cucumber water is a great beverage to drink daily because it helps with weightloss and general health in many ways. It’s the ultimate replacement for sugary soda or juices. If you are looking for an easy addition to your diet, cucumber water is a no-brainer. Furthermore, the benefits from cucumber water make it worthwile for basically anyone when you consider how easy it is to prepare.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make cucumber water?
For every 2 quarts of water, add 1 thinly sliced cucumber. Then refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours to let the cucumber infuse with the water.
How long does cucumber water last?
When kept refrigerated, the cucumber water can last for 2-3 days. After this period, the water may develop an off taste due to the cucumber starting to break down.
Can you add other fruits and vegetables to the cucumber water?
Yes, some of the most popular additions are lemon, lime, mint, ginger, and berries.
Should you peel the cucumbers before adding them to the water?
No, because the peel contains many of the nutrients that make cucumber water so beneficial.
Does cucumber water help weight loss?
Yes, cucumber water is helpful when trying to lose weight. The dietary fiber in cucumber can help you feel full throughout the day so that it will be easier to keep calorie count low. Burning off more calories than you consume is the key to weight loss.
Does cucumber water help with acne?
Yes, cucumber water contains vitamin B-5, a pantothenic acid that helps skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea. The hydration you get from drinking cucumber water also helps your body flush out toxins that cause acne.
Is Cucumber Water Bad for Your Teeth?
The pH level of cucumber water is about 8.0 which makes it an alkaline. Alkaline in this range does not wear away at enamel or cause cavities like acidic beverages do.
Alternative Drinks with health benefits?
Black coffee is great for weight loss and has many health benefits.
Scott Michael
Scott Michael uses his 5 years of professional experience as a health coach/nutritionist to create informative articles about how to lose weight effectively and make smart lifestyle decisions.