Plain water infused with slices of cucumbers might be a thing exclusive to spas in the past days but cucumber water is just as good as lemon water, if not better!
If you only eat cucumber when it is added in salads, it is time to try putting slices of cucumber in your water. Here are seven reasons why you should start drinking cucumber water
1. Excellent source of antioxidants
Just like lemons, cucumber, too, are rich in antioxidants that can help prevent and delay cell damage caused by oxidative stress from free radicals.
Some of the diseases caused by oxidative stress are cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. However, antioxidants can reverse the damage. Some of the antioxidants in cucumber are vitamin C, beta carotene, manganese, molybdenum, and flavonoid antioxidants.
2. Help prevent cancer
As it is rich in antioxidants that can help stop and reverse cell damage, cucumbers also make great help when it comes to preventing cancer as it contains compounds called cucurbitacins and lignans.
According to the Journal of Cancer Research, the dietary flavonoid fisetin which is commonly found in cucumbers can help slow cancer cells down from spreading in the body.
3. Lowers blood pressure
Cucumbers are also a good source of potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of sodium in the kidneys.
If your diet is low in potassium and high in sodium (salt), you will tend to retain fluids in your body, causing your blood pressure to increase.
Eating cucumbers can help you get more potassium and help you get rid of the excess salt and reduce water retention in the body.
4. Keeps you hydrated
Many people have trouble to drink more plain water as it lacks flavor. However, adding cucumbers can add more flavor to your water and make it taste refreshing.
Pair it with slices of lemon and a couple of mint leaves for extra flavors and antioxidants!
5. Helps with weight loss
It is easy to reach for sugary drinks like sodas and sports drinks but if you are trying to lose some weight, it may not be the best idea to consume sugary drinks.
Try cucumber water to hydrate yourself instead of drinking sugary drinks that are often high in calories. As one whole cucumber is only around 45 calories, adding a few slices in your water won’t hurt your diet and it is even better than sodas.
6. Gives you clear skin
Cucumbers have around 96 percent of water and adding slices of it in your water will certainly keep you hydrated for long and helps you flush out all toxins from the body.
It also contains pantothenic acid or vitamin B-5 which helps to reduce inflammation and acne.
7. Boost bone health
When it comes to bone health, many think of milk as the major source of calcium but our bones also need vitamin K to absorb calcium efficiently as well as preventing blood clots.
Just one cup of sliced cucumbers already gives you about 19 percent of vitamin K daily intake recommendation.
