If you have ever been to a spa or a resort, you will notice there is a jug of water infused with cucumber, lemon, or basil. These elements give it a fresh, soothing taste and relax you. It is delicious, refreshing, and easy to make. But did you know there are actual health benefits of drinking cucumber water?
Let’s find out the amazing benefits of cucumber water.
Helps You Lose Weight- Regular consumption of sodas, sugary drinks, or juices can cause weight gain without you realizing it. Replacing those calorie-heavy and sugar-loaded drinks with cucumber water can cut calories drastically from your diet and help you lose weight. Having elements like cucumber, basil, or lemon in your water can also help improve your hydration. Many people tend to confuse thirst with hunger and end up snacking or drinking sugary colas. If you feel like snacking or reaching for a soda, try drinking cucumber water instead. It will refresh you and satiate you in no time.
Lowers Your Blood Pressure- Having excess salt or little potassium in your regular diet can cause high blood pressure. The excess salt leads your body to hold fluids, retain water, and bloat which effectively causes an increase in your blood pressure. Potassium is necessary as an electrolyte to regulate the amount of sodium retained by the kidneys.
May Prevent Cancer- Cucumbers contain compounds called cucurbitacins and another type of nutrients called lignans which may prevent cancer. Studies have indicated that certain flavonoids found in cucumbers might help to slow the progression of particular type of cancers such as prostate cancer.
Improves Your Skin- There is a reason spas and salons offer cucumber infused water to their clients. It hydrates your skin from inside out and soothes it. It also helps you to flush out toxins and clear your complexion. Cucumbers are high in Vitamin B-5, which has been used to treat acne effectively. One cup of sliced cucumbers has about 5 per cent of recommended daily value of Vitamin B-5.
Supports Bone Health- Cucumbers are an amazing food for bones. They are high in Vitamin K. Your body needs Vitamin K to form proteins that are necessary for healthy bones and tissue maintenance. It also helps to form blood clots efficiently. A cup of sliced cucumbers has 19% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin K.
Contains Antioxidants- Antioxidants are substances that prevent and delay cell damage from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress causes chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and eye degeneration. Antioxidants can help in reversing or slowing these diseases. Eating fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants can improve your health immensely. Cucumbers are extremely rich in antioxidants and contain vitamin C, beta carotene, manganese, molybdenum, and several flavonoids.
Keeps you Hydrated- Most people should be drinking six to eight glasses of water per day. Our bodies can’t function properly without water. Adding cucumber to your water gives you a fresh taste, a motivation, and energizes you to drink more water.
Making cucumber water is extremely easy. All you need is a cucumber and a jar of water. Slice the cucumber in small, bite sized pieces and add them to the water. Store it in the fridge or at room temperature to let the flavors infuse. Drink after a couple of hours. You can add lemon, basil, or mint to create a mix of flavors if you wish.