Cucumber: Natures Goodness In A Gourd.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a member of the cucurbitaceae and is an important vegetable crop  Cucumbers are long, cylindrical green fruits that contain about 95% water and are for this reason often recommended as natural diuretics and helpful for body building.
Globally, cucumber is considered a very important crop, however, in tropical Africa its place has not been ranked because of its limited use Cucumbers are classified as accessory fruits but are however perceived, prepared and eaten as vegetables. Cucumber is an annual deep-rooted crop with tendrils and hairy leaves.

BENEFITS

1) Hydration
The electrolytes in cucumbers can help prevent dehydration.

Cucumbers consist mostly of water, and they also contain important electrolytes. They can help prevent dehydration in hot weather or after a workout.

2) Bone health

Vitamin K helps with blood clotting, and it may support bone health.
Cucumber also contains 19.9 milligrams (mg) of calcium. Adults need 1,000–1,200 mg of calcium a day, depending on sex and age.
Vitamin K helps improve calcium absorption. Together, these nutrients can contribute to good bone health.
Vitamin D is also important for bone health.

3) Cancer
Cucumbers contain high levels of bitter-tasting nutrients known as cucurbitacin. Cucurbitacins may help prevent cancer by stopping cancer cells from reproducing.

4) Cardiovascular health

The American Heart Association (AHA) note that fiber can help manage cholesterol and prevent related cardiovascular problems.
The cucurbitacins in cucumber may also help prevent atherosclerosis.

5) Diabetes
Cucumbers may play a role in controlling and preventing diabetes. It contains substances that may help lower blood sugar or stop blood glucose from rising too high.

6. Inflammation
Cucumbers may have anti-inflammatory benefits. Inflammation is a function of the immune system.
Experts believe inflammation may help trigger the development of various health conditions, such as:

cardiovascular disease

diabetes

autoimmune conditions

depression

cancer

7. Skin care

Some research has suggested that cucumber’s nutrients may provide benefits for skin health.
Applying sliced cucumber directly to the skin can help cool and soothe the skin and reduce swelling and irritation. It can alleviate sunburn. Placed on the eyes, they can help decrease morning puffiness.
Other cucumber beauty tips include:
Toner: Blend and sieve cucumber to collect the juice for a natural toner. Leave on the skin for 30 minutes, then rinse. Cucumber may have astringent properties, and it may help clear the pores.

8. Improves bowel movement

One of the major benefits of regular consumption of cucumber is that it helps support regular bowel movements. Rich in water and soluble fibre content, cucumbers help improve stool consistency, prevent constipation, and help maintain regularity. It could also help increase bowel movement frequency while feeding the beneficial bacteria of the gut [9] .

9. Eliminates toxins

Cucumbers are rich in water, making it a natural remedy to deal with dehydration or tiredness. Likewise, this nutritional property of cucumber makes it beneficial in getting rid of unwanted toxins present in your body

10. Manage weight-loss

Cucumbers have become a necessary fruit to add to your weight loss diet plan. However, consuming cucumber helps as it does not promote any weight gain and limits you from snacking on junk foods.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The cucumber is a common ingredient of salads, being valued mainly for its crisp texture and juiciness

Medicinal

The leaf juice is emetic, it is used to treat dyspepsia in children[
The fruit is depurative, diuretic, emollient, purgative and resolvent

The fresh fruit is used internally in the treatment of blemished skin, heat rash etc, whilst it is used externally as a poultice for burns, sores etc and also as a cosmetic for softening the skin

The seed is cooling, diuretic, tonic and vermifuge 25 - 50 grams of the thoroughly ground seeds (including the seed coat) is a standard dose as a vermifuge and usually needs to be followed by a purgative to expel  worms from the body

A decoction of the root is diuretic

NUTRITIONAL VALUE
100 gramsof cucumber

Calories  16

Energy, 0.5 g

Dietary fibre, 0.11 g

 Fat, 0.65 g

Protein, 0,027 mg

 Thiamine, 0.033 mg

Riboflavin, 0.098 mg

Niacin, 0.259 mg

Pantothenic acid, 0.04 mg

Vitamin B6, 0.079 mg

Carbohydrates 3.63g

Sugars 1.67g

Water 95.23g

 Fluoride 1.3 mcg

 Folate 7 mcg

 Vitamin C 2.8 mg

 Vitamin K 16.4 mcg

Calcium 16 mg

 Magnesium 13 mg

Phosphorus 24 mg

 Potassium 147 mg

 Sodium 2 mg





Disclaimer
This article is For education only, consult a healthcare practitioner for any health problems

References
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cucumis+sativus
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/as/article/view/160921/150480
https://grillheataid.com/blogs/news/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-cucumber-researched-by-grill-heat-aid
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283006#nutrition
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0367326X12002791
href="https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/cucumber">cucumber</a>