Cucumber Water: Benefits You May Not Know
More and more people are interested in the benefits of cucumber water in terms of weight loss and general well-being. And although it is not a healing or super-beneficial drink, its regular consumption can help improve the quality of your diet.
Cucumber, as reported in this study published in the journal Fitoterapia , is a low-calorie food with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, which contributes to physical well-being. In addition, it is an adjuvant in weight loss, as it prolongs the sense of satiety. Do you want to prepare cucumber water at home?
Benefits of cucumber water
Regarding the benefits of consuming cucumber water, it is worth making some clarifications. First of all, these are not powerful effects, as they are limited to the scope of a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle habits. On the other hand, it is not a curative or therapeutic drink, as it does not relieve disease.
Simply, the combination of water and cucumber turns out to be a healthy alternative to ensure adequate hydration and an extra supply of essential nutrients. This consequently produces positive effects on both physical and mental health. What else is it useful for?
Hydrates the body
The organism, without water, cannot function properly. For this reason, the consumption of this vital liquid has always been recommended. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians , you should normally drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day.
However, this is an amount that can vary according to age, health status and individual habits. However, water consumption is essential and has important health benefits. However, since drinking only plain water can sometimes be boring, you can also opt for cucumber water.
Thanks to the delicate aroma of cucumber, this water is perfect for cooling off on hot days. It can also prove beneficial in rehydrating the body after exercise or any other activity that causes a loss of fluids. But the most important feature is that it contributes to the supply of extra vitamins and minerals.
Promotes general well-being
As anticipated, the benefits of this drink concern only general well-being and have no curative power on diseases. In fact, there is currently no concrete evidence to support this capability.
Therefore, although consumption is recommended in cases of some health problems, it cannot replace the drugs or therapies prescribed by the professional. In fact, before starting a prolonged consumption, it is preferable to consult your doctor to assess any risks of unwanted effects.
So why do many claim that cucumber water has any benefits? First, as this research published in the Journal of Young Pharmacists reports , cucumber contains flavonoids and tannins that can help inhibit the negative effects of free radicals. The latter are a risk factor for premature aging and chronic diseases.
On the other hand, a study published in the medical journal Nutrition Reviews shows that optimal water consumption is essential for numerous important processes that take place in the body. If you add to this the nutrients provided by the cucumber, we get additional benefits. In addition to counteracting dehydration, the consumption of this drink has the following benefits:
- It improves physical performance and fights fatigue.
- Increase cognitive performance.
- Strengthens gastrointestinal functions.
- Promotes kidney functions.
- Regulates the balance of water and mineral salts.
- Improve heart function.
- Prevents headaches caused by dehydration.
- Improve skin health.
- Reduces the risk of degenerative diseases.
The cucumber water is nutritious
Water is a fundamental element for our body. However, it is not in itself a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The recipes that we will propose to you shortly also contain other types of fruit to increase the amount of antioxidants and vitamins in your diet.
According to this article published in the journal Live Science , a bowl of cucumbers only provides 16 calories. In addition, it covers about 4% of the daily requirement of potassium, 3% of fiber and 4% of vitamin C. It also provides small amounts of vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin A.
How to make cucumber water
In most healthy adults, consuming cucumber water is beneficial and is a good alternative to staying hydrated. However, due to its mild diuretic effect, it may not be suitable for some people.
In case of illness or drug therapies, it is best to consult your doctor before including him in your regular diet. Having said that, let’s see how to prepare it.
Ingredients
- ½ glass of water (100 ml).
- ½ cucumber.
- The juice of 1 lemon.
- 3 mint leaves.
- 1 ice cube.
Preparation
- First, put all the ingredients in the blender, except the mint leaves.
- Then blend for a few minutes until you get a smooth drink.
- Finally, decorate with mint leaves and use up.
Additional recipes
There are several ways to add more flavor to this drink. For example, in addition to cucumber and lemon, you can add ginger, red fruits or pineapple. You can also make the drink with whole pieces instead of blending them.
A drink that promotes well-being
We can prepare cucumber water to enjoy a moisturizing drink, rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. However, it must still be remembered that this is not a healing or miraculous drink.
Therefore, its consumption will never alleviate any ailment or disease. It should be understood as an adjunct to a healthy lifestyle.
