Cucumbers aren't just for salads anymore, and lemons aren't just for lemonade. This power combo has many benefits including hydration, weight loss, lowering blood pressure, as well as keeping bones, skin, and muscles healthy.
Cucumbers are full of antioxidants, particularly in their skin. These compounds help your body process and remove free radicals, which lowers your risk of health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Cucumber is also rich in the mineral potassium.
Heart Health
Cucumbers are good for your ticker when you include them with a well-balanced diet. Their antioxidant activity helps slow or stop heart-related disease.
Eating cucumbers can help muscle contractions and cardiac functions because of their high level of potassium. The fiber in cucumbers also helps prevent arterial blockages as it reduces cholesterol build-up in the arteries.
“Eating just one cucumber a day can be great! It mostly contains water. So, even if you were to eat more than one, it won't cause any harm. In fact, it will keep you full and help you avoid reaching out for any junk food,” said nutritionist Manisha Chopra.
It is usually not necessary to peel a cucumber or remove the seeds if you plan to eat it raw. If the cucumber skin has been waxed (to make it look shiny) or if you plan to cook the cucumber, remove the skin with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Some large cucumbers have hard seeds.
Pooled analysis suggested that ginger supplementation can reduced systolic BP (MD: -6.36 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [-11.27, -1.46]; I2 = 89.8%; P = . 011) and diastolic BP (MD: -2.12 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [-3.92, -0.31]; I2 = 73.4%; P = . 002).
Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, which also plays a role in lowering blood pressure.
Excessive intake of cucumbers may trigger Hyperkalemia, which is a rare medical condition caused due to the presence of high potassium content in the body. Excessive intake of potassium rich cucumber may lead to flatulence, abdominal cramps and in some cases it can affect the renal system and kidneys.
Fruits like cucumber and watermelon improve digestion if taken in the right way. If water is consumed after taking these fruits, it can upset your digestion. This is because water containing food smoothens the digestion process and makes the bowel movement easy.
Cucumber is said to be a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. However, many people are not aware of when and how to eat cucumber. It is said that cucumbers should always be eaten during the day. Eating cucumber in the afternoon gives maximum benefit.
What causes high blood pressure? High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure.
Some of the best teas for high blood pressure include chamomile, lavender, rose, and hibiscus. These teas are known for their ability to lower blood pressure and improve heart health. You can enjoy any of these teas by steeping them in hot water for a few minutes. Then, simply drink and relax.
Honey has been linked to beneficial effects on heart health, including reduced blood pressure and blood fat levels.
Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy can help manage blood pressure. On the other hand, eating a lot of red meat, fried foods, salt, and added sugars can contribute to high blood pressure.
Salt certainly plays a role. But there is far more to a blood pressure–friendly diet than minimizing salt intake. Fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, beans, nuts, whole-grain carbohydrates, and unsaturated fats also have healthful effects on blood pressure.
The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.
Carrots are rich in phenolic compounds which are found to reduce inflammation and relax blood vessels. A study with over 2,000 people found that eating raw carrots helped to lower the group's blood pressure levels.
It contains an ingredient called cucurbitacin, which is a powerful ingredient, known to cause indigestion problems. Even a little growling or indigestion can lead to flatulence or burping, which again makes it difficult to rest with ease.
Cucumbers also contain pectin and sterols, both of which have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels. Besides, the soluble fiber in cucumbers may help get rid of excess cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup. This may help lower the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.