7 Benefits of Cucumber Water: Stay Hydrated and Healthy
- Fitness by Eddy
- May 25, 2018
- 3 min read
1. It keeps you hydrated.
Your body can’t function properly without water. Most people should aim to drink six to eight glasses of water per day, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. We know we’re supposed to drink water throughout the day, but sometimes plain water gets boring. Adding cucumber gives it some extra flavor, encouraging you to drink more.
2. It helps with weight loss.
If you’re trying to lose weight, replacing sugary sodas, sports drinks, and juices with cucumber water can help you cut some serious calories from your diet.
What Is Detox Water?
Detox water is water that has been infused with the flavors of fresh fruits, vegetables or herbs. It's sometimes referred to as fruit-infused water or fruit-flavored water.
How to Make Detox Water
Making detox water at home is very simple. All you need is water and a selection of fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Simply chop up your ingredients and add them to hot or cold water, depending on your preference. The more of an ingredient you use, the stronger the flavor will become.
If you're making a cold drink, you can leave the detox water in the fridge for 1–12 hours to allow the flavors to infuse more deeply. Be sure to remove the ingredients after this time though, so they don't begin to decompose.
Here are some popular detox water recipe combinations:
Cucumber and mint.
Lemon and ginger.
Blackberry and orange.
Lemon and cayenne pepper.
Watermelon and mint.
Grapefruit and rosemary.
Orange and lemon.
Lemon and lime.
Strawberry and basil.
Apple and cinnamon.
3. It delivers antioxidants.
Antioxidants are substances that help prevent and delay cell damage from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress can lead to chronic conditions like
cancer
diabetes
heart disease
Alzheimer’s
eye degeneration
Cucumbers fall into this category. They’re rich in:
vitamin C
beta carotene
manganese
molybdenum
several flavonoid antioxidants
4. It may help prevent cancer.
Some early research suggests that cucumbers may help in the fight against cancer. Along with antioxidants, cucumbers also have compounds called cucurbitacins and a group of nutrients called lignans, which may have a role in protecting us from cancer.
5. It lowers your blood pressure.
One contributing factor to high blood pressure is having too much salt (sodium) and too little potassium in your diet. The excess salt causes your body to hold fluids, which raises blood pressure. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of sodium retained by the kidneys.
Cucumbers are a good source of potassium. Drinking cucumber water helps your body get more potassium, potentially helping to lower your blood pressure.
6. It supports healthy skin.
Cucumber water can help soothe your skin from the inside out. Staying hydrated helps your body to flush out toxins and maintain a healthy complexion. Cucumbers are also high in pantothenic acid or vitamin B-5, which has been used to treat acne. One cup of sliced cucumbers has about 5 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin B-5.
7. It boosts bone health.
Cucumbers are high in vitamin K. In fact, one cup of sliced cucumbers has about 19 percent of the recommended daily value. Your body needs vitamin K to help form proteins that are needed to make healthy bones and tissues as well as to help your blood clot properly. What better way to get this vitamin than through refreshing cucumber water?
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