Beat the heat with Cucumber

It’s too hot today here in Chandigarh. Hot temperature outside effects our body emotions too. You might have often heard the phrase, ‘Cool as a cucumber’ used to refer to a person who is really cool 🙂  The vegetable also known as kheera or kakdi here in India is an excellent addition to your diet (by Dietician Lavleen) as it has more health benefits than one. Here are some of them.

1. Hydrates your body

Cucumber contains 95% water and eating them is a great way to keep yourself hydrated. Not getting enough water can cause several problems as water flushes out all the toxins in your body and being a Dietitian, I strongly recommend this.

2. Prevent hangovers

If the worst part about drinking alcohol for you is the early morning headache that usually accompanies it then there’s a way to avoid it. If you’ve been out on the town and want to avoid a hangover, just munch on quarter of cucumber before going to bed and you’ll more likely wake up refreshed.

3. Wonder for weight loss

Cucumbers are extremely low in calories and contain high amounts of dietary fiber. This makes cucumber a vegetable that will reduce your hunger pangs without giving you a lot of calories.

4. Reduces cholesterol

A cucumber contains zero cholesterol and if you are at risk of suffering from heart disease or have had heart related problems in the past, then you should definitely eat a cucumber a day. This is the power of Dietetics 🙂

5. Aids in digestion

To prevent many digestive problems like acidity, constipation, ulcer formation, etc have cucumber once a day.  The reason that  it has high amounts of water that helps flush out the toxins, dietary fiber that clears the food stuck in your colon and an enzyme called erepsin that helps in the absorption of protein.

6. Reduces bad breath

Putting a cucumber on the roof of your mouth for a few minutes will help kill all the bad-breath causing bacteria giving you a fresher breath. This does not mean you should stop brushing your teeth twice a day 🙂

7. Relief stress

Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, visit to the spa, or even a home facial? Cut up a whole cucumber and place it in a pot of boiling water. Trust me, the soothing effect you will get will be extraordinary. Love being a dietician 🙂 

8. Prevents cancer

Cucumbers contain a group of phytonutrients called lignans which have been linked to a lowered risk of cancer. Additionally, the many antioxidants along with Vitamin C, improves your immunity and reduces free radical damage which in turn helps prevent cancer.

9. Helps treat eye strain

Now shut down your gadget you are viewing this post on 🙂 , close your eyes,  lie down and put a piece of Cucumber. Feel the coolness.