Perhaps you have always thought that cucumber mainly consists of water and doesn’t offer much in terms of nutritional value. That turns out not to be the case! Cucumber has more to offer than just being pickled or used as an eye mask. To shed some light on the matter: it is packed with healthy nutrients. It’s no wonder that this plant is a welcome guest in many traditional lifestyles. In Ayurveda, the classical Indian healing tradition, cucumber is used in various ways. In this article, we will explore the richness of cucumber, sharing some interesting facts, health benefits, and, of course, a recipe for cucumber juice.
Cucumber
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is officially classified as a fruit (not a vegetable) belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It shares its curly vines, beautiful flowers, and climbing nature with pumpkins, zucchinis, and watermelons. If you plant a cucumber seed in fertile soil near your hedge, you can pick cucumbers in autumn among the beech leaves.
Cucumber has been cultivated in West Asia for over 3000 years, with India boasting numerous varieties. In ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, people enjoyed cucumbers as well. The Roman emperor Tiberius was so fond of his daily fresh cucumber that they were grown in winter using mirrored stones to reflect sunlight. The Romans also used cucumber after scorpion bites. In the 17th century, eating raw vegetables fell out of fashion as it was considered dangerous, and cucumber was deemed “fit only for cows.” Some believe the name “Cucumber” might have originated from “cowcumber.”
Cucumber as an Ayurvedic Remedy
In Ayurveda, cucumber has been revered for its cooling qualities for millennia. The ancient Indian tradition emphasizes the importance of balance, particularly between heat and cold, and between wet and dry. In Sanskrit, cucumber is known as sushitalam, meaning “exceptionally cooling,” and in English, we have the saying “cool as a cucumber.” Therefore, cucumber is beneficial for any conditions related to excessive “heat” or warmth in the system, according to Ayurveda. So, don’t underestimate the value of a little cooling!
11 Health Benefits of Cucumber Juice
Modern science is also beginning to recognize the value of cucumber. The plant offers more nutrients than just a glass of water, as shown in this table for 50 grams or half a cup of cucumber:
- 7.8 calories
- 1.9 grams of carbohydrates
- 0.3 grams of protein
- 0.1 grams of fat
- 0.3 grams of fiber
- 8.5 micrograms of vitamin K (11% DV)
- 1.5 milligrams of vitamin C (2% DV)
- 6.8 milligrams of magnesium (2% DV)
- 76.4 milligrams of potassium (2% DV)
- Cucurbitacins
Indeed, cucumber is a healthy addition to your diet. According to a recent study [1], the green hero contains tannins and flavonoids. Our cucumber juice is also rich in vitamins and minerals. The substantial amount of vitamin C, for example, aids in protecting against free radicals, which are well-known culprits for causing damage to cells and tissues. Learn more about antioxidants here.
Cucurbitacins are compounds found in cucumbers (see the connection to the word cucumber?) and other gourd-like vegetables such as pumpkins.
1. Good for Beautiful Skin
This is a quality of cucumber we already know from the well-known image of the spa-goer with a towel on her head and green slices on her eyes. Cucumber is indeed an excellent remedy for reducing puffy eyes and under-eye bags. Its hydrating and cooling effect is the key [2]. Place a few slices of cucumber in the fridge for fifteen minutes, then let them work their magic on your eyes and face. You can also make a paste of cucumber, raw honey, and chamomile or lavender.
2. Supports Your Immune System
Our cucumber juice contains an ideal combination of nutrients to give your immune system extra support. A well-functioning immune system is essential, as we know, and cucumber juice can be a good ally in that regard. The ample amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and zinc in our cucumber juice contribute to a healthy immune system.
So, a daily glass of cucumber juice provides you with the right nutrients to maintain a good resistance.
3. Contributes to Brain Function
Drinking a glass of cucumber juice daily is also a beneficial addition to your mental well-being. The vitamins and minerals in this juice (including folate) are good for learning performance, concentration, and memory. They also support your mental resilience, balance in stressful situations, and a positive mood. Therefore, cucumber juice is the perfect drink to have during challenging times.
4. Against Sunburn
Cucumber has long been used as a remedy for sunburn. You can use it on your skin as slices, pulp (in a blender), or make a paste with yogurt and aloe vera, for example. You can also use the Ayurvedic remedy of cucumber milk: blend a medium-sized cucumber with half a cup of organic milk and half a cup of water [3]. The Western science now acknowledges the effectiveness of cucumber juice on the skin against sunburn [2].
5. Supports Digestion
Our refreshing cucumber juice can also be consumed to provide extra support for your metabolism and digestion. This is partly due to the high calcium content of this juice. This mineral plays a role in the activity of enzymes involved in metabolism. Moreover, calcium contributes to a healthy digestion. A large glass of cucumber juice is, therefore, an ideal drink to have alongside your meals.
Consider making a super stomach-soothing juice with cucumber, lemon juice, mint, celery, and apple, for instance. Or check out our juice “Hydrate,” a refreshing blend of cucumber, watermelon, and coconut water.
6. Good for the Bones
Calcium is essential not only for digestion but also for your bones. It is vital for bone composition and helps to keep your bones strong. Since your bones form the foundation of a strong and healthy body, it’s crucial to provide your skeleton with the right support daily. A glass of cucumber juice is great for that purpose!
7. A Healthy and Strong Heart
The adequate amount of vitamin B1 in our cucumber juice has a favorable impact on your heart. Thiamine (vitamin B1) contributes to the normal functioning of the heart. Additionally, vitamin C in this juice helps to keep your blood vessels strong and flexible. A fantastic combination, indeed!
8. Good for Muscles
Your muscles play a significant role in every movement you make, including your heart, which is also a muscle. For people who engage in sports, muscles are especially important. But even for aging healthily and staying fit, it’s essential to keep your muscles strong and flexible. Our cucumber juice can make a significant contribution to this aspect. This refreshing juice is rich in the mineral potassium, which is crucial for muscle function and helps to keep your muscles strong and supple.
9. Detox!
Ons komkommersap is niet voor niets onderdeel van onze 7-daagse detox kuur. Het hoge gehalte aan vitamines en mineralen in dit sapje is ideaal om jouw lichaam een gezonde kickstart te geven. Door het unieke profiel aan voedingsstoffen vult dit komkommersapje de andere sappen uit de detox kuur uitstekend aan. Meer over onze detox kuur lees je hier.
Our cucumber juice is an integral part of our 7-day detox program for a reason. The high content of vitamins and minerals in this juice is perfect for giving your body a healthy kickstart. With its unique profile of nutrients, this cucumber juice complements the other juices in the detox program excellently. Learn more about our detox program here.
10. Hydration and a Natural Sports Drink
As mentioned earlier, cucumber juice is a super hydrator. It has likely been used for a long time as a natural “electrolyte drink” that has saved many lives during times of drought, illness, dehydration, and excessive exertion. Nowadays, you have energy drinks and sodas, but wouldn’t you do your body more good with a juice made from cucumber and watermelon, for instance?
On a hot day, during illness, or after intense exercise and sweating, this is a superb way to hydrate your body and simultaneously take in the pure, clean water from these vegetables and fruits. Also, a blend of cucumber, mint, water, and lemon is wonderfully refreshing on a hot day, and you might be surprised by how good it tastes with a little sea salt.
11. Helps with Fatigue
Last but not least, cucumber juice is also an excellent drink to help reduce fatigue. Feeling tired during busy times? Then cucumber juice can be an excellent addition. Various vitamins and minerals in this drink (including vitamin C and B vitamins) help to reduce fatigue and make you feel energetic again.
Does cucumber have any health risks?
You might not think so, but cucumber is not always the healthiest snack in all circumstances and quantities. As mentioned above, the plant has many powerful properties, and some of them are not always convenient! For example, the high water content of cucumber can lead to frequent urination, which might be inconvenient during pregnancy or a conference.
Furthermore, cucumber can cause flatulence in some people. If your stomach is sensitive to cabbage, broccoli, and onions, you might want to handle cucumber with caution as well.
Cucurbitacins come in many varieties, and some can be harmful to the body. You will never encounter this risk when buying a cucumber in the store (or cucumber juice), but if you grow them yourself, be cautious: if a cucumber (or pumpkin or zucchini) tastes bitter, it’s better not to eat it!
The last, rather peculiar “risk” is that people with milk allergies may sometimes have a reaction to cucumber. This is not related to the cucumber itself but to the wax layer often applied to (including organic) cucumbers, which contains a component derived from milk.
Is cucumber juice healthy?
All in all, we believe that cucumber juice is undoubtedly healthy. The various vitamins and minerals it provides, along with its high water content, are all super important qualities that our bodies can benefit from. And let’s not forget those radiant, clear eyes after a cucumber mask, of course.
But don’t overdo it: you don’t need to eat three cucumbers a day, and during a flu, it’s best to take it easy with this green friend.
Cucumber Juice Recipe
Medical Medium Anthony Williams recommends a juice made from two whole cucumbers without any other ingredients. For this, take two organic cucumbers, chop them into smaller pieces (with the skin!) and run them through a (slow) juicer. You can also use a blender, but according to Williams, it’s essential to strain the fibers by passing the juice through a fine sieve or cheesecloth afterward.
If you find the above juice a bit too plain, here’s a more flavorful alternative for you.
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cucumber
– 3 celery stalks
– 1 lemon
– 2 sprigs of mint
– 2 sprigs of parsley
– 1 green apple
– optional: half a yellow bell pepper
Wash all the ingredients. Even organic cucumbers often have a wax layer, so it’s a good idea to scrub them a bit. Remove the lemon peel and the seeds from the bell pepper if you’re using it. If the mint has woody stems, it’s better to remove the leaves. Cut all the ingredients into approximately three-centimeter pieces and feed them one by one into your juice press. And there you have it – this delightful, fresh, hydrating, and cooling juice is ready. It’s excellent for an alkalizing cleanse and an immune boost.
You can also juice the same ingredients in a blender; in that case, use a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to strain out the fibers.
Conclusion
Cucumber has more to offer than we initially thought! Both ancient traditions and modern science recognize its healthy qualities: in juices, smoothies, and salads, it brings valuable nutrients and healthy properties. We love to see cucumber frequently in our diet.
