Cool as Cucumber

Women often pamper themselves with cucumber eye mask or cucumber facial wash to refresh their skin. But did you know that cucumber is also good for the skin when consumed?

This plant from the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae is a highly alkaline vegetable and is best eaten raw. The best part of it is that it can be easily found in most parts of the world. In Singapore, it’s not expensive to buy a cucumber, always readily available in supermarkets and wet markets.

Cucumber’s Nutrition

Cucumbers are rich in Vitamin K, molybdenum mineral & Vitamin B5. They are a valuable source of conventional antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. In addition, cucumbers contain numerous flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin which has anti-inflammatory properties, and importantly it reduces blood histamine levels.

There are also special bioflavonoids in cucumbers that stop cancer-causing hormones from binding to cells. Bioflavonoids are potent antioxidants, binding to toxic metals, escorting them out of the body. [1]

Cucumber Keeps You Hydrated

Cucumber and lettuce tops the vegetable list on the highest water content, consisting of 96 percent water. This high-watercontent vegetable is refreshing, hydrating and naturally low in calories. So if you tend to not fulfill your 8 glasses of water a day, chomp on some raw cucumbers as an appetizer or include it in your salad and sandwich.

If you have dry skin, drinking and consuming sufficient water daily is important. Aside from the water required for your daily organ functions, your skin will need sufficient water to replenish lost moisture.

Highly Alkaline – Suitable for Eczema Diet

Cucumber is a highly alkaline food in the acid-alkaline food chart. Therefore, it is recommended to be added into your diet if you have dry skin, dermatitis or eczema. The fundamental of eczema diet is that it is alkaline based, and to eliminate food that causes skin inflammation and itchiness. And cucumber definitely fits the list to be added into your daily food choice.

[1] Source : The Health Science Academy.Org

 

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