What is cucumber water?
Ccucumber water is a drink recipe with cucumber as the star ingredient. “It is a summer drink intended to cool the body. It’s a simple way to add a subtle flavour and nutrients to your water,” says dietician Veena V. Cucumbers are about 96 percent water, making them a hydrating choice. It is beneficial when consumed in hot weather or during exercise to replenish the water lost as sweat. What is the best part of drinking cucumber water? This drink is very low in calories, where one cup of sliced cucumber consists of about 16 calories, making it ideal for weight loss.
Nutritional content in cucumber
According to the US Department of Agriculture, one 100 grams of unpared, raw, chopped cucumber contains the following nutrients:
- Water: 137 g
- Calories: 17
- Protein: 0.8 g
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrate: 3.1 g, including 2.0 g of sugar
- Fibre: 1.0 g
- Calcium: 19.9 g
- Iron: 0.3 mg
- Magnesium: 17 mg
- Phosphorus: 29.8 mg
- Potassium: 193 mg
- Sodium: 2.8 mg
- vitamin C: 4.5 mg
How to make cucumber water?
There is no one kind of recipe for cucumber water, it can range from a simple sliced cucumber infused in drinking water to a cucumber juiced in a blender. Making cucumber water is easy.
Ingredients
- ·8 cups water
- 2 cucumbers, sliced thin
Method
1. Add the sliced cucumbers to a large pitcher or jar
2. Pour in the water and stir well.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Keep the water refrigerated.
5. Serve with or without ice
6. Drink within 3 days.
How to make cucumber water more flavourful?
Try adding any of the following ingredients to cucumber water to make it even more flavourful while keeping the same benefits:
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
- Sprigs of mint
- Basil leaves
- Melon
- stalk of lemongrass
- ginger
- Fresh raspberries or other berries
- Pineapple
Add sliced cucumber, pinch of rock salt, pepper, and muddled ginger along with citrus fruits if needed to water and refrigerate it.
For a hydrating smoothie-blitz in a blender 1/2 cup chopped cucumber, 1 cup frozen pineapple, 1 frozen banana, a handful of spinach, 1/2 cup yoghurt, 1/2 cup water (or coconut water), and lime juice (optional) until smooth. Adjust sweetness/tartness. Experiment with berries, mango, or celery for a twist.
Blend chopped cucumber (1 medium), peeled and chopped ginger (1 inch), and 1 cup water until smooth. Strain the juice and enjoy chilled. For extra flavour, add a touch of honey or lemon juice.
Health benefits of cucumber water.
1. Hydration
This is the most significant benefit of cucumber water. Cucumbers are mostly water, so drinking cucumber water helps you stay hydrated, which is crucial for overall health, regulates body temperature, and aids digestion. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that six to eight glasses of water should be had every day. Drinking cucumber water is a fun and delicious way to achieve this goal.
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2. Weight Management
Due to its low-calorie content and hydrating properties, cucumber water can be a helpful beverage for weight management. This is one of the best advantages of cucumber water. It can help you feel fuller for longer, potentially reducing calorie intake throughout the day. This study, published in Nutrients, concludes that consuming foods that have high water content, and low calories, can decrease body weight.
3. Electrolytes and minerals
In small amounts, cucumber water provides some electrolytes and minerals like potassium and magnesium. These minerals are important for maintaining proper muscle and nerve function, and hydration helps your body absorb them better.
4. Antioxidant support
Cucumbers contain some antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-carotene. These antioxidants may help protect cells from damage and potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases. A study was conducted in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Ageing, that points out that after 30 days, regular consumption of cucumber powder increased antioxidant activity in the body. However, it is important to note that cucumber powder could have more antioxidants than raw cucumber.
5. Skin health benefits
Staying hydrated is essential for healthy skin. Consuming enough fluids can improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Additionally, some believe cucumber’s vitamin C content might contribute to overall skin health, although more research is needed.
6. Detoxification
Cucumber water acts as a natural diuretic, helping to flush out toxins from the body and support kidney function. Also, cucumber water can help fight bad breath due to its ability to hydrate and wash away bacteria in the mouth.
How to make cucumber water healthy?
To ensure healthy cucumber water, use clean, washed cucumbers, and filtered or purified water. Also, make sure to consume it within three days to maintain freshness and quality.
Risks of having too much cucumber water
There aren’t any risks to having too much cucumber water, but excess consumption could lead to mild stomach upset in some people. “This is due to the presence of cucurbitin, a compound with laxative effects, and the low amount of fibre amount which can overwhelm digestion in high quantities, leading to bloating, gas, or diarrhea, especially for those with sensitive stomachs,” says Veena.
So hop on to the cucumber water wagon this summer! You can consume cucumber water every day. It’s a healthy and hydrating beverage that can be a great addition to your daily routine.
