Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely-cultivated creeping vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family that bears usually cylindrical fruits, which are used as culinary vegetables.
Considered an annual plant, there are three main varieties of cucumber—slicing, pickling, and seedless—within which several cultivars have been created. The cucumber originates from South Asia, but now grows on most continents, as many different types of cucumber are traded on the global market.
In North America, the term wild cucumber refers to plants in the genera Echinocystis and Marah, though the two are not closely related.
What Cucumber Does:
Cucumber and water:
Simply slice a cucumber and apply the slices to your face. Leave them on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with water. This can help soothe and hydrate the skin.
Cucumber and yogurt:
Mix together equal parts cucumber and plain yogurt and apply the mixture to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with water.
This can help soothe and moisturize the skin, as well as exfoliate dead skin cells.
Cucumber and honey:
Mix together equal parts cucumber and honey and apply the mixture to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with water. This can help soothe and moisturize the skin, as well as kill bacteria that can cause acne.
It’s important to note that while cucumber can be a helpful natural remedy for acne, it’s not a replacement for proper skincare and acne treatment. If you have severe acne or are concerned about your skin, it’s always best to consult a dermatologist for personalized advice and treatment.
Read also: Common Health Benefits Of cucumber to Body System
All that water in cucumbers can help keep you hydrated. Plus, the fiber boost they give you helps you stay regular and avoid constipation.
The vitamin K helps blood clot and keep your bones healthy. Vitamin A has many jobs, like helping with vision, the immune system, and reproduction. It also makes sure organs like your heart, lungs, and kidneys work the way they should.
The lignans may help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, and some cancers.
Antioxidants such as beta carotene in cucumbers can help fight free radicals in your body, unpaired electrons that damage cells and can lead to disease.
Cucumbers may also have health benefits outside your body. Putting them on your skin may help ease sunburn pain, swelling, and damaged skin. That’s why people sometimes put a slice or two under their eyes, hoping to shrink bags and ease puffiness.
Risks of Cucumber
There are few risks to eating cucumbers. One concern may be the pesticides growers use on them. Before you eat them, peel the skin off or wash it in warm running water. That’ll make sure your cucumber is safe to enjoy.
Cucumbers come with a natural wax on their skin. Washing cucumbers after picking them takes away that wax, so producers add a synthetic wax back on before sending them to grocery stores. The wax helps them stay shelf stable longer, but it also holds onto germs. The wax itself isn’t harmful, but peeling the skin before you eat the cucumber can lower the risk of contamination. However, the skin is where most of the nutrients live. A better option may be to buy organic and wash your cukes well before enjoying.
How to Prepare and Store Cucumbers
Most people wash, slice, and toss their cucumbers into a salad. Before you do, you may want to soak them in salt water first. That will lower the amount of water in them and keep the cucumbers from making your salad dressing watery.
You can eat the peel of a cucumber. In fact, it will add fiber and vitamin A to your diet. Just be sure to wash the cucumber first.
When you shop for cucumbers, skip ones that are yellow, puffy, or have sunk-in areas, bulges, or wrinkled ends. Those overripe cucumbers won’t taste great. Instead, look for bright, firm, medium to dark-green, slender cucumbers. Any bruises or dark spots are signs of decay.
Store cucumbers unpeeled in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. If they have a wax coating that gives them a shiny look, use them within a week. If they don’t have a wax coating, use them sooner. Don’t keep them out at room temperature long, or they will become soft and limp.
