Health Benefits of Cucumbers.

Cucumbers belong to the same plant family as squash, pumpkin, and watermelon and like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of 95% water, which means eating them help you stay hydrated. Cucumbers contain vitamin K, B vitamins, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and manganese,they also contain polyphenols and other compounds that may help reduce your risk of chronic diseases especially for cancer treatment. Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that play an important role in brain health. In addition to improving your memory and protecting your nerve cells from age-related decline, fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer's disease. Cucumbers may help the inflammatory response in your body, and animal studies suggest that cucumber extract helps reduce unwanted inflammation, in part by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes (including cyclo-oxygenase 2, or COX-2). Cucumbers contain numerous antioxidants, including the well-known vitamin C and beta-carotene. They also contain antioxidant flavonoids, such as quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol,6 which provide additional health benefits. quercetin is an antioxidant that prevents histamine release,thus making quercetin-rich foods "natural antihistamines." Kaempferol, may help fight cancer and lower risk of chronic diseases including heart disease. Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress. Cucumbers contain potassium, which is associated with lower blood pressure levels. A proper balance of potassium both inside and outside your cells is crucial for your body to function properly. Cucumbers are very low in calories, yet they make a filling snack. The soluble fiber in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in the gut, slowing down digestion, this making you feel full longer and help with weight control. Cucumbers contain polyphenols called lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), which help to lower the risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers. They also contain phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which also have anti-cancer properties.