Cucumber occupies the top most place in my list of summer vegetables and fruits for the fact, it is very high in water and low in calories. It contains 96% water that is distilled. It is a great source of Vitamin A, C, Folic acid, Potassium, manganese, silica, sulfur, minerals and sterols. Sterols have been shown to lower cholesterol in animals.

Health Benefits of Cucumber

Anti inflammatory: Helpful in decreasing uric acid thus beneficial for rheumatic conditions and joints inflammation.

 Great Digestive Aid: It has a cleansing effect on the bowel. It acts as an anti-oxidant when taken together with fried and barbequed foods.

Best Natural Diuretic: It helps promoting flow of urine and also help in dissolution of kidney stones.

Cool: It has a cooling effect in hot summer days and keep your body temperature normal.

Cucumber Recipes

You can eat cucumber in many ways and I am going to mention here a few

Cucumber Raita or Cucumber Dip Recipe

Ingredients

Cucumber(Peeled and grated)            1 cup

Mint or Coriander leaves (chopped)                                  1 tbsp

Yogurt                                             500g

Recipe:

Whisk yogurt until smooth.

Add mint

Squeeze excessive water from cucumber and add it to the yogurt too.

Pour it in a serving dish and refrigerate it

Garnish it with cucumber slices, mint leaves or coriander leaves and serve.

Make a cucumber Pickle

Ingredients

• 2 baby cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 cups water
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

Recipe

Slice cucumbers put it in a bowl with salt.

Let it stand for 30 seconds.

Meanwhile combine the water, vinegar, sugar and black pepper in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.

Remove from heat and let cool

Rinse the salt off the cucumbers, and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Put the cucumbers in a medium bowl and add the pickling solution; they should be completely covered by the solution.

Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 6 hours before serving.

The pickled cucumbers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

or

you can have just plain cucumber salad.

Beauty Enhancement With Cucumber

Hair Growth: As cucumber is high in silica and sulfur, it is said to be good for hair growth and development

Sunburn: To heal sunburn, cucumber jiuce is beneficial

Skin Rejuvenator: Ideal for skin rejuvenation skin as it is high in vitamin C and anti-oxidants.

Relaxing Eyes: To reduce puffiness around eyes, lie doown and put cucumber slices on your eyes.

Cucumber Beauty Recipe

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon yogurt

Instructions:

Puree cucumber and yogurt in a blender, apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.

This mask is good for every skin type.

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