Contrary to popular belief that cucumber is a vegetable you enjoy in your salad, it’s actually a fruit! And when eaten regularly, it provides us with excellent nutrition and health benefits…

It Keeps You Hydrated

Water plays a vital part in the functioning of our bodies, which is no surprise considering water makes up 60% of it. It regulates body temperature and also plays a part in transporting waste products.

Cucumbers are more than 96% water, and considering around 40% of our fluid comes from food, they are particularly great at promoting hydration.

It Aids Weight Loss

Cucumber is naturally low in calories; a standard serving of around 100 grams contains only 16 calories! That means you can eat lots of it without piling on the pounds. The high water content also assists weight loss as it is common knowledge that being well hydrated speeds up your metabolism.

It Makes You Regular

That’s right, including cucumber in your diet could support regular and healthier bowl movements! Dehydration is the main cause of constipation, so eating cucumber which has a high water content, can maintain regularity and better stool consistency – nice!

It’s not just the water; cucumber also contains fibre which is effective in regulating bowl movements!

Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants essentially block oxidation; a reaction in the body which creates atoms that are highly reactive with unpaired electrons called free radicals. The build up of free radicals can result in a number of chronic and severe illnesses.

Cucumber contains antioxidants which prevent this from happening and reduces the risk of certain diseases such as cancer. There’s never been a better reason to eat your greens!

It’s Nutritious 

Despite being low in calories, cucumber is rich in a variety of beneficial nutrients including Vitamin K and C, Potassium, Magnesium, and Manganese. These are all nutrients that many people following a standard diet often lack!

To reap the full nutritional benefits from cucumber, it should be eaten unpeeled; peeling the cucumber could reduce the fibre and some of the minerals and vitamins.

It’s Easy to Add

Fresh with a distinctive flavour, cucumbers are enjoyed by everyone in sandwiches, salads, or as pickles. They can be turned into crisps, paired with hummus, or infused in water! The point is, it’s incredibly easy to include in your diet and it can enjoyed in a variety of different and unique ways.