Use Cucumbers to Accomplish Your Diet Goals and Fight Skin Disease

I began to eat cucumbers as a low calorie; high fiber food. Fiber is one of the main ways that I keep in shape. One of the most pleasant side effects I found from eating my daily dose of cucumber; was that my skin became softer and smoother. As an eczema sufferer; this is one of the most powerful side effects that I've found from eating any healthy food.

When many people think of cucumbers they think of a refreshing vegetable that often makes appearances in salads. Overall people don't think it is unhealthy; but it does seems like a watery vegetable without a whole lot of nutritional value.

Most think that maybe it has a little vitamin C; maybe a little fiber and maybe some cleansing abilities. But, many are was surprised to learn that the cucumber really has a lot of vitamins and minerals; and that it's health benefits are many fold.

The cucumber is a member of the gourd family. This family of plants has a range that thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. All gourds are annual vegetables that grow in a climbing manner. They are characteristically big and fleshy fruit. The entire body of most gourds is edible. Some gourds like cucumbers can be eaten raw; but, many must be cooked to be tolerable. Most cucumbers have been cultivated for food since prehistoric times.

Many gourds have durable shells that can be dried and used as loofahs, bowls, ornaments and dishes. Other members of the gourd family include pumpkins, gherkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew melon and more. Some more exotic and less well-known gourds are the bitter apple, prickly cucumber, bryony, and the dendrosicyos.

As far as health benefits go; to start with cucumbers contain vitamin A, vitamin C, tryptophan, magnesium, potassium, folate, and dietary fiber.

In fact this watery squash actually contains 10% of your daily requirement of dietary fiber. Because of the cucumber's high water content; it is very hydrating to the body. This water content combined with the fiber contained in the cucumber can create a very filing effect. Eating a whole cucumber everyday is a great weight loss tool in fact. In addition, the fiber when combined with the magnesium and potassium contained in cucumbers has shown to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. These three components synergized are of great benefit to people at risk of this condition.

In addition to hydrating the body and mixing favorably with the fiber; the high water content aids in creating a beautiful complexion. Cucumber also contains silica which is very good for the hair and the skin. Silica is also nourishing to the connective tissues of the body. These tissues include the muscle ligaments and bone cartilage. Raw natural cucumber juice has been recommended by many cultures as improving to the skin and in treating all sorts of skin disorders.

Enjoying CucumbersIt would be beneficial for anyone to eat a whole cucumber everyday to reap the benefits described above. There are few delicious ways to do this.

Instead of just adding a few slices to a salad; a cucumber can be sliced up and tossed with an oil and vinegar dressing. The cucumber itself will be so filling that there would be no need for any additional salad greens and vegetables. Consuming this dish once a day would be of great benefit.

Another fun way to eat a cucumber is to hollow out the cucumber shell into a boat and chop up the cucumber meat. The meat can be chopped up and mixed with assorted fruits and vegetables. The chopped food should then be mixed with little oil, vinegar and honey. The mixture can then be placed back into the cucumber boat and eaten. It is important for people to consume the cucumber skin along with the meat. Many key nutrients lay in the skin and the meat.