The human body requires two to three litres of water every day to maintain overall health and assist in the proper functioning of the organs. This requirement may increase while working out, stepping out in hot temperatures, or losing fluids due to diseases. In such cases, making infused water a part of the daily diet can become beneficial, like cucumber detox water, which is said to be healthier than normal water.
Hydration is vital for good health and cucumber water has an addicting flavour to it. Drinking more of this water means infusing the body with more nutrients. Moreover, it aids in weight management, improving the skin and lowering blood pressure.
Let’s move forward to discuss the cucumber water benefits.
Cucumber Detox Water Benefits
Cucumber water is the most refreshing and flavourful drink, which prevents the most adverse body conditions while keeping the skin, hair, bones, and muscles healthy. Following are the potential benefits of cucumber water.
1. Keeps You Hydrated
The human body cannot function properly without water. People need to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water throughout the day, but sometimes, plain water becomes boring and feels too heavy. Cucumber water benefits the body by infusing the water with flavours and making it easy for everyone to intake the required amount of this fluid. Moreover, it is cheaper than most the infused-waters (like coconut water, mint and lemon water, blueberry water, or grapefruit water) and is easier to prepare.
2. Helps in Weight Loss
People following a weight loss diet might know that even the healthiest juices have tons of calories and even the sodas labeled suitable for the diet are loaded with sugar. Cucumber water weight loss is an effective diet to follow because cucumber water has 95 per cent water content, rich flavor, and less than 30 to 40 calories, which makes it a perfect partner on the weight loss journey.
According to the PKD Foundation, individuals generally confuse thirst for hunger and end up munching heavily on snacks, which increases calorie intake. In these situations, replacing the snacks with a glass of cucumber water can make them feel full for longer while avoiding unnecessary snacking.
3. Filled with Antioxidants
Doctors and dietitians advise consuming fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Cucumbers fall in this category. They are rich in essential antioxidants like beta carotene and molybdenum (which activate the antioxidant enzymes), calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, vitamins A, C and K, which fill the water with nutrients. These antioxidants protect the body from oxidative and cell damage, which is the main cause of major health conditions like cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer's, eye degeneration and diabetes. Thus, drinking cucumber detox water can save the body from picking up these diseases.
4. Controls Blood Pressure
Health experts suggest cucumber in the diet of blood pressure patients. The main reason for high blood pressure is the consumption of more salt (sodium) and less potassium. Excess sodium leads the body to hold more fluids which causes a rise in blood pressure. Potassium is an electrolyte that eliminates the excess sodium that is retained by the kidneys, thus establishing a balanced flow of blood through the vessels.
Cucumber salad can be consumed once or twice throughout the day. Mixing the normal water with cucumber pulp can make it easier to intake more potassium, which might create a sodium-potassium balance in the body.
5. Healthy Skin
Want to have healthy glowing skin with reduced signs of pigmentation? Hydration is the key to healthy skin. Cucumber detox water benefits the skin by flushing out toxins to maintain a healthy glowing complexion. The vitamin B-5 and pantothenic acid in cucumber are used to treat inflammation and acne (a bowl of cucumber contains 5 per cent of the daily recommended vitamin B-5 intake). The vitamins C and K in this fruit help to brighten the skin from within. Some other nutrients in cucumber help in the reduction of dark circles, dark spots and texture, while making the skin soft and supple.
Other Benefits of Cucumber Detox Water
Apart from the five benefits mentioned above, there are several other golden health benefits of cucumber water. These are discussed below:
1. Protection against cancer
The flavonoids and antioxidants present in cucumber may help to fight cancer. In a 2012 study, the Journal of Cancer Research revealed that the flavonoid fisetin found in cucumber fruit may prove helpful in slowing down the growth of prostate cancer. Another compound known as cucurbitacin and a group of nutrients known as lignans is found in the fruit of cucumber, which controls cancer.
2. Better muscle health
Potassium aids in faster muscle recovery and prevents sore muscles. Cucumber water is a rich source of potassium and other nutrients essential for maintaining muscle energy.
This fruit also contains silica, a mineral necessary to keep the connective tissues healthy. Drinking cucumber-infused water mid-workout meets fitness needs with a sweet flavour.
3. Strengthens the bones
Bones are made of a protein called collagen and a mineral called calcium phosphate, which makes them hard and strong. Cucumbers are rich in calcium and vitamin K (a vitamin that helps to transport calcium to the bones). Adding a few slices of unpeeled cucumber slices in cucumber detox water can transfer this mineral to the bones.
4. Supports brain health
Studies show that cucumbers might boost brain power with their fisetin - a dietary fibre. They help the aging mice in the brain from developing memory loss issues and learning problems. This infused water is recommended in the diet of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
5. A fit for all diets
For those having dietary restrictions, cucumber water is a savior for the taste buds. It is a fit for keto diets, gluten-free diets, or vegan diets. Those who are on intermittent fasting can chug down a glass of this beverage to suppress hunger during the fasting periods.
6. A healthy replacement for caffeinated beverages
Want to cut down on the consumption of caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and sodas? Try replacing those beverages with cucumber-infused water. For a flavourful twist, mix this beverage with a few drops of lemon juice and mint juice. A perfect detox!
7. Helps treat inflammation
Cucumber fruit has anti-inflammatory properties, which is a reason it is used to treat sunburns. Drinking a few glasses of cucumber water every day helps the body to fight inflammation and redness on the skin.
8. Reduces dark circles
Everyone knows that putting frozen cucumber slices on the eyes helps treat dark circles but the consumption of cucumber-infused drinks benefits in the long run and solves the root cause. It hydrates the surrounding tissues of the eyes, controls vasculature, and treats sunburn.
How to Make Cucumber Detox Water
What is cucumber detox water? It is a beverage infused with the properties of cucumber. How to select the perfect cucumber for the cucumber water recipe? Any kind of cucumber works for the recipe. However, try buying the organic ones without any wax layer as they have more flavour. This beverage can be prepared as per the taste but the following are said to be the most effective ways to prepare cucumber detox water.
1. Normal Water Mixed with Cucumber Pulp
The ingredients required for this recipe are 6 glasses of water, 2 medium-sized peeled cucumbers, 4 to 5 lemon slices, and ice (optional). To prepare this recipe, chop down the cucumber into big slices and blend them in a smooth paste. Take two big bottles and fill them with 3 glasses of water each, lemon slices, and an equal amount of the blended cucumber pulp. Add ice and consume it throughout the day.
2. Overnight Cucumber Water
The ingredients required for this recipe are 8 to 10 glasses of water (or as per the water intake), a cup of mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries), a few slices of lemon, and 2 medium-sized cucumbers. To prepare this, add 8 glasses of water in a large jar, followed by mixed berries, lemon slices, and cucumber slices. This cucumber detox water recipe needs to be stored overnight so that the water absorbs all the nutrients from the fruits.
Conclusion
Cucumber detox water can be made with several other ingredients like mint, lavender, watermelon, kiwi, rosemary and orange because it works well with anything. This is a perfect drink to serve the guests or add a little twist to the fitness journey. Stay hydrated!
FAQs
What is the purpose of cucumber water?
The purpose of drinking cucumber water is to provide hydration to the body, which is vital to maintain overall health.
How many times can you reuse cucumber slices in water?
There is no problem with reusing the cucumber slices, however, there might be a reduction in the flavour. They shall not be reused more than twice.
What are the benefits of drinking cucumber water?
Cucumber water has several potential benefits. It provides hydration, promotes muscle and bone health, aids in getting healthy skin and controls blood pressure.
Is cucumber water good for hair?
Yes. Cucumber water combats the dryness of the scalp by providing moisture.
How long do cucumbers last in water?
Cucumbers can be infused in the water for 12 hours. After this period, they shall be removed from the water. The infused water can be stored for 2 to 3 days.