10 Cool Things You Can Do With Cucumbers

Zoomer | July 17th, 2018

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What could be cooler than a cucumber? Actually, the humble cucumber is one of the most cultivated plants on the planet – and with good reason. This spectacular veggie is actually a nutritional powerhouse. While scientists are studying the cancer-fighting properties of the cucumber, natural health experts and spa directors have always known about the benefits of the cucumber.

Here, 10 cool things you can do with cucumbers.

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1. Power

They are what Weight Watchers calls a “power food.” Add them to your meals and snack on them because they are high in nutrition, super low in calories, and fill you up.

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2. Drink Up

If you’ve got a juicer, you can make a natural energy drink. Cukes contain lots of B-vitamins and healthy carbs—an energy one-two punch.

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3. Beauty

Cucumbers have a very high water content, lots of vitamins, and a boatload of antioxidants. They hydrate your skin, making it plumper and more youthful. Some of the phytochemicals in cucumbers are anti-inflammatory. The vitamins nourish the skin and the antioxidants duke it out with the free radicals. Lots of expensive facial care products wish they could offer what the cucumber brings you!

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4. Cool Down

Slice a cucumber that you’ve kept in the refrigerator and float it in cold mineral water. It has a naturally cooling effect—no wonder this is a popular spa drink.

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5. Breathe

Sweeten your breath. Take a slice of cucumber and hold it in your mouth for 30 seconds (then spit it out). The phytochemicals in the cucumber will kill the bacteria in your mouth, and many times halitosis is just bacteria overload. Besides improving your breath, this technique can also fight inflammation of the gums.

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6. Defogger

Defog your bathroom mirrors. Try rubbing it with a cucumber slice before you shower and even the steamiest shower won’t fog things up. Some folks clean faucets and taps with cucumber slices.

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7. Cure a Hangover

If you’ve overindulged in alcohol, eat a few slices of cucumber before retiring. The water content of the cucumbers helps to rehydrate you, plus cucumbers contain a big dose of vitamin C and other vitamins to help you overcome your hangover. It wouldn’t hurt if you drank a glass or two of straight water as well (most hangover symptoms relate to dehydration).

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8. Swollen Ankles

Reduce your swollen ankles. Cucumbers are a natural diuretic so you can use them to help fight water-weight gain.

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9. Pain

If you suffer from joint pain or arthritis, make sure your diet goes heavy on the cucumbers (load up all of your salads with them)—cucumbers contain silica which besides being good for hair and nails, is excellent for joint health.

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10. Strong Bones

Cucumbers contain calcium (one of several unlikely calcium foods) which fights osteoporosis (for ladies of a certain age) and builds strong bones and teeth (for ladies under a certain age).

 

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