Did you know that the cucumber, what most people typically think of as a vegetable, is technically a fruit and from the same botanical family as the melon, including watermelon and cantaloupe??
I love cucumbers and better yet, I love the health benefits that come along with eating them…here are 16 quick clean facts about cucumbers:
- Helps digestion. Chewing cucumber gives the jaws a good workout, and the fiber in it is great for digestion.
- Smooths hair and nails. Silica, the wonder mineral in cucumber makes your hair and nails stronger and shinier.
- Soothes muscle and joint pain. All those vitamins and minerals in cucumber make it a powerful enemy of muscle and joint pain.
- Keeps kidneys in shape. Cucumber lowers uric acid levels in your system, keeping the kidneys happy.
- Good for diabetics. Patients of diabetes can enjoy cucumber while also reaping its health benefits: cucumber contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin.
- Reduces cholesterol. A compound called sterols in cucumber helps reduce bad cholesterol.
- Keeps you hydrated. If you are too busy to drink enough water, munch on the cool cucumber, which is 96 percent water. It will cheerfully compensate!
- Fights heat, both inside and out. Eat cucumber, and your body gets relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin, and you get relief from sunburn.
- Flushes out toxins. All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your system. With regular use, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.
- Lavishes you with vitamins. A B and C, which boost immunity, give you energy, and keep you radiant. Give it more power by juicing cucumber with carrot and spinach.
- Supplies skin-friendly minerals: magnesium, potassium, silicon. That’s why cucumber-based treatments abound in spas.
- Aids in weight loss. Enjoy cucumbers in your salads and soups. My favorite snack? Crunchy cucumber sticks with creamy low-fat yogurt dip.
- Revives the eyes. Placing chilled slices of cucumber on the eyes is a clichéd beauty visual, but it really helps reduce under-eye bags and puffiness.
- Cuts cancer. Cut down your risk of several cancers by including cucumber in your diet. Several studies show its cancer-fighting potential.
- Stabilizes blood pressure. Patients of blood pressure, both high and low, often find that eating cucumber brings relief.
- Refreshes the mouth. Cucumber juice refreshes and heals diseased gums, leaving your mouth smelling good.
(Source)
Here is a refreshing summer salad that is easy to make, gluten-free, and full of flavor! Enjoy it as a salad, side dish, or just an afternoon snack on a hot day!
Spicy Cilantro Lime Cucumber Salad
Recipe Makes: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 Jalapeno (Washed with Eat Cleaner Fruit & Vegetable Wash), seeded and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cucumbers (Washed with Eat Cleaner Fruit & Vegetable Wash), very finely sliced (I like to use a mandolin slicer or food processor slicer)
- 4 tablespoons cilantro (Washed with Eat Cleaner Fruit & Vegetable Wash), finely chopped
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped jalapeno and garlic
- Add fresh lime juice, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper, to taste. Use a whisk to mix in the olive oil and set aside.
- Wash the cucumbers with Eat Cleaner Fruit & Vegetable Wash and finely slice with a mandolin or food processor slicer if you have one, or a very sharp knife.
- Add the cucumbers to the dressing and stir together.
- Finely chop the cilantro and add it to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Let salad marinate for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator for best results.
- Enjoy!
For more great tips and recipes from Chef Mareya, The Fit Foodie, visit www.eatcleaner.com or text EATCLEANER to 22828 to Join The Cleaner Plate Club!
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