Maintain Your Cool with Cucumber

Sep 8, 2010 by Elissa Goodman

You might have wondered where the saying “cool as a cucumber” comes from. It has to do with the face that cucumbers have actually been found to be up to 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. It’s no wonder that we want to be “cool as a cucumber” during the hot summer months!

Cucumbers are also great for the complexion and health of your skin as well as giving your body an extra boost of vitamin A, C and potassium. So definitely make an effort to go for the cucumbers – adding them to your favorite summer salads and sandwiches. A quick tip: with organic cucumbers, leave the skin on for extra nutrition—all you have to do is slice and serve!

CUCUMBERS FROM A to Z

Cucumbers are scientifically known as Cucumis sativus and belong to the same family as watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, and other types of squash. Varieties of cucumber are grown either to be eaten fresh or to be pickled. Those that are to be eaten fresh are commonly called slicing cucumbers. Cucumbers such as gherkins that are specially cultivated to make pickles are often times much smaller than slicing cucumbers.

HEALTH BENEFITS

The flesh of cucumbers is primarily composed of water but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid (antioxidant), both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. Cucumbers’ hard skin is rich in fiber and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium and magnesium.

COMPLEXION

The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber’s high water content makes it naturally hydrating—a must for glowing skin. Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis.

FIBER AND WATER

Trying to get adequate dietary fiber on a daily basis is a challenge for many Americans. Adding a crunchy cool cucumber to your salads is an especially good way to increase your fiber intake because cucumber comes naturally prepackaged with the extra fluid you need when consuming more fiber. Plus, you get the added bonus of vitamin C, silica, potassium and magnesium.

BLOOD PRESSURE

When people who participated in the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Study added foods high in potassium, magnesium and fiber, their blood pressure dropped to healthier levels. Those people in the study who ate a diet rich in these compounds in addition to the other foods on this diet (low fat dairy foods, seafood, lean meat and poultry) lowered their blood pressure by 5.5 points (systolic) over 3.0 points (diastolic).

SERVING IDEAS

Use half-inch thick cucumber slices as petite serving “dishes” for chopped vegetable salads.

Mix diced cucumbers with sugar snap peas and mint leaves and toss with rice wine vinaigrette.

For refreshing cold gazpacho soup that takes five minutes or less to make, simply purée cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers and onions, then add salt and pepper – and a dash of tobasco – to taste.

Slice cucumbers and put in a bowl. Add 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, slivered red onions or chives, a tablespoon of red wine vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic. Finely chop some fresh mint and toss in. Chill, stir and serve.

Add diced cucumber to tuna fish or chicken salad recipes.