Cucumbers, with their extremely low calorie content and ability to prevent fat formation, are a popular choice for weight loss. They are also rich in water (up to 98 percent), making them an excellent natural hydrator during hot summer months. Consuming them not only helps with weight loss but also strengthens the body and lowers blood sugar and blood pressure.
In midsummer, everyone thinks of watermelon for heat relief and hydration. Full of water, sweet and thirst-quenching, watermelon effectively removes excessive heat in the heart, lungs, and stomach, bringing a refreshing feeling to the body. Because of these properties, watermelon has long been considered a remedy for improving symptoms of mild heatstroke.
Cucumbers offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative with similar effects to watermelon. Their portability makes them ideal companions during the hot summer, ensuring you’re always prepared for hydration and thirst-quenching on the go.
The medicinal properties of cucumbers
The cooling effect of cucumbers is not just due to their high water content, but also their medicinal properties. According to traditional Chinese medicine, they are cold in nature and benefit the spleen, stomach, large intestine, and lungs. Their bitter-sweet taste helps clear heat, relieve thirst, moisten the intestines, and promote bowel movements. The combination of sweet and bitter flavors also helps in nourishing the kidneys.
Cucumbers have other beneficial effects, including:
1. Relieving oral ulcers and gum inflammation
Traditional Chinese medicine states: “The heart opens into the tongue, and the spleen opens into the mouth.” Cucumbers can help alleviate oral ulcers and gum inflammation caused by excessive heat in the body due to their benefits to the spleen, stomach, heart, lungs, and large intestine.
2. Low-calorie beauty enhancer
Summer gourds like watermelon, bitter melon, and pumpkin are known for their low calorie content, but cucumbers stand out. With only 15 calories per 100 grams, they are extremely low in calories. They contain a bioactive enzyme that promotes metabolism and blood circulation, contributing to skin health and beauty.
3. Managing blood sugar and improving diabetes symptoms
Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for both healthy individuals and diabetes patients. Cucumbers contain low-GI sugars that do not require insulin for metabolism, making them an ideal choice for diabetes patients. Consuming them can even help lower blood sugar levels.
4. Liver protection and anti-cancer properties
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cucumbers benefit the liver, helping to detoxify and protect it. Modern research supports this, indicating that they contain amino acids beneficial for liver health, particularly for those with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Animal studies have shown that they contain compounds that can enhance immunity, fight influenza, and exhibit anti-tumor properties. These compounds also aid in treating chronic hepatitis and primary liver cancer.
Precautions when consuming cucumbers
- Avoid for those with weak digestion: Cucumbers are often eaten raw due to their cold nature. Individuals with weak digestion or chronic illness should consume them sparingly to avoid stomach pain or diarrhea. Adding ginger or garlic can help balance their cooling effect.
- Limit intake for respiratory issues: Cucumbers should be avoided by those with chronic respiratory conditions, especially the elderly with weak vitality, as they can exacerbate cold-induced coughs and phlegm.
- Don’t cut off the ends: Cucumber ends, which are usually bitter, contain beneficial compounds that help protect the liver and have anti-cancer properties. It’s best not to discard these ends when preparing them.
Incorporating cucumbers into your diet can provide a host of health benefits, from cooling and hydration to weight loss and improved metabolic functions. Their high water content and unique medicinal properties make them an excellent choice for summer wellness. Not only do they help alleviate heat-related discomforts and oral inflammations, but they also support liver health, manage blood sugar levels, and enhance skin beauty.
So next time you plan a summer outing, consider adding cucumbers to your list for a refreshing and health-boosting snack!
Translated by Joseph Wu
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