Health benefits of cucumber and watermelon

Medinat Kanabe takes a look at the benefits inherent in eating cucumber and watermelon.

Cucumber is that long, cylindrical green fruit with watery, fresh taste seen mostly everywhere. It comes in different sizes and has rounded edges.

It belongs to the same plant family as squash, pumpkin, and watermelon called the Cucurbitaceae family. Like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of 95 percent water, which means eating them on a hot summer day can help you stay hydrated.

Watermelon on the other hand can be described as a large, roundish, or elongated fruit. It is about 95 per cent water, 6 per cent sugar which makes it very sweet.

There are many different types of watermelon. Some have a green rind on the outside and red-pink flesh on the inside with black seeds.

Some can have yellow flesh and some can be seedless. The green rind on the outside is not usually eaten, though some people use it as vegetable.

Both fruits are said to have Vitamins K, B, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and manganese and can help one to avoid nutrient deficiencies that are widespread.

They also contain unique polyphenols and other compounds that may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and much more.

According to a nutritionist, Dr Timilehin Adebayo, cucumber and watermelon are very nutritious and very good fruits for the support of the heart.

“It allows the heart to regulate well. It works with the kidney and liver to reduce the cholesterol and excess fat in the liver and also regulates the blood sugar in the system. It also cleans the blood. It is also good to go with other fruits like the carrot and garden eggs.”

He said the green part, the seeds and the white of cucumber and every part of the watermelon is very good for the body and added that the best way to eat the fruits and make it function well in the body is to eat it all.

“But first the person must wash the fruit well before eating it. When you eat only the inner part and throw the back and seeds away, the animals will pick them up and eat which cause them to look very fresh. The back part makes the skin look very fresh.”

He advised that when one wants to eat the fruits, he or she should either swallow or chew the seeds. “You can swallow because it is not up to the size of a tablet,” he added.

He noted that swallowing the seeds will not cause harm to the body and that both watermelon and cucumber gives good nutrients and aids excretion.

He warned though that cucumber and watermelon are not medicines. “They cannot be used as drugs when one is sick.”

9 benefits the cucumber and watermelon

Protect your brain

They contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. In addition to improving your memory and protecting your nerve cells from age-related decline, 1fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

Reduce cancer risk

The fruits contain polyphenols called lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), which may help to lower your risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

They also contain phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which also has anti-cancer properties.

Fight inflammation

They may help to “cool” the inflammatory response in the body.

Antioxidant properties

Watermelon and cucumber contain numerous antioxidants, including the well-known vitamin C and beta-carotene. They also contain antioxidant flavonoids, such as quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol, which provide additional benefits.

Cucumber freshens breath

Placing a cucumber slice on the roof of your mouth may help to rid your mouth of odor-causing bacteria. According to the principles of Ayurveda, eating cucumbers may also help to release excess heat in your stomach, which is said to be a primary cause of bad breath.

Manages stress

Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.

Support digestive health

They are rich in two of the most basic elements needed for healthy digestion: water and fiber. If you struggle with acid reflux, you should know that drinking water can help suppress acute symptoms of acid reflux by temporarily raising stomach pH; it’s possible that water-rich cucumbers may have a similar effect.

Maintain healthy weight

The fruits are very low in calories, yet they make a filling snack (one cup of sliced cucumber contains just 16 calories). The soluble fiber in them dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to slow down your digestion. This helps you to feel full longer and is one reason why fiber-rich foods may help with weight control.

Support heart health

They contain potassium, which is associated with lower blood pressure levels. A proper balance of potassium both inside and outside your cells is crucial for your body to function properly.

As an electrolyte, potassium is a positive charged ion that must maintain a certain concentration (about 30 times higher inside than outside your cells) in order to carry out its functions, which includes interacting with sodium to help control nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.

They make a great base for vegetable juice

There are many ways to enjoy the fruits, such as fermented or raw in vinegar-based salads. If you’re looking for something different, cucumbers make an ideal base for your vegetable juice due to their mild flavor and high water content. In fact, a simple juice of cucumber and celery is ideal for those new to juicing.