GOD'S FOOD: CUCUMBER BENEFITS

God's love for human beings is unfailing for He shows us how much He cares by giving us food such as cucumbers to help us combat our sickness such as cancer, bad eyesight, skin problems, high blood pressure, etc.

Cucumber

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant originated from India and is a fruit but eaten as a vegetable. It is found in most of the continents and considered as a creepiing vine and grows on trellis.

China produce most of the global output of cucumber and gherkin. Turkey, Russia, Iran and the United States follow next.

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Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy 65 kJ (16 kcal)
Carbohydrates 3.63 g
- Sugars 1.67 g
- Dietary fibre 0.5 g
Fat 0.11 g
Protein 0.65 g
Thiamine (Vit. B1) 0.027 mg (2%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.033 mg (2%)
Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.098 mg (1%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.259 mg (5%)
Vitamin B6 0.040 mg (3%)
Folate (Vit. B9) 7 mg (2%)
Vitamin C 2.8 mg (5%)
Calcium 16.0 mg (2%)
Iron 0.28 mg (2%)
Magnesium 13.0 mg (4%)
Phosphorus 24.0 mg (3%)
Potassium 147.0 mg (3%)
Zinc 0.20 mg (2%)

Cucumbers are recommended for breast cancer - Food for Breast Cancer

Like watermelons, pumpkins, zucchini and other types of squash, cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) belong to the cucurbitaceae (gourd) family. Cucumbers have a high water content and are low in calories and relatively low in nutrients compared to most other vegetables. The flesh of the cucumber contains some vitamin C and vitamin A. Cucumber components which have been shown to have some anticancer activities include fisetin, lutein, caffeic acid and cucurbitacins. The skin of the cucumber is a source of dietary fiber and contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and molybdenum. Cucumbers have been shown to have some antioxidant activities, but these are low compared to those of intensely colored vegetables and do not appear to be the source of its apparent anticancer properties. Cucumber consumption may help reduce cholesterol. Cucumber fruit and leaf extracts have been found to be useful in lightening and soothing the skin, and to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea.

Consumption of cucumbers has been found to be associated with lower risk of lung cancer among tin miners in China.

Breast cancer-related effects of eating cucumbers

Caffeic acid has been shown to have antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on human breast cancer cells in the laboratory. A Korean case-control study comparing the diets of breast cancer patients with a healthy control group of women found that the breast cancer patients consumed a significantly lower quantity of vegetables, including cucumbers, than the control group. A Greek study also found that women with breast cancer consumed significantly less cucumber than those without breast cancer. A Swiss study found that consumption of cucumbers, among other fruits and vegetables, was associated with significant protection against breast cancer.

Cucumber is also good for the complexion for the silica in cucumber is essential for healthy connective issue like muscles, cartilage, tendons and bone. It also helps swelling under the eyes and sunburn.

Adding a crunchy cool cucumber to your salads is an especially good way to increase your fiber intake. Cucumbers contain vitamin C, silica, potassium and magnesium which is good for healthy skin.

Other benefits include the following.

• Can be used as a drink or mixed drink.
• Eases and reduces the sunburn.
• Good for eating raw and use it as a salad.
• Helpful for reducing swollen eyes.

We cannot doubt God's love for His people for He provides different foods to help us in our sickness. God had foresight when He created different herbs, vegetables and fruits to help us combat and overcome the diseases that fall upon men.

I have written hubs about the acai berry, aloe vera, asparagus, avocado, barley, blueberry, bitter gourd, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cayenne pepper, celery, fig, goji, kiwi fruit, lemon grass, longan, mangosteen, olive, onion, papaya, reishi or ling zhi mushrooms, wheat.

The articles are accessed through my profile. http://hubpages.com/profile/einron