Cucumber

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Jason says...

Cucumber makes a very cooling juice and forms a staple in pretty much most of my juices.

Juice or smoothie?

It is always best to juice cucumber, but always leave the skin on as this is where most of the nutrition is to be found.

Juicy Factoids

The saying 'as cool as a cucumber' comes from the fact that a cucumber has the impressive ability to be about 20 degrees cooler inside than the outside air temperature on a hot day.

Technically cucumber are a fruit as they contain all the seeds needed for reproduction.

Juicy Benefits

Cucumbers are one of the best natural diuretics there is, meaning you need to release more urine. This in turn effects the distribution of fluid in the body and the watery portion of the blood is decreased. This has a knock on effect of reducing the pressure within the blood vessels, which in turn reduces high blood pressure.

Cucumbers have a very high, nutrient rich water content, making them superb for the hair, nails and skin as well as helping to regulate the body's temperature, so cucumber juice is excellent for when you have a fever.

Cucumbers contain a high quantity of silica which is the mineral responsible for strengthening the connective tissue which holds the body together including bones, tendons, ligaments, muscle and cartilage. Without silica connective tissue would not form properly. Silica is also important for adding elasticity to the skin and is therefore great for the complexion.

Cucumber juice reduces the high uric acid content that causes inflammation in degenerative diseases such as rheumatism and arthritis, making it a natural anti-inflamatory.

Vitamins, minerals and extras

  • A, B, C, beta-carotene, K, folic acid
  • Sodium, silica, manganese, sulphur, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium
  • Amino acids methionine and tryptophan

References
Pinnock, Dale, 2011, Medical Cookery, Right Way, London.
Jensen, Bernard.Dr, 2000, Juicing Therapy, Keats Publishing, Illinois.
Meyerowitz, Steve, 2000, Power Juices Super Drinks, Kensington Books, New York.
www.enwikipedia.org
www.juicebenefits.net
www.healthalternatives2000.com

Can be found in the following recipes

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