Benefits of Cucumber Water

Cucumber Water (also called cucumber infused water and cucumber detox water) is one of those popular hydration drinks served at health spas across the country.  The great thing about drinking cucumber water is – not only is it refreshing and tastes great, but there’s a lot of nutritional Benefits of Cucumber Water.

Cucumber Detox Water is a refreshing healthy alternative to drinking sodas, teas, and other sugary drinks, and it’s so simple to make.

Water is crucial for the human body. It acts as a carrier for nutrients and aids in the process of waste elimination. It’s essential to our health and well-being to properly stay hydrated. We can often get dehydrated through the night while we sleep, so replenishing fluids first thing in the morning is good idea. In order to stay properly hydrated, we need to drink water throughout the day, but that can be a bit challenging and a tad boring. Adding slices of cucumber with lemon to our water adds a nice pop of flavor which makes drinking 6-8 glass of water daily (depending on your level of health and activity) a little easier to do. (1)

Cucumber Water Recipe

It’s best to use organic produce and filtered or mountain spring water when making this cucumber detox water (if possible)

• English hot house or garden
• Small lemon
• Water (filtered or sparkling)

Variations

• Add sprigs of mint, pieces of  peeled watermelon, strawberries, orange and lime slices instead of lemon slices.

Directions

This is one of those super easy homemade hydration drinks to make.

• Pour water into a pitcher or carafe.
• Add slices of cucumber and lemon to the water.
• Refrigerate and drink throughout the day.
• Discard cucumber and lemon by end of the day. The fruit will become plump and swollen and it’ll make the water have a strong flavor if left in overnight.

Cucumber Lemon Water

Cucumber lemon water is another popular infused water to drink.  Lemon adds such a refreshing pop of flavor that goes nicely with cucumber.  If you want to take advantage of the full nutritional Benefits of Cucumber Water, these Hydrating Lemon Cucumber Ice Cubes are made by blending peeled cucumber and lemon juice. They’re so good (I make these a lot)!!! Besides adding these cucumber lemon ice cubes to your drinking water, rub them on your face in the morning to reduce puffiness.  Just be sure to keep away from your eyes, as there is acidic lemon in them.

Is Cucumber Water Good For You

Adding cucumber infused water to your daily wellness plan can help boost metabolism, promote weight loss, increase energy and stimulate the detoxifying process.   Adding cucumber and other fresh fruit and herbs to water not only provides flavor but adds important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that you don’t get with plain water. There’s no scientific evidence that infused water detoxifies the body or makes it more alkaline.  However, drinking water helps to promote overall health. (1)(2)

• Provides more energy
• Helps to suppress appetite
• Aids digestion
• Helps to burn fat and remove waste from the body (natural detoxifying process)
• Carries nutrients and oxygen to our cells
• Helps regulate blood pressure
• Stabilize heartbeat
• Regulates electrolytes
• Cushions joints
• Protects organs
• Healthier skin

Cucumber for Weight Loss

Cucumbers are low in calories and high in fiber. Some studies suggest that an increase in water consumption may help with weight loss due to the breakdown of body fat and the feeling of satiation, so we will be likely to consume less food.   There is an association between chronic dehydration and elevated levels of the hormone angiotensin II (AngII) which is associated with not only weight gain and obesity but many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. (3) (4)

• Cucumber is made up of about 95% water, which helps keep the body hydrated. 
• Greater water consumption correlates with weight loss.
• Since cucumbers are low in calories, carbs, and fat and high in fiber, they make a smart addition to any weight loss plan.
• Cucumber is also rich with fiber and the seeds act as diuretic that help pass urine and flush out excess waste and toxins. Drinking cucumber detox water is an easy way to take advantage of cucumber’s detoxification benefits.
• A diet rich in cucumber will promote a clean gut, a healthy digestive system and possible weight loss. 

Cucumber for Skin

Cucumber provides anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe the skin and give it a healthy rejuvenated glow.  It’s an excellent source of silica, and silica is a key ingredient in collagen creation, which promotes healthy skin, hair and nails.  Silica is a trace mineral essential to our bones strength and density. (5)  

Importance of Hydration

Drinking water is important to keep each system in our body functioning properly. Staying hydrated helps to carry nutrients and oxygen to our cells, promotes digestion, normalizes blood pressure, regulates body temperature, stabilizes the heartbeat, helps balance electrolytes, strengthens immune system, cushions joints, protects organs and tissues, stimulates metabolism and aids weight loss. (6) (7) (8) (9)(10) (11)

Tips To Help You Stay Hydrated

I personally think the best way to stay hydrated is to make it fun. Here are a few ideas to help you stay hydrated.

1. Take a bottle of water with you wherever you go
2. Add fresh fruit, berries and herbs to your water bottle or glass of water
3. Drink cucumber infused water (and other infused waters) out of pretty wine glasses
4. Get in the habit of making fruit flavored ice cubes and keeping a variety of flavors in freezer bags in your freezer so you can conveniently make flavored water
5. Whenever you finish drinking a bottle of water (or glass of water) reach for another one to drink
6. Drink water instead of drinking sugary and high calorie sodas, sports drinks and sweetened coffee
7. Consume water-rich foods.  Besides drinking water and other liquids for hydration, there are many fruits and vegetables that are water-rich foods that we can consume for hydration  like celery (95% water), lettuce (96% water), watermelon (92% water) and cucumber (95% water).

Signs of Dehydration

Some people are at a greater risk for dehydration, such as athletes who are in training and perform endurance events, people with chronic illnesses, infants, children and seniors. Dehydration in the elderly is quite common. Adding flavor ice to a glass of water may make water more appealing for them to drink. Here are some of the more common symptoms of dehydration:

• Fatigue
• Lack of energy
• Foggy thinking
• Dry mouth (cracked lips)
• Constipation
• Headache
• Sunken eyes
• Shriveled skin 
• Dark urine
• Weakened immune system (frequent colds and slow would healing)

Dehydrating Foods

Each of us can run the risk of dehydration if we consume certain foods that may lead to or exasperate dehydration, such:

• Alcohol
• Salty snacks
• Sugary snacks
• Soy sauce
• Fast foods
• Fried foods

More Hydration Drinks

• Refreshing Detox Water
• Fruit Infused Water
• Pineapple Detox Water
• Best Flavored Water
• Lemon Water
• Hydrating Lemon Cucumber Ice Cubes
• Immune Boosting Whole Lemon Ice Cubes
• Anti Inflammatory Ginger Ice Cubes