Cucumber is probably among the few vegetables that offer nothing but positive nutritional benefits. The same holds for cucumber water.

One of the most refreshing and hydrating drinks during the summer season is cucumber water. If you have never tried this thirst quencher before, now is the time to do so.

Packed with vitamins and minerals, cucumber water is a great healthy alternative to sodas and sweetened beverages.

Depending on the actual year, Cucumber may or may not be on the list of dirty dozen foods. This notorious list categorizes the foods that contain most of harmful pesticides and other chemicals.

Therefore, to be on the safe side, always purchase your cucumbers organic. Why would you risk drinking anything but pure clean perfect cucumber water anyway?

First let’s see how to prepare your own cucumber water. It’s very simple.

Cucumber Water Recipe

Ingredients:

1. Clear Water (avoid tap water or sparkling water)
2. Several cucumbers cut in slices.
3. Ice
4. Sliced lemon (optional)

Directions:

Start by slicing up the cucumber. Put them in a glass pitcher (avoid plastic containers), pour water and gently mash the slices against the glass container using a spoon. Add some ice cubes on top of them. Leave in your fridge at least a couple of hours or over night for maximum flavor and benefits.

The longer this beverage sits in your fridge, the higher amount of antioxidants and other nutrients will be transferred to the water.

Another option some people are fond of is to use hot water. Pour boiling water over the cucumber and let them soak for 30 minutes. Add ice cubes and some more water, and you cucumber water is prepared much quicker.

Cucumber Water Benefits

Cucumbers are flavonoid rich vegetables. They contain a number of them, including quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and luleolin. They also contain vitamin C, B, K, triterpenes, beta-carotene, molybdenum, manganese, pantothenic acid, copper, potassium, and phosphorus.

In addition, cucumbers contain silica in its biologically active form. Silica is needed by our bodies to make the connective tissue stronger, including the cartilage, skin, and ligaments.

Here are the other health benefits:

Keeps Your Body Hydrated

Drinking enough water every day is a must because your body contains about 65 percent of water. The actual amount differs from one person to another, but you should drink enough. However, plain water can be boring, and it can be difficult to hydrate your body that way. Cucumber water has a great flavor and keeps your body hydrated much better than regular water. On top of that, this is a powerful refreshing drink helping you cope with the summer heat.

Fights Free Radicals

Cucumbers have beta-carotene and also several other flavonoid compounds. They are all known antioxidants. Antioxidants search for free radicals and destroy them, preventing many chronic diseases, for example diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Provides Plenty of Vitamins and Minerals

Cucumbers are packed with nutritional benefits: Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and Vitamin A, Magnesium, and Calcium. By drinking cucumber water you get a good portion of the daily requirement for these nutrients. These minerals also provide a strong alkalizing effect in your body.

Reduces the Risks of Cancer

Cucumbers contain phyto-chemicals that prevent out-of-control cellular division. Recent studies link the lignans in cucumber with reducing the risks of ovarian, uterine, breast, and prostate cancer.

Reduces the Risks of Heart Problems

Cucumber are high in potassium, which is a mineral that helps maintain cardiovascular health. Potassium is especially important for maintaining the normal levels of blood pressure. In addition, cucumbers have plenty of vitamin K. Vitamin K, among the other things, is needed for proper blood clotting.

Detoxifies the Body

This one is pretty logical. The major part of cucumber water is, well, water… so it helps you naturally flush out toxins from your body. In addition, the properties of Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds add to the detox effect.

Beats Bloat

Cucumber water is a natural diuretic. This means, it will help your body get rid of excess water. It sounds weird, but true. Drinking more water helps you flush water. Along with the water, you will flush a lot of toxins and waste and you will feel less bloated.

The Bottom Line

If you don’t already use it, you can learn to enjoy cucumber water along with its health benefits. Or even better yet, you can juice fresh cucumbers or prepare smoothies from them. Cucumbers are packed with minerals, and vitamins, and if you prepare smoothies, you will also get a lot of dietary fiber.

Cucumber water is a nutritious drink that can be easily stored or carried with wherever you go. So now you have no excuse to hydrate your body more and feel active and fresh all the time.