The simple cucumber is truly a useful food source. Not only is this little green guy great for you health and wellness, but it also holds the key to a variety of beauty treatments. Cucumbers are part of the gourd family, but are actually considered a fruit.
They aren’t a vegetable like most people think due to the fact that they grow from a flowered plant and have seeds. The ways you can add cucumbers to your lifestyle is endless. Here are a few examples of why the beauty of cucumbers is easy to see.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
One of the reasons that cucumbers are good for your health is that they are chock full of water. That means when added to meals it’s a filling way to consume a minimal amount of calories. There have also been some studies that show a compound in cucumber might even prevent certain types of cancer. Plus, the lignan in the cuke could fight cardiovascular disease. They also contain a high amount of Vitamin K, which is sometimes hard to get in other foods, but can contribute to stronger bone health.
There are endless ways to add cucumbers to your daily meals. You can blend them into green smoothies in the morning. Chop them up for salads at lunch. Or you can make a tasty cucumber salsa to have on top of grilled fish for dinner. As a snack you can just eat them with a side of greek yogurt or hummus for an extra serving of protein to keep you fuller longer.
Don’t forget as well that if you love the flavor of cucumbers, you can easily slice some up to put in your water. If this will encourage you to drink more water for beneficial hydration then do so on a daily basis.
For Zen Spa Appeal
Everyone has seen in movies and on television people using cucumber slices on their eyes. This is actual quite a perfect use for them. When refrigerated you can slice them up, and lay them on your eyes to reduce puffiness in the morning.
You can also make a hydrating facial mask by blending one cucumber with half of an avocado. Then apply to your face for 20 minutes and rinse off. Your skin will feel nourished and smooth.
In Skin Care Treatments
Many manufactured skin care treatments contain cucumber. Mario Badescu makes a Cucumber Cleansing Lotion that can help control shine in the t-zone. They actually have quite a few products that contain cucumber including their Cucumber Tonic Mask, Cucumber Makeup Remover, and Special Cucumber Lotion that can help prevent acne.
Another skin care company to jump on the cucumber bandwagon is Kiehl’s. The Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner is one of their oldest and best selling products. This toner can even be used for dry and sensitive skin. It was developed back in the 60’s, so this time tested method of using cucumbers in skin care products was evident even back then.
However you choose to add those little green fruits to your lifestyle is going to benefit you in so many ways. Get started on your cucumber beauty journey by grabbing a large bag at your farmer’s market today.
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