Cucumbers are “fruits” of a creeping vine and usually contains more than 90 per cent of water — but is generally considered a vegetable.

The term “cool as a cucumber” is actually derived from the cucumber’s ability to cool the temperature of the blood. Also when applied topically, cucumber really does cool the blood and eases facial swelling, which is why cucumbers are so popular in facial regimens. Here are some cool facts about the cucumber:

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[naviga:li]Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins. It keeps the body hydrated while helping it eliminate toxins. Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day.

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[naviga:li]It can be used for skin irritations and sunburns. Place a slice over puffy eyes and its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness. The silicon and sulfur in cucumbers help to stimulate hair growth.

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[naviga:li]Cucumbers are known to contain lignans, which reduce the risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer.

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[naviga:li]Cucumber eliminates bad breath. Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

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[naviga:li]Cucumber helps with hangovers (not that teens should have one). (When you are older) To avoid a morning hangover or headache, eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients, reducing the intensity of both a hangover and a headache.

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[naviga:li]The vegetable aids in weight loss and digestion. Due to its low calorie and high water content, cucumber is an ideal diet for people who are looking for weight loss. The high water content and dietary fibre in cucumbers are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from the digestive system, aiding digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation.

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[naviga:li]Cucumber juice is a diuretic, it encourages waste removal through urination. This also helps in the dissolution of kidney stones.

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[naviga:li]The temperature regulating properties in cucumber juice makes it a suitable drink when you have a fever.

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[naviga:li]Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. Cucumbers contain numerous antioxidants, including the well-known vitamin C and beta-carotene. Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.

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There are various dishes that cucumber can be added to. It is not only tasty, but you will doing your body a favour! Happy eating.

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