Cucumber Health Benefits in Cancer Conditions

Does Cucumber Help In Treating Cancer 


Recent studies have shown that cucumber can treat cancer and diabetes. The gene responsible for that bitter taste in the wild cucumbers has been found to cure cancer and diabetes. That bitter taste is also found in pumpkin, melon, watermelon and squash. The bitter taste is due to a compound called cucurbitacins. The high content of water present in cucumber makes it an ideal vegetable to eat. Almost 96 percent of cucumber is water. Even though cucumber has fewer vitamins and minerals than most of the other fruits and vegetables, they possess many other properties that have huge health benefits. A lot of research is going on to find the actual benefits of this vegetable. It has been found that the wild cucurbits, found in China and India, is used to treat emetics, purgatives and liver disease. Now, studies have shown that the fruits and leaves of these plants are found to kill and suppress the growth of cancer cells. 
. 
Is cucumber good for cancer?

 This is a common question that has been asked over the years. Here are some of the reasons why eating cucumber helps in treating cancer and diabetes. Take a look.   Bitterness The bitterness in these plants are controlled by two genetic traits -- Bi and Bt. The Bi helps with the bitterness of the whole plant and the Bt leads to the bitterness of fruit. These bitter compounds have medicinal properties. There are many studies that are trying to identify and replicate the DNA that is associated with this bitterness. Cucurbitacin Nine genes are identified to make the cucurbitacin. There are 2 transcription factors that switch on these nine genes. Cucurbitacin is the major contributor in making cucumber effective in treating cancer and diabetes.  Lignans There are 3 lignans that are found in cucumber. These are very important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and a few certain types of cancer. Pinoresinol, one of the lignans, has shown to suppress the growth of the leukemia cells. Is cucumber good for cancer? No doubt, it is.  Saponin This chemical is found in cucumber. This acts like a natural cure for diabetes. This will unclog the tissues, therefore allowing the insulin and the glycogen to enter the cells. This will reduce the sugar levels in the urine. The cucumber will help dissolve the fat in the tissues. This is one of the reasons why cucumber is good for diabetes. Cucumber in diet Potassium, vitamin K and Vitamin C are found in plenty in the cucumbers. This is a low-carb diet, which is good for people who have diabetes. In fact, this is one of the best vegetables for a healthy diet. This can be used in salads or consumed as a juice. Hence, the anti-cancer properties of cucumber makes it a healthy choice for your diet.

Cucumbers can help treat cancer, inflammation and dehydration

Cucumbers seem to have a mixed reputation in the natural health world. A lot of people assume that these cylindrical green fruits, which originated from southern Asia but are now cultivated worldwide, are lacking in the nutrition department because they are comprised of approximately 96 percent water.

While it is true that cucumbers contain fewer vitamins and minerals than most other fruits and vegetables, they do possess other properties that make them a worthwhile addition to our diet. In fact, cucumbers are one of the most heavily studied fruits in the West, and new research demonstrating their considerable health benefits continues to emerge every year.

Rich in disease-fighting lignans and cucurbitacins

Cucumbers are rich in three lignans -- pinoresinol, lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol -- that are proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. For example, a study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases in 2010 found that these three lignans could "lower vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which could have some implications in CVD prevention."(1) A study published three years later in Nutrition and Cancer also found that pinoresinol could suppress the growth of human leukemia cells.(2)

Cucumbers are also high in a group of phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which are known for their anti-cancer benefits. For example, a 2013 research paper entitled "Cucurbitacins -- A Promising Target for Cancer Therapy" found that cucurbitacins exhibited antitumor activity in human cancer cell lines.(3) These results contribute toward the growing evidence that cucumbers are effective cancer-fighting foods.

Packed with anti-inflammatory flavonoids

Cucumbers are rich in four flavonoids called quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol and luteolin. According to a review featured in Inflammation Research, flavonoids can possess anti-inflammatory properties due to "antioxidant activity, inhibition of eicosanoid generating enzymes or the modulation of the production of proinflammatory molecules." (4) Therefore, eating more cucumbers could help protect us from serious inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

Can help treat dehydration

According to a report in Medical Daily, up to 75 percent of the American population could be suffering from chronic dehydration.(5) Unsurprisingly, such long-term dehydration can lead to a huge number of health conditions ranging from chronic fatigue to full-blown kidney failure.

While cucumbers should not (and could not) be a substitute for pure drinking water, these watery fruits can help rehydrate the body, aid saliva production and help flush the colon of accumulated waste. A study published in Fitoterapia even noted that cucumbers could -- due to their cooling properties -- alleviate the pain associated with sunburn.(6)

Contain small amounts of nutrients

Though far from being nutrient-dense, cucumbers do contain some essential vitamins and minerals. Half a cup of sliced cucumber supplies our bodies with approximately 11 percent of our recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin K, an important blood-booster, and between 1 and 2 percent of our RDA of numerous other nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and some B vitamins.(7) Most of these nutrients are found in the peel, so ensure that you purchase fresh, organic cucumbers whenever possible for maximum benefits.