**4.6 Cardiovascular health benefits of cucumber**

*Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding*

known to elicit health benefits.

**4.2 Body weight management**

protein-rich foods.

**4.4 Management of blood glucose level**

of diabetes, given credence to folkloric claim.

**4.5 Potential anti-cancer health benefit**

**4.3 Bone health**

**4.1 Hydration**

Cucumber has also been reported to modify plasma lipid and act as an analgesic [27]. Cucumbers are good sources of more than 73 different phenolic compounds

On a daily basis, adequate hydration is crucial for healthy living and prevention of diseases especially the likes of constipation and kidney stones. Cucumber is a good source of superior hydration due to high content of water (95%) saturated with naturally-occurring electrolytes. Consumption of cucumbers offers the cells the much-needed hydration and vital nutrients required for optimal cellular functioning, repair and maintenance of membrane integrity [28, 29]. Thus cucumbers can help prevent dehydration during summer time or during and after exercises. Cucumber extract when pharmacologically refined has been reported to have the potential in the treatment of corneal acid burn through its hydrating properties [9].

Cucumbers have high content of dietary fiber and very low calorific value resulting from low carbohydrates and very low amount of protein and fat contents. Consumption of cucumbers can help to heighten satiety and naturally curb appetite, which make it easier to cut down on food intake. Cucumbers also improve digestion because of their high fiber content, and adequate digestion has been linked with easier weight loss. In view of the aforementioned, the cucumber diet has emerged and has been included among many sought-after choices in short-term weight loss therapeutic regimens [1]. However, it should be noted that cucumber diet are usually restrictive in variety and as such must be complemented with some

Cucumber contains calcium, phosphorus and vitamin K. Vitamin K helps to improve calcium absorption. A sufficient intake of these elements has been associated with maintenance of healthy bones that are less likely to fracture especially among the elderly. Put together, these nutrients contribute to good bone health.

Cucumbers have a low score on glycemic index (GI), indicating that they provide important nutrients without or with minimal carbohydrates that can cause a spike in blood glucose level [30]. Besides, a recent report suggested that cucurbitans in cucumber can stimulate the release of insulin and regulate the metabolism of a key hormone in the processing of blood glucose and hepatic glycogen [31]. Put together, this may suggest that cucumbers may help in the control and prevention

Cucumbers contain high levels of triterpen family of phytochemicals known as cucurbitacins. The consumption of cucumber avails us cucurbitacins A, B, C, D, and E, which may help prevent cancer by stopping cancer cells from proliferating and surviving. Cancer research studies have proved that the JAK–STAT and MAPK signaling pathways involved with cancer cell development and survival can be

**42**

There are several processes through which cucumber consumption may elicit cardiovascular benefits. Cucumbers are good sources of dietary fiber, particularly in their skins. Dietary fibers are known to significantly reduce the absorption of dietary cholesterol thus positively modifying the blood lipid profile with an attendant reduction in cholesterol buildup in the arteries. More so, cucumbers provide potassium and magnesium that may contribute to preventing high blood pressure [9, 35, 36]. With 73 different phenolic constituents, cucumber provides protection against oxidative insults for the blood vessels and their vulnerable contents such as low density lipoproteins among others [26].

The cucurbitacins in cucumber may also help prevent atherosclerosis. There have been reports on Cucurbitacin B and E in glycosidic form to exhibit inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation products like malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) [37, 38]. These positive reports bolster the therapeutic role of cucurbitacins in artherosclerosis, which involves modification of lipoproteins by involvement of- MDA and 4-HNE [39].

## **4.7 Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of cucumber**

A good number of phytochemicals present in cucumber have been reported to exhibit antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activities via sparing effect on other antioxidants and/or regulation of antioxidant enzymes in metabolic pathways involved. Small-scale human studies have been conducted using some of these identified phytochemicals in cucumber and found to provide some health benefits [29]. The cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2), a pro-inflammatory enzyme, has been shown to be inhibited by cucumber extract [34]. In addition, antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase showed increased activities in studied participants that consumed cucumber powder. Some studies have shown that cucumber can reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive carbonyl species (RCS), which could be of help in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The high content of phenolic compounds (flavonoids and terpenoids) present in cucumbers may be involved in this probable health benefit by significantly lowering the levels of ROS and RCS. Its high content of fisetin flavonoid gives it the potential anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits [40]. Since cucumbers are rich in phytonutrients, there could be logical theoretical link between their consumption and amelioration of some chronic diseases.

#### **4.8 Other health benefits of cucumber**

The peel and seeds are the nutrient dense parts of cucumber and contain beta-carotene that is good for the eyes [41]. Cucumber provides an alkaline diet, and due to its triterpene content, works well in regulating diseases of the immune system [42]. Majority of alkaline fruits and vegetables like cucumber are also antiinflammatory in nature [43] and thus neutralize the body's acid pH specifically in the kidneys [29].
