Nutrition Fact For The Week: Cucumber

     Cucumbers can do wonders for the outside of your body.  From getting rid of under eye bags to tightening up your skin.  But they can also be beneficial to the inside of your body! Even though fresh cucumbers are composed of mostly water they still have a lot of nutrition packed into them.  The inside of cucumbers is a very good source of vitamins A, C, and folic acid. The hard skin is rich in fiber and minerals including magnesium, silica, molybdenum, and potassium.  Most people know you need a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, but usually the vitamins are talked about more.

            Silica is a mineral many people have not heard of let alone know what it does for the body.  It is necessary for many bodily functions and metabolic reactions.  It is important in the development of the skeletal system.  Without it, there are bone deformities.  If you break or fracture a bone silica helps deposit minerals into the bone and speed up healing.  Silica also helps the body process phosphorous. Phosphorous is important in making bones, repairing tissue and filtering waste.    This nifty mineral helps your outsides too.  Silica is one of the primary components of collagen, the connective tissues for your skin. It may help to retain moisture and keep you looking younger.  It is a major element in hair and nails. If you have enough silica in your body, you have the building blocks for strong, healthy nails and hair.

Another good thing about cucumbers is that they can be transformed into another yummy food…pickles! They do lose some of their nutrients in the pickling process, however.  Also they sometimes have sugar and other additives that can add calories.  Fresh, raw cucumbers with their skin are best.  So to keep your body happy, inside and out, grab some cucumbers :)