Did you know that cucumber originated in India ?, Did you know that Cucumber is actually a fruit and not a vegetable ?

The following are the top 10 things to know about the cucumber:

1. Cucumber originated in India, somewhere in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. From India, it spread to Greece and Italy (where the Romans were especially fond of the crop), and later into China. Records of cucumber cultivation appear in France in the 9th century, England in the 14th century, and in North America by the mid-16th century

2. Cucumbers was also mentioned in the legend of Gilgamesh—a Uruk king who lived around 2,500 BC in what is now Iraq and Kuwait

3. The word "cucumber" comes from the Latin name "cucumis”

4. In the later 17th century in Europe and its colonies, a prejudice developed against uncooked vegetables and fruits that it may cause summer diseases and should be forbidden to children. The cucumber kept this vile reputation for an inordinate period of time: “fit only for consumption by cows”, which some believe is why it gained the name, “cowcumber”

5. 90% of cucumber is water. So conventional agriculture grown cucumbers with heavy pesticides and toxins usage is more susceptible to pesticide residue contamination and food safety issues

6. Cucumbers are available in a wide variety of colours, sizes, shapes and textures. You'll find white, yellow, and even orange-coloured cucumbers, and they may be short, slightly oval, or even round in shape. Their skins can be smooth and thin, or thick and rough.

7. Cucumbers are an excellent source of anti-inflammatory vitamin K and enzyme-cofactor molybdenum. They are also a good source of free radical-scavenging vitamin C; heart-healthy potassium and magnesium, bone-building manganese, and energy-producing vitamin B5. They also contain the important nail health-promoting mineral silica.

8. Cucumbers provide us with a variety of health-supportive phytonutrients. Included among these phytonutrients are flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol), lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), and triterpenes (cucurbitacins A, B, C, and D).

9. Skin and seeds of cucumbers are both rich in nutrients, hence consumption of both skins and seeds is desirable from a nutritional standpoint

10. Cucumbers are very sensitive to heat, hence should be stored in the refrigerator where they will keep for several days. If you do not use the entire cucumber during one meal, place it in a tightly sealed container so that it does not become dried out. While buying cucumber, please watch out for soft spots, especially at ends. Avoid cucumbers with yellow streaks, as they are past their prime

The Healing Power of Organic CUCUMBERS!

The evolution of knowledge that has been accumulating over the years as it relates to Cucumbers seems almost endless.

I recommend juicing 4 to 6 Cucumbers per week. You can combine them with Spinach, Kale, Cilantro, Parsley, Celery, Ginger, Apple, Lemon or Limes for best results.

Now is the time to get those Cucumber seeds in the soil and start growing them for a great summer harvest, and don't forget ORGANIC is always best.

Here are some BENEFITS:

Acidity: Fights Inflammation almost as well as any other food. This juice really does a good job at soothing gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Blood pressure: Helps regular blood pressure, as its trace minerals and traces of sodium benefits help keep the body from dehydration as well.

Connective tissues: Excellent source of Silica. So if you want to keep your connective tissues healthy, drink this frequently. Also the Silica helps make our skin and hair and nails beautiful.

Lower Body Heat: This juice when combined with Celery helps cool the body down from heat stroke or being overheated more than anything we know of.

Diuretic: Helps in the dissolution of kidney stones and helps the body urinate frequently because of its high water content. Great for women who have pre-menstrual tension. Drink a few quarts or liters of this TONIC we posted today and add 8 ribs celery to it, and you will easily lose the bloated feeling most women feel right before their periods.

Inflammation: Cucumber can help eliminate inflammation in joints. This means it also help other inflamed conditions like arthritis, asthma, and gout. 1 Liter per day of this tonic, will help you achieve relief within just a few days.

Skin Conditions: Psoriasis, Eczema, rashes are helped when consuming this tonic for 30 days, 1 liter a day. Add 5 ribs Celery to this tonic to make it even more effective.

14 Reasons You Should Start Eating Cucumber

Cucumbers are number four most cultivated vegetable in the world and known to be one of the best foods for your overall health, often referred to as a super food. Pick a handful of firm, dark green cucumbers and drop them into your shopping cart. Congratulations! You have just bought yourself stuff full of good health.

Cucumber rehydrates body

If you are too busy to drink enough water, eat the cool cucumber, which is 90 percent water. It will cheerfully compensate your water lost.

Cucumber fights heat inside and out

Eating cucumber will get your body relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin and you will get relief from sunburn.

Cucumber eliminates toxins

All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your body. With regular eating, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.

Cucumber replenishes daily vitamins

Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. A B and C, which boost your immune system keep you radiant and give you energy. Make it more powerful by juicing cucumber with spinach and carrot. Don’t forget to leave the skin on because it contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 12 percent of the daily recommended allowance.

Cucumber supplies skin friendly minerals

Cucumber is high in potassium, magnesium and silicon. That is why spas abound cucumber based treatments.

Cucumber aids in digestion and weight loss

Due to its high water and low calorie content, cucumber is an ideal source for people who are looking for weight loss. Use cucumbers in your soups and salads. If it is not your favorite snack you can crunchy cucumber sticks with creamy low fat yogurt dip. Chewing cucumber gives your jaws a good workout and the fiber in it is great for digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as an aid for chronic constipation.

Cucumber revives the eyes

Placing a chilled slice of cucumber over puffy eyes is a clichéd beauty visual but it really can help reduce under-eye bags and puffiness due to its anti inflammatory properties.

Cucumber fights cancers

Cucumber is known to contain secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol. The three lignans have a strong connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including ovarian, breast, prostate and uterine cancer.

Cucumber cures diabetes, reduces cholesterol and controls blood pressure

Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which is widely spread to be beneficial to diabetic patients. Researchers have found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers can help decrease levels of cholesterol. Cucumbers contain a lot of fiber, potassium and magnesium. These nutrients work effectively for regulating blood pressure. That is why cucumber is good for treating both high blood pressure and low blood pressure.

Cucumber refreshes the mouth

Cucumber juice heals and refreshes diseased gums. Get a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for a half minute, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing unpleasant breath.

Cucumber smoothes hair and nails

The wonder mineral Silica in cucumber makes your hair and nails shinier and stronger. The sulfur and silica in cucumbers help to stimulate your hair growth.

Cucumber promotes joint health, relieves arthritis and gout pain

As cucumber is an excellent source of silica it promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. When mixed with carrot juice, cucumber can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering levels of the uric acid.

Cucumber cures hangover

To avoid a morning headache or hangover you can eat a few cucumber slices before going to sleep. Cucumbers contain enough B vitamins, sugar and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients and reducing the severity of both hangover and headache.

Cucumber keeps kidneys in shape

Cucumber lowers uric acid levels in your body and though keeping the kidneys healthy.