Cucumber

Introduction

Cucumbers belong to the same plant family as squash, pumpkin, and watermelon (the Cucurbitaceae family). Like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of mostly (95 percent) water, which means eating them on a hot summer day can help you stay hydrated.
However, there's reason to eat cucumbers all year long. With vitamin K, B, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and manganese, cucumbers can help you to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Cucumber contain unique polyphenols and other compounds that may help reduce your risk of chronic disease and much, much more.

Health Benefits

Cucumbers have not received as much press as other vegetables in terms of health benefits, but this widely cultivated food provides us with a unique combination of nutrients. At the top of the phytonutrient list for cucumbers are its cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids. These three types of phytonutrients found in cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. Specific phytonutrients provided by cucumbers include:

• Flavonoids: apigenin, a luleolin, a quercetin, a kaempferol
• Lignans: pinoresinol, lariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol
• Triterpenes: cucurbitacin A, cucurbitacin B, cucurbitacin C, cucurbitacin D

Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory 

Cucumbers are a valuable source of conventional antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. Cucumbers contain numerous flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol.
Quercetin is an antioxidant that many believe prevents  histamine release, making quercetin-rich foods "natural antihistamines." Kaempferol, may help fight cancer and lower the risk of chronic disease including heart disease.

Protect the brain

Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. In addition to improving your memory and protecting your nerve cells from age-related decline, fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer's disease.

Rehydrates body and replenishes daily vitamins

Cucumbers are 95% water, keeping the body hydrated while helping the body eliminate toxins. Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. Don't forget to leave the skin on because the skin contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 10% of the daily-recommended allowance.

Fight Cancers

Cucumber are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These three lignans have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer. They also contain phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which also have anti-cancer properties

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 fiber 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.

Reduces cholesterol and control blood pressure

Researchers found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers may help reduce cholesterol levels. Cucumbers contain a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber. These work effectively for regulating blood pressure. This makes cucumbers good for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure.

Promotes joint health, relieves gout and arthritis pain
Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is known to help promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. They are also rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium. When mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels.

Manage stress
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.

Support heart health
Cucumbers contain potassium, which is associated with lower blood pressure levels. A proper balance of potassium both inside and outside the cells is crucial for body to function properly.
As an electrolyte, potassium is a positive charged ion that must maintain a certain concentration (about 30 times higher inside than outside the cells) in order to carry out its functions, which includes interacting with sodium to help control nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.

Nutrition facts
According to USDA National Nutrient Database, 1 cup of raw sliced cucumber with peel (approximately 119 grams) contains 115 grams of water, 16 calories, 0.8 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat and 2.9 grams of carbohydrate (including 0.9 grams of fiber and 1.8 grams of sugar).
One cup of cucumber provides 11% of vitamin K, 4% of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and manganese and 2% of vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and copper needs for the day.

Source: the world's healthiest food, Natural News, Mercola.com, MNT, hyperbole, Cucumber, The Telegraph

Tomato (part 2)

Tomato is known throughout the world through its many different varieties. Beyond its benefits as a food, its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants provide many additional health benefits; one area where it is especially valuable is its ability to aid in healthy, glowing skin. Tomatoes are a great addition to a reguler beauty regimen, no matter in adding moisture, fighting acne and adding radiance.

Tomatoes are great for the skin as they have cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C making it helpful for acne and brightening dull skin and tomatoes also contain vitamin A which is needed for healthy skin. Its naturally acidic so it helps balance the skin and get rid of excessive oil. There are also many antioxidants in tomatoes.

Lycopene

Not only do tomatoes taste great but they also keep the skin healthy. It is necessary to consume tomatoes as they have lycopene, which is an antioxidant and hence works as a sunscreen from within. These antioxidants make tomato an antiaging product as they help in fighting cellular damage and reddening of skin. It is recommended to have at least 16 miligrams of lycopene per day as they reduce the number of free radicals in the body and also help to retain the moisture in people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned environs.

Skin Care and Acne

Tomatoes are popping with antioxidants, vitamin A and C - which are all good for skin. Pores can get clogged with sebum and the vitamin A will help reduce that sebum. Using tomatoes for regular skin care can also help reduce the size of your pores.

Source: New Health Guide, BBC, The Times Of India, wikiHow, Go Green Street, Valerie Lim, Health me up