Cucumbers and groundnut are two healthy, nutritious, and tasty foods. This fruit and nut go well with each other when eaten as a snack. Many people in Nigeria eat cucumber and groundnuts as a healthy appetizer or snack. Let’s find out the health benefits of cucumber and groundnut.
Cucumbers are scientifically known as Cucumis sativus and belong to the same botanical family as melons and squashes, while groundnut, on the other hand, is botanically called Arachis hypogaea. Although cucumbers are popularly considered as a vegetable, it is actually a fruit. Cucumbers can either be eaten raw, together with other vegetables in our salad, made into juice or eaten as a snack, that is with groundnut in this case.
Nutritional Value and Calorie Content of Cucumbers
Cucumbers are low in calories, have a high water content of about 96%, which helps keep the body hydrated. Other nutrients present are proteins, vitamins, fiber, which are completely taken when unpeeled. [1]
Nutritional Value and Calorie Content of Groundnuts
3.5 ounces of groundnut contains about 567 calories, which means they are high in calories and fat. They contain about 7% of water. Other nutrients present are proteins, carbohydrates, antioxidants, and vitamins. [2]
Health Benefits of Cucumber and Groundnut
We are going to consider the health of cucumbers and groundnuts based on their individual nutritional values:
1. Both are rich in nutrients
As we have considered earlier, cucumbers and groundnuts contain essential nutrients that help to keep the body functioning properly. Vitamin K helps the blood to clot while vitamin A improves vision. The water present in cucumber also helps in the proper circulation of blood and keeping the body hydrated. Groundnuts are also rich in protein, fat, and various healthy nutrients. [3]
2. Improves bodily functions
Groundnut helps in repairing worn out tissues just like other leguminous plants. It also helps in contains a good amount of phosphorus that the human body needs to make proteins necessary for the maintenance of bodily functions, growth, and repairs of certain tissues and cells. Cucumbers also have an impressive amount of vital minerals that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body. [4]
3. Help with weight loss
If you are looking for the perfect snack to add to your weight loss diet, then groundnuts and cucumbers are perfect for you. Cucumbers can help in weight loss since they contain fewer calories and more water. They can be served in our salad or to compliment some dishes. Although groundnuts are high in fat and calories, they do not appear to contribute to weight gain. In fact, nutritional studies have stated that eating groundnuts may help maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of obesity. [5]
4. Boosts your digestive system
Eating cucumbers improve your digestive system and bowel movements. They are rich in fibre and keeps you hydrated, which prevents constipation. Eating cucumbers also helps you go to toilet easily. Cucumber juice also acts as a natural laxative for relieving constipation. Groundnuts are also rich in fibre and might prevent gallstones.
5. Great for the skin
Cucumbers contains silica – which is an essential mineral for good skin. Other nutrients present in cucumber also helps to remove dark circles and blemishes when cut in circles and placed under the eyes. This routine helps rejuvenate the skin. Groundnuts are also good for skin health.
6. Good for pregnant women
You may not have thought or heard that the groundnut could possibly be good for pregnant women. How so, groundnuts contains protein and folate. Folic acid is an essential supplement needed for every pregnant woman to avoid birth defects and to contribute to the proper development of the brain and spine. It is advisable for all pregnant women no matter their diet to consume a good amount of folic acid through the conception period. You could either eat them as fried, roasted, or cooked.
7. Helps you sleep
Having a cucumber and groundnut before your bedtime can calm your nerves, reduce anxiety and stress. As such, it helps in improving your sleep cycle.
8. Reduces blood sugar
It have been proven that cucumbers may help reduce blood sugar, thus, reducing the risk of diabetes and other diabetic complications. Groundnuts have a very low glycemic index (GI), which makes them suitable for people with diabetes. [6]
9. Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants help fight free cancer-causing radicals. Cucumbers are full of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and tannins, which impede the accumulation of harmful free radicals and may reduce the risk of cancer and chronic diseases. Groundnuts also contain a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol, which reduces the risk of cancer and heart diseases. [7] [8]
Eating groundnuts may protect against Alzheimer’s disease, and since peanuts are an excellent source of niacin and vitamin E, both of which have been proven to guard against Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion
Cucumber and groundnut is a cheap and nourishing light snack for both adults and children. They both have amazing, incredible nutritional value and amazing health benefits. You can enjoy the benefits by eating foods like cucumber peanut salad, or as light snacks.
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Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.
