Cucumber Gives The Wink In Summer!

Cucumber, which originated from southern Asia, it has, for centuries, been the secret ingredient in retaining youthful appearance and other variety health benefits. Traditionally, cucumber (also known as Cucumis Sativus which belongs to the same family as watermelon and pumpkin) is used as a remedy to treat acne, rheumatic conditions, fluid retention, and alternately a homemade soothing skin lotion.

Cucumber which contains a valuable substance of silica, gives you the key component of healthy connective tissue, notably your muscles, cartilage, ligaments and bone. In addition to that, over 90% of cucumber’s flesh is primarily composed of water but also ascorbic acid (better known as Vitamin C), which gives your skin a natural glowing complexion. The ultimate distinct properties present in the cucumber like potassium, magnesium and fiber, can always be eaten raw, or pickled while greatly reduce the risk of hypertension.

Other known benefits of cucumber:

• Slice fine layers of cucumber and let it rest on your eyes. It has been used traditionally to lighten your dark circles.
• Raw cucumber juice helps to moderate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
  

Partners in Crime: Mint Leaves
Let’s forget the minty moment in your vodka or cocktail. Why not treat yourself with a blend of splashing cool taste to your cucumber juice? After all, summer is arriving sooner than usual if you’ve been exhausted with workloads and micro-managing behaviour from your boss. Mint is known for its tension-releasing property.

Partners in Crime: Lemon (optional for mint skeptics)
It gives your juice creation a zesty kick and considerably the best combination with cucumber juice for cleansing impurities and stimulating process of excess body fat.

Wholemeal bread made good.

If you're craving for quick and low-carb breakfast without much preparation before your morning rush hour, wholemeal bread would probably the healthiest choice as an "always-on-the-go" diet staple (high fibre grain). It's simply wholemeal bread notably made from high fiber grain, contains complex carbohydrates that keeps your body charged up through the whole day.

Among the bread variations such as white bread, croissants, or even french sticks, wheatmeal bread is generally lower in calories and fat. Therefore, it doesn't add extra inch to your waistline. Many nutrition studies on high fibre food have shown that wholegrain or wholemeal food helps to protect against coronary heart diseases and ultimately beneficial for diabetic patients in regulating their blood sugar level.

Image by: freefoto.com

What's my healthy morning treat?
Blueberry spread onto a slice of wholemeal bread would be the perfect nutrient match. Served hot by toasting the bread and savour the fresh smell to kick start your morning with a cup of hot chocolate. *For some may want to replace with high calories jam with "low-sugar blueberry spread" from selected supermarket, mostly organic shops.

Love your heart with tomato

Tomato is known for its lycopene contain which believed to reduce heart related diseases such as high blood pressure. Lycopene is an antioxidant which claimed to be effective in fighting against free radicals. These free radical can potentially cause premature aging, cancer and heart disease.
Recent studies by conducted by researchers in China said that lycopene may be as effective as statins (medications but with undesirable side-effects) in reducing the formation plaque in the arteries that cause atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (loss of elasticity of arterial blood vessels) is a disease affecting the arterial blood vessels due to inefficient macrophages (white blood cells) in removing fat and cholesterol by functional HDL (High Density Lipoprotein).