You probably already know that sipping cucumber water is healthier than drinking water alone, but that’s not the sole reason to prep a pitcher of this simple infused beverage that feels surprisingly like a treat. But what exactly are the health benefits of cucumber water? And why should you make infused waters part of your daily wellness plan?
The most obvious reason is that hydration is vital to good health, and since infused waters taste nice, chances are you’ll drink more throughout the day. The fact that you’ll feel a little like you’re relaxing at a luxury day spa every time you take a sip is just a bonus.
In this post, I’ll discuss why you should make cucumber water part of your wellness plan. I’ll also share ideas for infused cucumber water recipes, tips for selecting the perfect cucumber, and some fascinating cucumber facts. I’ve also compiled a list of questions people have asked me about why it’s such a healthy drink that I have answered through expert references.
The Many Health Benefits of Cucumber Water
Is cucumber water good for you? Absolutely! Is it easy to make? It sure is.
1. It Keeps You Hydrated
We all know that drinking enough water is a major wellness DO, but chugging down plain tap water all day long gets pretty boring, pretty quickly. Deliciously infused waters make it easier to drink your six to eight glasses before bedtime rolls around. Plus, cucumbers have a high water content of about 95%. You’ll be surprised how energetic you feel when you’re truly hydrated.
2. Cucumber Water Is Good for Your Muscles
Surprised? Cucumbers contain silica, a trace mineral necessary to keep connective tissue healthy. When you infuse your workout water with a few slices of cucumber, you’re getting a little infusion of silica along with that bright, fresh flavor and meeting some fitness needs.
3. It Boosts Bone Health
Cucumbers are rich in vitamin K, which helps transport calcium to bones. Just one unpeeled cucumber contains about 22% of your daily recommended intake, so feel free to nibble on the cukes in your glass of cucumber water.
You’ll also reap the benefits of the silica and manganese minerals in cucumbers — both of which can also help strengthen your bones and possibly even lower your risk of developing osteoporosis.
4. Cucumber Water Is Good for Your Skin
Staying hydrated is the number one key to beautiful skin, but the silica and antioxidants in cucumbers can also help skin stay clear and prevent breakouts. The pantothenic acid or Vitamin B-5 in cucumbers may also calm acne when you wash your face with cucumber-infused water or apply the chilled cucumbers from your glass directly to any areas of redness or inflammation. Vitamin K, as mentioned above, is also an essential nutrient for skin health.
5. It Is Low in Calories
An entire cucumber averages about 45 calories, which means that sliced cucumbers in your water won’t add many additional calories. Freshly infused cucumber water has a vibrant flavor but is so much better for you than sports drinks or soda and more appropriate for any weight loss program.
6. It’s Full of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are powerful nutrients that can prevent or even repair cell damage that can lead to illness. Cucumbers are rich in Vitamin C, manganese (a key part of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase), beta-carotene, molybdenum (which activates antioxidant enzymes), and other flavonoid antioxidants.
7. Drinking Cucumber Water Supports Brain Health
Did you know that cucumber may boost your brainpower? Cucumbers also contain a flavonol called fisetin that, in studies, has been shown to keep aging mice (even those prone to Alzheimer’s) from developing memory loss and learning deficits.
We don’t know yet whether it can do the same in people, but even the possibility has inspired me to sip more of it.
8. Cucumber Water Is a Detox Drink
I’ve been encouraged to drink cucumber water and other infused waters, like lemon water, during my juice cleanses. This is why cucumber lemon water is so popular. They are a natural diuretic and detox water, which helps the body to pass toxins through urine.
And if you nibble a little cucumber while you drink, the fiber in this super vegetable will sweep toxins from your digestive system, too.
9. It Lowers Blood Pressure
Cucumbers are a good source of potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure. When you drink cucumber water, the potassium will help your body eliminate the excess sodium that can contribute to high blood pressure.
10. Cucumber Water Curbs the Appetite
One of the best benefits of drinking cucumber water is that it helps you feel full, which makes waiting for your next meal more bearable. Plain water alone won’t necessarily help you kick your between-meal cravings. The fresh flavor of infused water, however, can trick your brain and belly into thinking you’ve had a snack, so you’re less tempted to grab a bag of chips between meals.
11. It May Help Prevent Cancer
There is research that suggests cucumbers could help in the fight against cancer! Antioxidants like those found in cukes may prevent cancer, and they also contain compounds called cucurbitacins along with a group of nutrients called lignans — both of which may play a role in stopping cancers before they can start or slowing the progression of certain cancers. A recent study suggested that dietary flavonoid fisetin, which is found in cucumbers, might help slow prostate cancer progression.
12. It’s (Usually) Inexpensive
Cucumbers are the fourth most widely cultivated vegetable in the world. However, organic cucumbers cost a bit more relative to other organic fruits and vegetables, but they are generally less expensive than other veggies.
13. It Fits Various Diets Like Keto, Gluten-Free Diets, and Vegan
If you have dietary restrictions, you’ll likely be able to enjoy glasses of water with cucumber slices in them.
14. Guests Love It
It’s so easy to add some extra “wow” to your table with a beautiful pitcher or carafe of chilled cucumber water. This will make even an impromptu afternoon get-together with friends feel just a little luxurious!
When I have time to prep, I include cucumbers in a sparkling water bar so guests can make their own infused waters with various fruits and herbs, like fresh mint leaves. I’m also a fan of using mason jars for infused water.
15. And, Finally, It’s Delicious!
Too many of us skip plain water and reach for sugary coffees, sports drinks, and sodas when we feel thirsty. This tasty beverage has a fresh but subtle flavor that you’ll love. And you might just drink more water if it tastes good.
How to Select a Cucumber for Your Infused Water
Cucumbers should be firm, not wrinkly, and a medium to dark green color. Grocery stores sometimes put an edible wax on the skins of fruits and vegetables that otherwise might store poorly. English cucumbers are popular but, truthfully, any kind will work.
This wax helps retain moisture and serves as a barrier to bacteria and algae, but the texture leaves a lot to be desired and the wax can make the cucumber’s skin look unpleasant.
However, there is so much good stuff in cucumber skin that I can’t recommend peeling organic cucumbers. Conventional waxed cucumbers might retain more chemicals than organic waxed cucumbers. I peel conventional cucumbers.
How to Make Cucumber Water
You don’t really need a recipe because you can make it to taste. However, here is a rough guideline and a few easy to make drink recipes that involve minimal prep time.
Easy Cucumber Water Recipe
Sure, it takes just a few minutes to fill a pitcher (or glass) of water and slice a few cucumbers into it. However, cucumber water and other infused waters will be far more refreshing after it sits in the refrigerator for several hours.
Ingredients
- One medium cucumber
- Large pitcher of water (60 oz)
- Ice cubes if you need to serve immediately
- Lemon, lime, mint, strawberries or other ingredients (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the cucumber and slice it into 1/4–1/2" slices.
- Place as much sliced cucumber as you like into a pitcher.
- Reserve a few extra cucumber slices for garnishes.
- Place other optional ingredients into the pitcher.
- Fill the pitcher with water.
- Let the flavor infuse into the water by leaving it at room temperature for 1-2 hours or in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours before drinking.
- Strain the cucumbers out of the water (or leave them in, if you like).
- Garnish the glass with a cucumber slice or let a slice or two simply float in the water.
Notes
Don't leave cucumbers in the water for more than 12 hours as they will tend to soften. In fact, a good rule of thumb is if you have any infused water left over after a day, remove all fruit and herbs before refrigerating the rest.
I also prefer infused water to be cold, so if you don't have time to chill the water in advance, pour it over ice cubes.
Cucumber Infused Water + Plus Other Ingredients
Who says you need to limit infused water to just cucumber slices? Other fruits and herbs definitely add extra flavor to a glass of cucumber water to make it even more of a refreshing drink. Add these flavor variations to the above cucumber water recipe:
- lemon slices
- lime
- orange
- fresh mint leaves
- strawberry
- kiwi
- rosemary sprigs
- thyme
- lemon verbena
- lavender
- watermelon
- raspberries
- mint
The most popular combinations in my house are cucumber lemon water and cucumber watermelon water. I have an unruly mint plant in my backyard, so I sometimes add a few sprigs to make cucumber mint water. If you can keep these ingredients in the kitchen, you’ll always have access to the health benefits of cucumber water.
Interesting Facts About the Cucumber
Cucumbers originated in India and were introduced to Europe by Greeks or Romans. They are listed among the foods eaten in ancient Ur and are referenced in the legend of Gilgamesh. Christopher Columbus brought them to the Americas in 1494.
Today, Americans eat about seven and a half pounds of cucumbers each year, and World Cucumber Day is June 14th.
FAQs About Cucumber Water
HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP CUCUMBERS IN WATER?
Cucumber can be infused overnight (or for up to 12 hours), at which point you should remove the cucumber from the water. Then your infused water can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, I’ve been known to leave cucumbers in our refrigerated jug at home for a few days.
How long is cucumber water good for?
If you choose to leave your cucumbers in water, in my experience, the cucumbers will start to go soft and get a little strange the following day. They’re still edible and taste fine. If you leave them in for longer, the water may start to fog up which is not ideal. You’ll want to throw it out if this happens.
How much cucumber should I put in my water?
There’s no one perfect amount of cucumber. You’ll get the health benefits of drinking cucumber water whether you add a little or a lot as long as you let your cucumber water infuse for a few hours.
Is cucumber water a detox drink?
Cucumbers are very nutrient-rich and contain loads of vitamins and minerals, which is why sipping a glass of cucumber water helps you to stay hydrated while detoxing. The more hydrated you are, the faster your body can flush toxins from your system.
Does cucumber water help you lose weight?
Drinking healthy flavored water is a great way to wean yourself off of sugary sodas, sports drinks, and juices — all of which are high in calories and are known to contribute to obesity.
It’s also a lot better for you than diet sodas.
Staying hydrated will help you feel more satisfied throughout the day, so you’re less prone to snacking. And finally, drinking chilled cucumber water can even boost the number of calories you burn every day! So while it doesn’t directly lead you to lose weight, its ancillary perks can help.
Is lemon and cucumber water good for you?
Yes. Lemon and cucumber water is good for you and one of the most popular infused water combinations. Lemons have health benefits and add Vitamin C and essential minerals to the water. In combination with cucumber’s Vitamin K and antioxidants, you’re getting a by adding both fruits.
Is cucumber a diuretic?
Yes, cucumbers are a natural diuretic that helps reduce puffiness and swelling internally and topically, which is why people place slices on their eyes. People who have trouble with fluid retention in their feet and legs turn to cucumber for a snack.
Is cucumber water good for you?
Yes, cucumber water is good for you because you’re adding important nutrients like silica and antioxidants to otherwise plain water. The flavor of cucumber water may also prompt people who don’t drink enough water to drink more in lieu of sugary drinks and caffeine.
What is cucumber water good for?
Cucumber water is good for keeping you hydrated but also for your skin and muscles thanks to its silica and antioxidants. Vitamin K in cucumbers helps transport calcium to bones and a flavonol called fisetin supports brain health.
Can cucumber help you lose belly fat?
Sipping cucumber water and nibbling on cucumber slices can definitely help you lose stubborn belly fat because it helps to reduce bloat and constipation.
See also: Are There More Health Benefits in Lemon or Lime Water? and Turmeric Lemon Water: Your Daily Detox Drink
What other fruits and herbs do you add to your water? If there is a cucumber water recipe featuring an ingredient other than those above you love, please share in the comments!
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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