Does Cucumber Help In Treating Cancer & Diabetes?

Recent studies have shown that cucumber can treat cancer and diabetes. The gene responsible for that bitter taste in the wild cucumbers has been found to cure cancer and diabetes. That bitter taste is also found in pumpkin, melon, watermelon and squash. The bitter taste is due to a compound called cucurbitacins.

The high content of water present in cucumber makes it an ideal vegetable to eat. Almost 96 percent of cucumber is water. Even though cucumber has fewer vitamins and minerals than most of the other fruits and vegetables, they possess many other properties that have huge health benefits. A lot of research is going on to find the actual benefits of this vegetable.

It has been found that the wild cucurbits, found in China and India, is used to treat emetics, purgatives and liver disease. Now, studies have shown that the fruits and leaves of these plants are found to kill and suppress the growth of cancer cells. It also cures diabetes.

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Is cucumber good for cancer? This is a common question that has been asked over the years. Here are some of the reasons why eating cucumber helps in treating cancer and diabetes. Take a look.

Bitterness
The bitterness in these plants are controlled by two genetic traits -- Bi and Bt. The Bi helps with the bitterness of the whole plant and the Bt leads to the bitterness of fruit. These bitter compounds have medicinal properties. There are many studies that are trying to identify and replicate the DNA that is associated with this bitterness.

Cucurbitacin
Nine genes are identified to make the cucurbitacin. There are 2 transcription factors that switch on these nine genes. Cucurbitacin is the major contributor in making cucumber effective in treating cancer and diabetes.

Lignans
There are 3 lignans that are found in cucumber. These are very important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and a few certain types of cancer. Pinoresinol, one of the lignans, has shown to suppress the growth of the leukemia cells. Is cucumber good for cancer? No doubt, it is.

Saponin
This chemical is found in cucumber. This acts like a natural cure for diabetes. This will unclog the tissues, therefore allowing the insulin and the glycogen to enter the cells. This will reduce the sugar levels in the urine. The cucumber will help dissolve the fat in the tissues. This is one of the reasons why cucumber is good for diabetes.

Cucumber in diet
Potassium, vitamin K and Vitamin C are found in plenty in the cucumbers. This is a low-carb diet, which is good for people who have diabetes. In fact, this is one of the best vegetables for a healthy diet. This can be used in salads or consumed as a juice.

Hence, the anti-cancer properties of cucumber makes it a healthy choice for your diet.