The Huge Benefits Of Cucumber That Many CKD Patients Are Missing In Their Regular Diet

Potassium is found in many foods including vegetables but choosing the right veggies can help Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients control their mineral levels and lead a healthier life. Cucumbers are the fourth highest cultivated vegetable in the world and are known for their overall health benefits. 

Among its health benefits, cucumber juice contains minerals such as magnesium and fiber which are very helpful for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure. Researchers also found that a compound (sterols) found in cucumber may help reduce cholesterol levels, a major concern for CKD patients as heart disease is the leading cause of death in the patient population.

Eating cucumber can help keep CKD patients hydrated and offers more nutrients than regular drinking water and can protect those with CKD from inflammation and degeneration of the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth which surgeons carefully analyze when considering Kidney Transplant Surgery. However, it should be monitored as 96% of cucumber is water content so people with CKD should discuss the best ways to balance eating the vegetable and fluid intake with their Dietitian. 

By lowering the uric acid levels, people with CKD can relieve gout and arthritis as well as increase joint health by strengthening connective tissues after eating cucumber because of its excellent source of silica. Its high silica content also helps prevent splitting and spoiling of finger and toe nails. The high water content and the presence of certain vitamins and minerals make cucumber an essential part of skin care and this combined with sulphur and silicon can help CKD patients grow healthy hair. This is important because many of the medications that people with CKD take may cause hair loss.

Although cucumber is high in potassium it is low in calories and fat. Cucumber also contains many vitamins and minerals that make them a healthy choice to cook with and snack on for many CKD patients. Hence, it is suggests that you work closely with your Dietitian to ensure that the right amount of  cucumber is a added to your unique renal diet, if possible, so that you can capture all of the natural health benefits of the vegetable. -kidneybuzz.com