Stay Cool and Healthy: 6 Reasons to Drink Cucumber Kanji

Introduction of Stay Cool and Healthy

Cucumber Kanji is a fermented summer drink which has been used as a coolant and for digestion for more than thousands of years. It is a probiotic drink that is made by fermenting cucumber in water with mustard seeds, salt, and spices to make a cooling and sour drink. It is the favourite of Indian families and is consumed during the summer season to combat heat and digest food. Similar to carrot or beetroot kanji, cucumber kanji is a refreshing and cool option that makes the body feel hydrated.

Cucumber itself is made up of 95% water and thus an incredibly valuable natural cooling remedy. Fermentation also makes it gut-friendly by stimulating digestion and gut health. In accordance with a study article published in Journal of Functional Foods, fermented drinks like kanji carry natural probiotics that boost gut microbiota and increase nutrient absorption. Mustard seeds used in the preparation of kanji are made up of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, which improve digestion and immune system.

During summer, when digestion is slow, cucumber kanji is a herbal detoxifier that cleanses the body of toxins and provides nourishment. Sour in taste and cooling to the body, it is a great summer companion, providing taste and health value in every glass. Let us understand the main cucumber juice benefits in this article.

6 Health Benefits of Cucumber Kanji

Cucumber Kanji is not only the summer refresher; it’s a health juice with health values that render the drink a hit of summers. Prepared using cucumbers, mustard seeds, and spices and allowed to ferment naturally, the probiotic juice is rich in nutrients. Extremely nutrient-rich with hydration, probiotics, and health nutrients, cucumber kanji improves better digestion, immunity, and even skin. Read six important cucumber juice benefits.

1. Hydrates You

It is extremely essential to stay hydrated, especially in summer months, and cucumber kanji is the perfect way of cooling down the body and rejuvenating it. Cucumbers are about 95% water content, therefore the most hydrated vegetable. Cucumber water content maintains the body’s water level consistent and prevents dehydrating the body and causing it to be susceptible to heatstroke.

It has been stated by an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that water-dense vegetables such as cucumber are a main source of day-long hydration. Cucumber kanji is not only water but also key electrolytes that cool and energize the body. Rather than reaching for high-sugar soft drinks, the intake of this home-fermented beverage is a smarter and yummier alternative to quench the body.

2. Digestion Support & Gut Health

The biggest health advantage of cucumber kanzi is that it is fermented, hence the perfect probiotic beverage. Fermentation is a process that stimulates healthy gut bacteria to grow inside your body that is in charge of healthy digestion. The good bacteria trigger amplified nutrient uptake and develop a healthy microbiome of your gut.

Cucumber kanji is highly useful in getting relief from indigestion, bloating, and acidity. The enzymes in the digestive enzymes present in the mustard seeds in the beverage help in easier digestion. In research work on probiotic beverages published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, probiotic beverages helped in alleviating gastric complaints such as bloating and constipation. Regular intake of cucumber kanji contributes towards improving better gut movement and general digestive health.

3. Detoxifies the Body

The body contains toxins because of pollution, processed foods, and an unnatural diet. Cucumber kanji is a natural cleanser and detoxifier that destroys toxins and cleanses the body. Cucumbers contain antioxidants in the form of beta-carotene and flavonoids that guard the body against toxic free radicals.

The fermentation process introduces these cleaning attributes, and hence kanji is a safe drink for kidney and liver health. Research on Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry^[1] found that consumption of antioxidant-rich fermented drinks enhances the liver’s health and the body’s intrinsic cleaning process. Consumption of cucumber kanji on a daily basis can lead to healthy skin, a healthy digestive system, and well-being.

4. Boosts Immunity

Good immunity repels infection, and natural kanji in cucumber is an immunobooster. Natural probiotics present in kanji help to develop the immunity by maintaining good gut health because 70%^[2] of immunity lives in the gut. Good immunity is that in which there is good gut.

Cucumbers also carry healthy levels of vitamins A, C, and K, which are required for immunity. Vitamin C is an immunostimulant that induces the formation of white blood cells that render the body immune to infection. Mustard seeds in kanji also carry anti-inflammatory chemicals, which are components of healthy immunity.

A research in International Journal of Molecular Sciences discovers probiotic consumption linked with increased immunity and reduced inflammation^[3]. Regular diet of cucumber kanji controls chronic infections like cold and flu and serves as an immunity booster as a byproduct.

5. Aids in Weight Loss

If you must lose weight, cucumber kanji is one that you will not afford to miss taking in your diet. Cucumber’s soluble fiber delays digestion and curbs hunger pangs.

The probiotics in fermented kanji stimulate the metabolism such that the body can efficiently burn fat. Journals reviewed and published within the British Journal of Nutrition indicate that the probiotics increase weight loss and fat oxidation, especially around the abdominal region. Secondly, the mustard seeds contained in kanji are also thermogenic, meaning that they naturally boost metabolism and induce calorie burn.

By replacing sweet or caloric drinks with cucumber kanji, you can have a refreshing drink and facilitate your weight loss process.

6. Maintains Skin Health

Hydration and a healthy gut are required to have healthy, glowing skin, and kanji cucumber is a gift for both. Hydration would tighten the skin and make it less dry, slashing premature aging. Probiotics in kanji also normalize the gut bacteria, which reduces skin inflammation, acne, and breakouts.

Cucumbers are rich in silica, vitamin C, and antioxidants which all together play an important role in giving radiating skin that is free of blemishes. Vitamin C also contributes towards collagen production that tightens and maintains the skin firm and healthy. Mustard seeds contain an anti-inflammatory compound which prevents any form of inflammation of the skin or swelling of the skin.

One such recent research article published in the Journal of Dermatological Science has talked about the advantage of probiotic diet towards the betterment of skin ailments like acne, eczema, and rosacea. Daily consumption of cucumber kanji will cause your skin to get all the necessary nutrients for a better texture and natural glow.

How to Prepare Cucumber Kanji at Home?

Cucumber Kanji is a probiotic-laden, simple-to-make summer drink that lowers the body temperature and supports digestion. Made with simple-to-find ingredients, it ferments naturally to offer an extra dose of nutrients. Here’s how to prepare and consume cucumber juice benefits at home:

Ingredients:

1. 2 medium cucumbers, grated
2. 4-5 cups water
3. 1 tbsp coarsely ground mustard seeds (rai)
4. 1 tsp black salt (kala namak)
5. 1 tsp rock salt
6. ½ tsp red chili powder (optional)

Instructions

• Prepare the Mixture – Mix grated cucumber with mustard seeds, black salt, rock salt, and red chili powder in a large glass or ceramic vessel. Mix with water and stir well.
• Fermentation – Cover the vessel lightly with a cloth or lid and keep it in the sun for 2-3 days. Shake the mixture daily to get uniform fermentation.
• Check Readiness – The kanji will slightly have a sour, fermented smell, indicating readiness.
• Strain & Serve – Strain the liquid after fermentation, chill, and enjoy a glass of fresh cucumber kanji!
• Drink fresh and store leftovers in the fridge for a week. Enjoy this cooling, gut-healing summer drink!

Best Time to Drink Cucumber Kanji

To take all the cucumber juice benefits, Cucumber Kanji is a probiotic cooling drink that functions best when taken at the appropriate time. This is how and when to take it for optimal benefit:

• Morning: Taking cucumber kanji in the morning on an empty stomach supports digestion and cleanses the body. The probiotics keep the gut healthy, and the fermented nutrients purify the system.
• Before Food: Consume kanji 15-20 minutes before food to keep hunger in check, enable proper digestion and healthy food digestion. It also prevents overeating.
• Afternoon: As cucumber kanji has a cooling property, consume it during the afternoon hours to prevent heat, keep the body cool, and prevent heatstroke on sultry summer afternoons.

Who Should Not Consume Cucumber Kanji?

While cucumber kanji is otherwise healthy, there are certain people who must have it with caution:

• Hypotension Patients – Cucumbers are cooling in nature and can further lower BP, thus not good for hypotension patients.
• Sensitive Stomach Patients – If digestive or acidic, start with a small quantity to check tolerance.
• Kidney Patients – Cucumbers are rich in potassium content, and this will be inappropriate for kidney patients.

Always drink in moderation and consult a doctor if you have any disease.

Conclusion

Cucumber Kanji is a cool summer drink as well as a probiotic. Not only will your thirst be gone, there are many more cucumber juice benefits. From supporting digestion and gut well-being to refreshing the body and skin, this ancient fermented drink is a natural way of cooling and thirst-quenching during hot summer days. Simple to make at home, it’s a tasty and healthy substitute for sugary drinks. Incorporate cucumber kanji into your daily routine to experience its detox and immunity benefits. Savor fresh, stay healthy, and indulge in this yummy summer treat!