Why It Is Useful To Eat Cucumbers

Cucumbers are from the pumpkin family and are close relatives of zucchini, watermelon and melon. They are considered vegetables, but in fact from the point of view of botany they are fruits. They are rich in useful nutrients. They contain plant compounds and antioxidants that can help treat and even prevent certain diseases.

Nutritional composition of cucumbers

Cucumbers are low in calories and contain good amounts of soluble fiber and water, which makes them ideal for hydration and weight loss. They are a good source of important vitamins and minerals. An unpeeled and raw cucumber weighing about 300 grams has the following nutritional value:

• 45 calories;
• 0 grams of fat;
• 11 grams of carbohydrates;
• 2 grams of protein;
• 2 grams of fiber;
• vitamins: C (14% of DP *), K (62% *);
• minerals: magnesium (10% *), potassium (13% *), manganese (12% *), phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, sodium, iron, zinc, iodine.

% * of DP * - percentage of the recommended daily intake for the day

Cucumbers are rich in mineral salts and biologically active substances. The enzymes contained in vegetables promote the absorption of proteins and B vitamins, and help maintain a normal blood reaction. They also contain an enzyme similar to insulin, which makes them an important dietary product for diabetics. The water in vegetables helps cleanse the body as it dissolves toxins and helps flush them out of the body. Due to the trace elements contained in cucumber, it has choleretic and diuretic properties. Improves the activity of the cardiovascular system and is recommended for people suffering from thyroid disease.

Cucumbers are composed of 96% water. To increase their nutritional value, you should consume them unpeeled, as the shell contains fiber, some vitamins and minerals. However, without the peel and marinated, they retain some useful properties. Marinated and salted, they contain large amounts of sodium, which can adversely affect the health of people suffering from kidney failure. Therefore, their intake in this form should be limited. In addition, overeating salty foods can lead to the destruction of tooth enamel, fluid retention in the body and disorders of the digestive tract.

Antioxidants are molecules that block oxidation, a chemical reaction that produces highly reactive atoms with unpaired electrons known as free radicals. The accumulation of these harmful radicals can lead to several types of chronic diseases. The oxidative stress caused by them is associated with the development of cancer and heart, lung and autoimmune diseases. Fruits and vegetables, including cucumbers, are especially rich in beneficial antioxidants that can reduce the risk of these conditions. Vegetables have been found to contain flavonoids and tannins, which are particularly effective in blocking harmful radicals.

Benefits of cucumbers

Water is vital for the functions of the human body, as it has many important roles. It is involved in processes such as temperature regulation and transportation of waste products and nutrients. Proper hydration can affect physical activity and metabolism, as well as many other processes in the human body.

Most of the fluid intake people get from water and up to 40% with food. Because cucumbers are made up of about 96% water, they are especially effective in promoting hydration and can help you meet your daily fluid needs.

Cucumbers are low in calories. One serving (104 grams) contains only 16 calories, and a whole cucumber (about 300 grams) contains only 45 calories. This means that larger amounts can be consumed without consuming many calories, which leads to weight gain.

Vegetables are added to salads, sandwiches and side dishes, and can also be used as a substitute for high-calorie foods. Consumption of low-calorie foods high in water has been shown to be associated with significant weight loss.

• Improves the condition of hair, nails and teeth
• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Improves digestion
• Maintains regular bowel movements

Dehydration is a major risk factor for constipation, as it can change the water balance and make it difficult to pass stools. Pectin - a type of soluble fiber found in cucumbers, helps speed up the movement of intestinal muscles.

Harm from the consumption of cucumbers

Some people report that when eating cucumbers they repeatedly face problems such as itchy skin and swelling. Therefore, people prone to allergies should not consume large amounts of vegetables.

Some cucumbers have a bitter taste. This is due to the presence of the toxins cucurbitacins and tetracyclic triterpenoids in them. Studies show that eating large amounts of bitter cucumbers can be life threatening. Therefore, like anything, consume in moderation.

Cucumber seeds are a source of cucurbitin - an ingredient known to have diuretic properties. When consuming large amounts of vegetables, this diuretic ingredient leads to excessive elimination of fluids from the body, impairing electrolyte balance. In some conditions, this can lead to severe dehydration.

Pregnancy is a critical period for both the mother and the baby in the womb. Cucumbers are not harmful to eat during pregnancy, but overdoing them can lead to frequent urination, bloating and abdominal pain. This can affect pregnancy. Therefore, to avoid this risk, it is good to consume vegetables in moderation.