The benefits and harms of fresh cucumbers for the body, healing potential straight from the garden. Cucumber - benefits and harm to the body

Cucumbers are one of the most common and beloved vegetables on earth. Nowadays it is difficult to find a garden in which they do not grow. Yes, everyone knows what a cucumber is, but few people know its origin.

So, if we turn to history, the birthplace of our favorite vegetable is India, where for the first time, many thousands of years ago, it was grown and tasted. Over time, cucumber became a favorite product of the ancient Egyptians, and it acquired its current name in Greece (from the word “aguros,” which means “under-ripe”). Time gradually passed and the cucumber “captured” more and more countries. Thus, this vegetable became known throughout the world. Today, it is very difficult to imagine a table without cucumbers or salads made from them, especially in the summer. Well, in winter, many people like them lightly salted, pickled...

Cucumber has a good taste, but does not have high nutritional value, because 95% of it consists of water. This is the main secret of this vegetable. Despite its “poor” composition, regular consumption of cucumbers can significantly improve your health. So, let's look at the beneficial properties of cucumber.

What are the benefits of cucumber?
The fact that cucumber is useful for those who want to lose extra pounds is probably known to everyone. You can eat it in any quantity - and it will not burden either the stomach or the pancreas, which is, perhaps, the main condition for following a light and healthy diet. Some experts even recommend regularly holding fasting days, in which you can eat only fresh cucumbers. A very interesting fact is that eating this vegetable, despite its low calorie content, gives a feeling of fullness due to the large amount of fiber it contains, which creates volume in the stomach.

One of the most unique features of cucumber is tartronic acid, which helps delay the formation of carbohydrates into fats. Therefore, if you want to gain fat in your body more slowly, then immediately include this vegetable in your diet. In this case, do not forget that other fresh vegetables also contain tartronic acid, for example, white cabbage. Therefore, a reasonable combination of these two vegetables will certainly enhance the effect of any diet and the benefits that fresh cucumbers bring will be more noticeable.

We said above that most of the substance in a cucumber is water. But it is not ordinary and is much healthier than the one we are used to drinking every day. Cucumber water is so pure that it can be compared to distilled water. In the sense that it does not contain anything harmful like tap water. If we think from a chemical point of view, then it contains not only two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen, but many more useful microelements.

This is a kind of storehouse of vitamins. Thus, in the composition of cucumber water you can find calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, iodine, silicon, magnesium, vitamins B, PP, C, carotene, pantothenic and folic acid. Any other vegetable can envy such a rich set. And if you regularly supply all these microelements and vitamins to your body, you can get rid of many diseases.

Cucumber water plus fiber is one of the most powerful natural absorbents that help break down toxins that accumulate in the intestines. This explains some cases of the fight against various types of poisoning with the help of cucumber. Regular consumption of this vegetable cleanses the body of waste and toxins, removes excess cholesterol and is an excellent preventative measure to prevent gallstone disease.

The unique combination of sodium and potassium ions (1:17) is another feature characteristic only of cucumber. This ideal ratio has a mild but constant diuretic effect. That is why many medical specialists recommend that their patients consume as many cucumbers as possible for diseases such as cystitis, diseases of the biliary tract, liver and kidneys.

People whose diet includes cucumber are much less likely to suffer from inflammation and impaired intestinal motility. Therefore, if you are often bothered by colitis, especially spastic ones, then eat this vegetable regularly. However, cucumber can improve the condition of almost any problem related to the gastrointestinal tract. The only exception is diarrhea. In case of this disease, the use of cucumber is contraindicated. Also, it is better not to eat this gift of nature for nursing mothers: as this can lead to the appearance of some disorders in the baby.

For a long time, cucumber juice has been and continues to be used in folk medicine to quench thirst and as an excellent antipyretic. In addition, it was an indispensable medicine for diseases during which there was a danger of dehydration, for example, with a burn or fever.

Potassium, contained in large quantities, has a beneficial effect on blood vessels and the heart. Also, constant consumption of cucumber can be an excellent protection against cellulite. Calcium, which is also abundant in this vegetable, helps strengthen hair, nails and teeth. And the easily digestible iodine contained in cucumber is an excellent preventative against various thyroid diseases. Also, by including this gift of nature in your diet, you can normalize blood sugar levels due to the insulin-like substances it contains. By the way, there are more of them in its bitter types. Therefore, it is an indispensable product in the diet of every diabetic.

Cucumber juice improves the condition of teeth and gums. Cucumbers are useful for dizziness from overwork. Cucumber gruel is a cosmetic mask and external remedy for skin inflammation, tumors and rashes.

Calories, per 100 grams - 15 kcal
Proteins, 0.8 g
Fats, 0.1 g
Carbohydrates, 3.0 g
Glycemic index – 20


What harm can cucumbers cause?
Who can benefit from such healthy fresh cucumbers? Well, firstly, for those people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract with high acidity. Cucumbers increase already high acidity, which means it is better to eat them little or not at all in case of peptic ulcers and gastritis. Secondly, they are harmful to nursing mothers due to their laxative effect. Thirdly, the harm of the first cucumbers grown in greenhouses for sale is also clearly obvious. This is confirmed by cases of poisoning and diarrhea from their consumption, which is written about a lot on the pages of newspapers in the spring and early summer.

So we talked about fresh cucumbers, their beneficial properties, the benefits and harms of them. To date, all the beneficial properties of this vegetable have not yet been fully revealed. Therefore, it is very difficult to overestimate cucumbers, the properties they are endowed with and understand all the benefits that regular use gives us.

Rinat Abdrakhimov, www.site
Google

- Dear our readers! Please highlight the typo you found and press Ctrl+Enter. Write to us what is wrong there.
- Please leave your comment below! We ask you! We need to know your opinion! Thank you! Thank you!

We know a lot about cucumbers. We often eat them, add them to salads, preserve and pickle them, and make refreshing masks for the face and under the eyes. This green vegetable is versatile. It is suitable not only for eating, but also for medical procedures, due to its composition.

Composition of cucumber: vitamins, microelements, calorie content

The calorie content of a cucumber is no more than 15 kcal per 100 g. This can be explained by the fact that it consists of 95% water. For those who are on a diet, this vegetable is simply irreplaceable. It contains virtually no carbohydrates, fat or proteins.

Cucumber contains enzymes. They make it easier to digest food of animal origin, which is why cucumber is often combined with meat dishes.

This vegetable contains the most microelements potassium. It contains slightly less phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Cucumber is not lacking in vitamins either. It is rich in vitamins C, A, B1 and B2, P.

Benefits of cucumber

The benefits of cucumber are directly proportional to its composition. Vitamins and mineral components have a beneficial effect on the functioning of many organs and systems: liver, heart and blood vessels, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and many others. etc.

Fresh cucumbers

In fresh cucumbers high fiber content. It helps improve intestinal motility and speed up food digestion. This way, toxins do not linger in the body, which is important for constant or frequent constipation.

Fiber resists the accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels and the formation of plaques. And this helps to avoid atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Thanks to potassium, excess fluid will be removed from the body, which means swelling will subside. This microelement also has a positive effect on high blood pressure.

Availability iodine will help prevent the occurrence of thyroid pathologies.

Salted, pickled, pickled

Pickled cucumbers contain bacteria that are beneficial for the intestinal microflora. They block the development of harmful microbes. The presence of lactic acid in this dish reduces the amount of fat in the blood, which facilitates its circulation in the vessels. This helps reduce high blood pressure due to hypertension.

Cucumber brine not only improves intestinal flora, but also has a mild laxative effect.

Pickled cucumbers will help awaken your appetite, so it is useful to use them for those who want to gain weight. They improve the functioning of the digestive system.

Pickled cucumbers have the same properties as pickled and salted ones. But, in addition, they enhance the protective function of the immune system.

Juice

Cucumber juice's composition resembles water from environmentally friendly springs, which is why it is so popular.

With its help, the acid-base balance in the body is regulated. Excess sodium and fluid are removed.

Note! If cucumber juice is mixed with carrot juice, then this mixture is an excellent remedy for rheumatic diseases.

Lettuce, spinach, carrot and cucumber juice combined will speed up hair growth and strength.

Drinking valuable cucumber juice not only lowers blood pressure, but also helps in the prevention of cancer.

If you have problems with your teeth or gums, rinsing with cucumber juice will help.

The juice also treats dry cough. To do this, add a little honey to the juice and take it internally.

Cucumber juice contains a lot of iodine, which is easily absorbed. Cucumber juice helps with thyroid problems.

Cucumber salad

Cucumber is a frequent guest on the table, especially during the ripening season. We don’t just eat it, we add it to a variety of salads. Any dish will benefit from such a tender-tasting and incredibly aromatic vegetable.

By adding cucumbers to salads, you promote better absorption of nutrients not only from this vegetable, but from other components in the dish.

If you eat cucumber salad with meat or other high-calorie food, it will be digested much faster and easier.

What are the benefits of cucumbers?

Cucumbers are useful for almost everyone to eat without restrictions. But there are features that are important for each gender, age or period.

For a woman's body

For a woman, cucumbers are a way to lose weight and always look young and fresh.

This vegetable is used during a diet to rid the body of excess water and, along with it, remove fat deposits.

Masks, lotions and other skin care products will not leave any woman indifferent. In order to always look perfect, you don’t need to run to the store for expensive cosmetics, because you have a couple of fresh cucumbers in your refrigerator.

Regular masks, rubs, and cucumber compresses will help make the skin elastic, youthful and breathable.

For the male body

The beneficial effect of cucumbers on the male body is similar to the effect of the vegetable on the female body.

Another benefit of eating fresh cucumbers is that drinking cucumber juice regularly helps prevent baldness.

For children

Cucumber is important for children because regular consumption of it helps avoid the development of anemia due to silicon deficiency.

It contains potassium, and it is simply necessary for a strong nervous system and a balanced psyche of the baby.

Note! Cucumber regulates metabolic processes in the intestines, makes the immune system more stable and strengthens the child’s muscle and bone tissue.

The presence of iodine protects the thyroid gland and prevents all the ensuing consequences of a lack of this element.

Pediatricians recommend giving your child a cucumber for the first time no earlier than a year, since the stomach is not yet able to cope with digesting the vegetable.

For pregnant

For a pregnant woman, it is incredibly important that the water-salt balance is normal. Cucumber, which contains potassium, will help her with this. It helps remove excess water from tissues and prevent it from accumulating in excessive amounts again.

During pregnancy, problems with bowel movements occur. As a result, the woman experiences constipation. You can establish a natural process with the help of fresh cucumber, since it acts as mild laxative.

Cucumber also cleanses the body of harmful substances, which is important during pregnancy.

For face

The benefits of cucumber are obvious not only when consumed internally, but also when used externally. Due to its ability to trigger the regeneration process of skin cells, this vegetable is included in a wide variety of cosmetic products for caring for the skin of the body from head to toe.

It is very easy to carry out a cosmetic facial rejuvenation procedure at home. It will be enough that you wipe your face with a circle of cucumber or apply them to problem areas.

With the help of such simple masks you can whiten your skin, make pigmentation and freckles less noticeable.

Cucumber is great for oily epidermis as a cleanser. It will moisturize and rejuvenate dry skin.

Also, cucumber lotions will help get rid of swelling, blue circles under the eyes and a feeling of fatigue.

Contraindications and health hazards of cucumber

Due to their strong diuretic effect, fresh cucumbers should not be eaten by people with kidney stones, stomach ulcers and enterocolitis.

What are the benefits of cucumbers for the human body? All about cucumbers: beneficial properties in cosmetology, maintaining the heart, blood vessels and much more.

It is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without a cucumber. This interesting vegetable is often present on the table. Cucumber is added to a variety of dishes. Many women actively use cucumber in home cosmetology. Scientists are developing new varieties. And another very interesting question: “How is cucumber useful for human health?” Let's take a closer look.

What are the benefits of cucumbers for the heart and blood vessels?

Thanks to the consumption of cucumber:

  • cholesterol levels decrease;
  • swelling is relieved;
  • blood pressure decreases;
  • the work of the heart muscle is normalized.

Cucumbers for the gastrointestinal tract

Cucumbers appear on our table regularly! Do you know everything about their benefits?

Thanks to the cucumber:

  • digestion is normalized;
  • the work of the pancreas is facilitated;
  • treatment of kidney, gallbladder and liver diseases is accelerated;
  • the weight loss process is accelerated;
  • metabolism is normalized;
  • The body quickly cleanses itself of waste and toxins.

It is worth noting that cucumber has a mild laxative and diuretic effect.

What are the benefits of cucumbers for the skin?

Cucumber is one of the healthiest vegetables for the skin. And by the way, many cucumber treatments are really pleasant.

You should carefully choose this vegetable when purchasing. Remember: the cucumber must be fresh, green and pleasant to look at.

Thanks to the cucumber:

  • the skin is rejuvenated;
  • swelling goes away;
  • skin cells are well cleansed;
  • acne goes away faster;
  • treatment of many skin diseases is accelerated.

If you wipe your face and neck with a piece of cucumber several times a week, you can preserve the youth and beauty of your skin for a long time.

Other beneficial properties of cucumbers

We have already learned a lot of facts about the beneficial effects cucumbers have on the body. But that’s not all we need to know about the vegetables that appear on our table almost every day.

So, cucumber also:

  • good for the thyroid gland;
  • has a rejuvenating effect on the entire body;
  • has a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and nails.

Contraindications for eating cucumbers

Cucumber should not be consumed by people suffering from stomach diseases with high acidity.

Cucumbers became a common product of daily consumption not so long ago - with the advent of cheap polymers, greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers became profitable. Vegetables are no longer a seasonal crop. A salad of fresh herbs is common in winter.

Crispy cucumbers are eaten whole and cut into salads, as part of okroshka and cold summer soups, salted and lightly salted, canned and pickled. There is nothing surprising in the very formulation of the question about the benefits and harms of cucumbers.

The pedigree of greens goes back centuries. Hardwick's cucumber still grows naturally in the subtropics of India and China.

Historians don’t know for sure, but there is a beautiful hypothesis: cucumber seeds found their way into ancient Hellas during the campaigns of Alexander the Great to the East. Even the name “cucumber” itself is a transformed Greek word “aoros”, translated as “unripe”. The Greek name perfectly reflects the difference between cucumber and other vegetables: greens are eaten unripe.

Minerals and vitamins - what cucumbers are rich in

We are already accustomed to seeing these greens on the table all year round; we consume them both fresh and processed. Fresh vegetables from open ground are deservedly popular.

This dietary product has a low calorie content of 15-20 kcal/100 g, consists of 95-97% water, and contains many microelements and vitamins. The list of useful components includes more than 3 dozen items. Among them there are unique ones, the content of which in cucumber is very high.

Unique components of cucumber

Greenhouse fruits differ in elemental composition from ground fruits very slightly, within 5-10%, which is not of fundamental importance.

Nutritional value of 100 g of cucumbers

Beneficial properties of fresh cucumbers for human health

The main component of cucumber is water. It moisturizes the skin, flushes out toxic substances and impurities.

  1. The presence of potassium in the solution normalizes the electrolyte balance of the body. Vegetables act as a diuretic - they remove excess fluid and eliminate swelling.
  2. Fresh cucumbers reduce the acidity of gastric juice, exhibit moderate choleretic and laxative effects, and improve intestinal motility.
  3. Consumption of vegetables reduces cholesterol levels - an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis.
  4. Normalizes blood pressure.
  5. Normalizes the body's metabolic processes: such a diet slows down aging and prevents the deposition of stones in internal organs.
  6. Young cucumbers are rich in ascorbic acid, which is responsible for the immune system.
  7. Normalizes the processes of the nervous system (magnesium and phosphorus, B vitamins), helps cope with fatigue and anxiety, and normalizes sleep.
  8. The presence of iodine in vegetables helps restore thyroid function.
  9. The juice helps cure dry cough.
  10. Fresh cucumber is used as first aid for burns and bruises - apply a fresh cut to the affected area of ​​the skin.

Not all the properties of this vegetable have been studied: recently, doctors came to the conclusion that cucumber bitterness (cucurbitacin) suppresses the development of cancer cells.

Vitamins and antioxidants contained in cucumbers. slow down the aging of the body. And the cosmetic effect of using these fresh vegetables was known to our great-grandmothers.

Application in cosmetology

To improve the condition of the skin, all parts of greens are used - pulp, juice, peel, seeds. The effect of cucumber compositions on the skin is universal.

  1. The components of fresh cucumber nourish the skin with vitamins, moisturize it, make it soft, elastic and silky.
  2. The drugs have a regenerating effect, tighten pores and have rejuvenating properties.
  3. The lotion cleanses the skin and removes toxins.
  4. Masks neutralize the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.
  5. The juice whitens the skin well and helps remove freckles and age spots.
  6. Cucumber masks relieve puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.

For home use, you should know that the most useful part of the greens is 1-3 mm directly under the skin. Unfortunately, nitrates also accumulate there due to excessive use of fertilizers.

Cucumbers do not cause allergic reactions. Unpleasant consequences of eating vegetables are a reaction to increased levels of impurities, a consequence of improper fertilization of beds.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding - the benefits and harms of cucumbers

In moderate doses, cucumbers should definitely be included in the diet of pregnant and lactating women. The reason is quite clear:

  • they normalize water balance;
  • increase immunity;
  • strengthen bone tissue and teeth (vitamin K);
  • prevent the development of anemia (0.7 mg of iron per 100 g of vegetables).

Despite all the benefits of cucumbers, they should not be abused, especially for pregnant women: side effects may occur - increased gas formation, belching. 2-3 greens per day is a completely normal dose that meets a woman’s daily needs.

The notorious pickled and pickled cucumbers should also be consumed in reasonable moderation. 1-2 pieces cannot harm anyone, only salt puts a strain on the kidneys, and acetic acid destroys tooth enamel.

Don't forget that vegetables have diuretic properties. Eat fresh cucumbers and add them to salads only in the first half of the day so that this does not in any way affect night’s sleep, which is so important for a pregnant woman.

Cucumbers in baby food - how much and when

It is enough to wash the cucumber from your garden well, provided that you have not overused fertilizers. For this reason, you should be wary of greenhouse vegetables. Grown hydroponically and with nutrient formulations, these vegetables may contain nitrates.

Cases of allergies in children are associated not so much with the vegetables themselves, but with chemical fertilizers and protective agents used in agricultural technology.

Even if the baby liked the new product and the body accepted it well, you should not overuse it and allow the child to eat more than 1 fresh cucumber (about 100 g).

We use it as medicine

Since the time of Hippocrates, people have used all parts of the cucumber plant to prepare effective medicinal compounds.

Organs Medicinal composition and rules of use
Diseases of the heart, blood vessels and kidneys Regular consumption of fresh cucumbers.

Potassium salts remove excess water and salt from the body

Colitis During the cucumber season, consume 100 g of cucumber puree daily.
Hepatitis, Botkin's disease Take a decoction of cucumber vines (Botkin's disease), ripe fruits and roots (chronic hepatitis), overripe fruits (jaundice and liver disease).
Renal colic Decoction of cucumber seeds
Constipation
  • During the day, gradually drink 4 glasses of brine.
  • Overripe cucumbers weaken well - you can eat them just like that.
Externally for dermatitis, burns, etc.
  • Powder made from ground dry fruits without seeds.
  • Just apply a cut of a fresh cucumber.

Cucumbers are indicated during the rehabilitation period after operations and after long-term use of medications, especially antibiotics.

Cucumber juice and its benefits for the body

Any cucumber is 95% water. When squeezing the juice, the greens almost completely turn into liquid, which is in no way inferior in mineral and vitamin composition, but is much more convenient to use.

In fact, cucumber juice is structured water enriched with useful substances, which enters the body:

  • helps maintain optimal water balance;
  • improves the functioning of the digestive tract;
  • helps the body get rid of waste and toxins;
  • normalizes metabolic processes.

Amazing facts about the healing properties of freshly squeezed cucumber juice.

An effective recipe for chronic constipation for pregnant and lactating women:

  • 1 glass of freshly squeezed juice;
  • 1 tbsp. l. natural honey;
  • take daily for at least 3 weeks.

Speaking about the use of juice, one cannot remain silent about a very important feature. In combination with other juices, the beneficial effects are only enhanced. For example, the beneficial properties of cucumber juice mixed with carrot juice become much stronger. Juice cocktails have a beneficial effect on the functioning of all body systems.

From the video you can learn about other beneficial properties of cucumbers, to whom they are contraindicated, and why they are useful in diets.

About the benefits of salted and lightly salted cucumbers

In the absence of contraindications, moderate consumption of winter preparations cannot harm health. Moreover, pickles are beneficial not only in winter.

  1. Some vitamins and beneficial microelements are retained after the fermentation process.
  2. The acid contained in pickled cucumbers increases appetite and enhances digestion.
  3. Fermented cucumbers have a mild laxative effect.
  4. Pickles and brine help cope with alcohol withdrawal syndrome - a hangover.


When cucumbers are prohibited

The good news is that not all cucumbers are banned for everyone, but only salted and pickled ones.

  1. Gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, all gastrointestinal diseases associated with high acidity, completely exclude the consumption of fermented preparations and, especially, pickled cucumbers (they increase the already high acidity of gastric juice).
  2. Hepatitis, cholecystitis, pancreatic diseases - pickles are contraindicated for these diseases.
  3. Pickled and pickled cucumbers are contraindicated in cases of impaired water-salt metabolism, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
  4. It is strictly forbidden to consume salted and pickled cucumbers for anyone who has kidney problems (urolithiasis, nephritis and pyelonephritis, chronic renal failure).
  5. Reduced thyroid function is one of the contraindications.
  6. Any cucumbers are contraindicated for diarrhea.

In very moderate (we emphasize) quantities, salted and pickled cucumbers can be consumed by pregnant women. Children from 2 to 5 years old should be given pickled cucumbers little by little, very carefully. Pickles and marinades provoke dysfunction of the liver and kidneys.

The list of restrictions for consuming fresh cucumbers is much shorter.

  1. Caution does not hurt when preparing salads from greenhouse cucumbers: cut off the ends of the greens and remove the skin by 1-3 mm - areas of maximum accumulation of nitrates.
  2. Hypotonic people should not overuse fresh cucumbers - eating 3-4 cucumbers at once can cause a decrease in blood pressure.

Don’t be afraid to appear to be playing it safe: if in doubt, ask your doctor about the consumption of fresh and salted cucumbers.

Cucumber diet - inexpensive and effective

A short-term diet for quick weight loss is deservedly popular.

  1. Economical diet - in the summer, during the cucumber season, cucumbers cost mere pennies, and the result is excellent - up to 5 kg in 1 week.
  2. In addition to the lost kilograms and centimeters, intestinal function is normalized and the skin is cleansed.

The disadvantage of such a mono-diet is an incomplete menu, so you should definitely take vitamin complexes for good health during this week.

The calorie content of fresh cucumber is only 15 kcal/100 g of product. The microelements and vitamins contained in the vegetable allow you not only to lose weight, but also to improve your health.

The basic principle of the cucumber diet is that during the day you need to eat 1.5-2 kg of fresh cucumbers just like that or in the form of salads. The main thing is not to consume salt. At all.

  • Have breakfast as you are used to.
  • Tea, coffee, water - unlimited.
  • During the day, eat a salad of 1.5-2 kg of cucumbers in 3 doses: at 12-13 o'clock, at 16-17 o'clock and at 19-20.

Benefits of the cucumber diet.

  1. There is no need to exhaust yourself by endlessly drinking water, the mainstay of all newfangled diets. A daily dose of cucumbers (2 kg) contains almost 2 liters (1,900 ml) of water.
  2. Natural fiber cleanses the intestines of waste and toxins and normalizes digestion.
  3. The diuretic effect of cucumbers expels excess water from the body and helps to acquire the desired shape.
  4. There is a general improvement of the body.

The diet is intended for people without any particular health problems. If your body’s condition allows you to eat cucumbers in such quantities, why not try it.

The usual vegetable from the garden turned out to be not only tasty. However, even healthy foods should be consumed in moderation. This especially applies to pregnant and lactating women, toddlers and preschool children.

Regular consumption of fresh and salted cucumbers diversifies your diet and helps you stay healthy.

Cucumber is a healthy vegetable with a delicate nature. It consists of 97% water, the properties of which are successfully used by cosmetologists, cooks and adherents of proper nutrition. Garden dweller is beneficial for the body, but can also cause harm to human health.

Characteristics and composition

Cucumber is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. It has been cultivated for food for more than 6 thousand years. Today, a representative of the Pumpkin family is grown on almost all continents. The cucumber arrived on the territory of modern Russia around the 16th century. It has taken root well in the climate of the middle zone and southern regions. The light and pleasant-tasting vegetable won culinary honors wherever it appeared.

There is an opinion that fresh cucumber cannot be too healthy, since it consists almost entirely of water. In fact, one 100-gram fruit contains approximately 15 kcal, 0.8 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, 2.5-2.8 carbohydrates.

Cucumber is good for both children and adults

Cucumbers contain potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, calcium, and magnesium in fairly large quantities. There are other macro- and microelements, vitamins, saccharides. The remaining 97-98% is water. The bulk of the beneficial properties of the vegetable are associated with it, but not all.

Attention! One of the characteristic properties of cucumber is its neutral interaction with allergens. It is suitable for almost all people who are allergic to a particular substance.

Useful properties of cucumber

Fresh cucumber has many beneficial properties for the human body.

  • The fruit is an excellent moisturizer. The abundance of water in the composition is supported by the properties of potassium to positively influence the supply of moisture to organs and tissues.
  • Cucumber has a mild and persistent diuretic effect, which helps get rid of swelling and excess fat in the body tissues.
  • The vegetable is a natural absorbent. It actively removes poisons and other harmful substances during intoxication.
  • Tatronic acids, which are contained in cucumber, process carbohydrates and prevent the accumulation of fat mass in the body. This property is actively used by nutritionists. In addition, with a minimum of calories, cucumber can stretch the abdominal walls and cause a feeling of fullness, which is very useful during diets.
  • The salts in cucumber even out the acid-base balance and metabolic process, neutralize and remove excess acidic compounds from the body. Therefore, the vegetable is an excellent remedy against kidney stones.
  • The fruits contain a large amount of fiber. According to this indicator, cucumbers are the leaders among vegetables. Therefore, they have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and circulatory system, and prevent the appearance of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels.
  • The iodine contained in the vegetable has a beneficial effect on the activity of the thyroid gland.
  • The vegetable breaks down sucrose.
  • Delicate dietary fiber from cucumber cleanses the intestines, favorably affecting its motility and peristalsis.
  • Cucumber is rich in vitamin C. This helps strengthen the immune system.

Attention! It has been scientifically proven that small vegetables contain the most vitamin C.

The use of cucumbers in cosmetology

The cosmetic properties of cucumber have long been proven and tested in practice. Women actively use the vegetable to maintain good skin condition, keep it youthful and fresh. Ladies use decoctions, infusions, masks. The latter are perhaps the most popular in home cosmetology.

Cucumber is actively used in cosmetology

Fruits cut into rings have the following effect on the skin:

  • moisturize;
  • relieve swelling;
  • smooth out wrinkles;
  • draw out harmful substances, cleanse dirt;
  • fight inflammation;
  • whitens and improves complexion;
  • relieve swelling from tired eyes.

Harmful properties of cucumbers

The watery base of the cucumber at the same time as its usefulness is very vulnerable. It can accumulate harmful substances. Early or out-of-season cucumbers are likely to use artificial stimulants or pesticides and may be harmful to the human body. Doctors categorically do not recommend buying such vegetables. Risks: poisoning, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys. Nitrates may not make themselves felt immediately, but they will remain in your body for quite a long time, waiting to be replenished to a critical amount.

Other negative aspects of cucumber:

  1. Harmful for people who are not advised to drink excess water. For example, in case of kidney pathologies, vegetables are limited to 100 g per day.
  2. Dangerous due to excessive stretching of the stomach. For those who want to lose weight, this can have the opposite effect: increasing appetite instead of dulling it.
  3. Has restrictions for people suffering from stomach ulcers or gastritis.

Pickles

Features of the effects of pickled cucumbers on the body

This vegetable is actively harvested and canned. As part of pickles, the properties of cucumber change somewhat:

  1. Pickled cucumbers are contraindicated for people suffering from atherosclerosis, hypertension and liver dysfunction. It is also undesirable for pregnant women to eat them.
  2. It is better to limit pickles in the diet of people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.
  3. It is better not to eat cucumbers with any degree of saltiness if you have kidney disease, hepatitis and other liver diseases, obesity and other metabolic disorders.

Pickled cucumbers are just as healthy as fresh ones. They contain a lot of water, the same microelements and vitamins. However, pickles warm up the appetite. In general, the popular vegetable has a lot of useful properties, while the negative ones are mainly associated with growing technology.

Related publications