Useful properties of cucumber and how it affects the body!
One of the most popular vegetables in the world today is cucumber. This can be argued based on the fact that the International Cucumber Day is celebrated annually on July 27
But, few people know that a cucumber is not a vegetable, because it belongs to the pumpkin family and is sometimes called a "false berry".
Types of cucumbers
Thinking about which cucumbers to give preference to, first of all you need to decide on the purpose of their purchase
There are cucumbers:
Universal. They have an average taste and have an average density of pulp. This type is the most popular and is suitable for any purpose: for making salads, preserving and salting. It belongs to the early maturing. A distinctive feature of their appearance is the white and black small spikes on the light green fruit, with light stripes. The taste of its fruits is sweet, crunchy and fragrant. Universal cucumbers have a high resistance to drought and many diseases, do not require special conditions in care.
Saline. These varieties of cucumbers are characterized by a thin skin and dense flesh, which help them to transfer culinary manipulations with the least loss and evenly absorb the brine. Such a special structure allows them to transfer even very long storage in brine without deformation. They are ideal for both salting and preserving. Their size can reach a length of 16 cm, which is ideal for their tight placement in the bank. The taste qualities of pickled cucumbers also allow you to successfully use them both fresh and for salads. The disadvantage of this variety is a short shelf life – they quickly wither, turn yellow and deteriorate. Such cucumbers often have many small black spikes and a dark green rind.
Snack cucumbers-gherkins. They got their name due to their small, pleasant size and crisp structure. Most often they are grown in a greenhouse. They have the shape of a cylinder and can reach a length of only 4 cm. Collect them before they are fully ripe. Their main advantage is considered to be a special, pleasant taste and comfortable shape. They are widely used in the preparation of raznosolov and then consumed as a separate snack or added to sandwiches, pizza or salads. They also make a particularly delicious sauce. The main part of gherkins is grown in India.
Salad cucumbers. They have larger fruits (both in length and width), have a richer taste and aroma. Their skin is dense and smooth, most often plain. They contain much more sugar. When cooking, such cucumbers are likely to lose their shape and taste, and the thick skin will not allow salting evenly. This type is most often used for sale, as it is stored much longer than other cucumbers.
Composition and caloric content
The caloric content of cucumbers varies from 10 to 16 calories per 100 g, depending on the variety.
95% of the cucumber consists of a liquid-structured water. This is of great benefit to the human body, as structured water removes harmful toxins, excess salt and slags from the body, cleanses the kidneys well.
Also, the composition of the cucumber includes:
Beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant and a vital element. It slows down the oxidation processes in the body, has preventive properties against eye diseases and visual impairment.
Vitamin A, it is also called anti-infective due to its positive effect on the protective functions of the body and antimicrobial action. It also strengthens the nails well and accelerates the healing of wounds.
Vitamin B1 plays an indispensable role in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It reduces your appetite.
Vitamin B2 plays an important role in the process of blood formation, regulates growth processes and has a positive effect on reproductive function.
Ascorbic acid plays an important role for human immunity and hormone production.
Vitamin C is involved in the production of collagen and prolongs the youth of the body.
Vitamin PP (or B3) is necessary to maintain the health and normal functioning of the body, it normalizes the work of the heart, the production of hormones and supports a healthy appearance of the skin.
Potassium regulates the water balance and supplies the brain with oxygen, increasing its efficiency and improving memory.
Magnesium is essential for the health of the nervous system and normal muscle function. It provides the ability to obtain energy from blood sugar
Zinc is necessary for the formation of bone tissue.
Copper helps the body to produce hemoglobin, activates the process of cell growth and the production of collagen.
Manganese lowers cholesterol and promotes healthy connective tissue, cartilage, and bone.
Iron is essential in the production of hemoglobin in the blood and protects the body from harmful bacteria.
Chlorine cleanses the liver of fat and regulates the acid-base balance.
Iodine is necessary for good brain function, increases human performance
Chromium is involved in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of the body, as well as strengthens bone tissue and helps to keep weight normal.
Phosphorus improves the metabolism and the ability of cells to regenerate, strengthens tooth enamel.
Sodium supports the normal acid-base balance of the body and promotes the production of gastric juice.
Vitamin B9 is indispensable in the process of growth and formation of new cells, especially necessary for children during active growth.
Cucumber is a champion in terms of fiber content. Regular consumption of food normalizes the digestive processes and improves the absorption of nutrients from food.
But, few people know that a cucumber is not a vegetable, because it belongs to the pumpkin family and is sometimes called a "false berry".
Types of cucumbers
Thinking about which cucumbers to give preference to, first of all you need to decide on the purpose of their purchase
There are cucumbers:
Universal. They have an average taste and have an average density of pulp. This type is the most popular and is suitable for any purpose: for making salads, preserving and salting. It belongs to the early maturing. A distinctive feature of their appearance is the white and black small spikes on the light green fruit, with light stripes. The taste of its fruits is sweet, crunchy and fragrant. Universal cucumbers have a high resistance to drought and many diseases, do not require special conditions in care.
Saline. These varieties of cucumbers are characterized by a thin skin and dense flesh, which help them to transfer culinary manipulations with the least loss and evenly absorb the brine. Such a special structure allows them to transfer even very long storage in brine without deformation. They are ideal for both salting and preserving. Their size can reach a length of 16 cm, which is ideal for their tight placement in the bank. The taste qualities of pickled cucumbers also allow you to successfully use them both fresh and for salads. The disadvantage of this variety is a short shelf life – they quickly wither, turn yellow and deteriorate. Such cucumbers often have many small black spikes and a dark green rind.
Snack cucumbers-gherkins. They got their name due to their small, pleasant size and crisp structure. Most often they are grown in a greenhouse. They have the shape of a cylinder and can reach a length of only 4 cm. Collect them before they are fully ripe. Their main advantage is considered to be a special, pleasant taste and comfortable shape. They are widely used in the preparation of raznosolov and then consumed as a separate snack or added to sandwiches, pizza or salads. They also make a particularly delicious sauce. The main part of gherkins is grown in India.
Salad cucumbers. They have larger fruits (both in length and width), have a richer taste and aroma. Their skin is dense and smooth, most often plain. They contain much more sugar. When cooking, such cucumbers are likely to lose their shape and taste, and the thick skin will not allow salting evenly. This type is most often used for sale, as it is stored much longer than other cucumbers.
Composition and caloric content
The caloric content of cucumbers varies from 10 to 16 calories per 100 g, depending on the variety.
95% of the cucumber consists of a liquid-structured water. This is of great benefit to the human body, as structured water removes harmful toxins, excess salt and slags from the body, cleanses the kidneys well.
Also, the composition of the cucumber includes:
Beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant and a vital element. It slows down the oxidation processes in the body, has preventive properties against eye diseases and visual impairment.
Vitamin A, it is also called anti-infective due to its positive effect on the protective functions of the body and antimicrobial action. It also strengthens the nails well and accelerates the healing of wounds.
Vitamin B1 plays an indispensable role in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It reduces your appetite.
Vitamin B2 plays an important role in the process of blood formation, regulates growth processes and has a positive effect on reproductive function.
Ascorbic acid plays an important role for human immunity and hormone production.
Vitamin C is involved in the production of collagen and prolongs the youth of the body.
Vitamin PP (or B3) is necessary to maintain the health and normal functioning of the body, it normalizes the work of the heart, the production of hormones and supports a healthy appearance of the skin.
Potassium regulates the water balance and supplies the brain with oxygen, increasing its efficiency and improving memory.
Magnesium is essential for the health of the nervous system and normal muscle function. It provides the ability to obtain energy from blood sugar
Zinc is necessary for the formation of bone tissue.
Copper helps the body to produce hemoglobin, activates the process of cell growth and the production of collagen.
Manganese lowers cholesterol and promotes healthy connective tissue, cartilage, and bone.
Iron is essential in the production of hemoglobin in the blood and protects the body from harmful bacteria.
Chlorine cleanses the liver of fat and regulates the acid-base balance.
Iodine is necessary for good brain function, increases human performance
Chromium is involved in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of the body, as well as strengthens bone tissue and helps to keep weight normal.
Phosphorus improves the metabolism and the ability of cells to regenerate, strengthens tooth enamel.
Sodium supports the normal acid-base balance of the body and promotes the production of gastric juice.
Vitamin B9 is indispensable in the process of growth and formation of new cells, especially necessary for children during active growth.
Cucumber is a champion in terms of fiber content. Regular consumption of food normalizes the digestive processes and improves the absorption of nutrients from food.