The benefits and harms of cucumbers for human health

Biologists consider cucumbers to be false berries. Fruits, like their watermelon brothers, are 95% water, but not sweet and cannot be called fruit. These are the only fruits of the pumpkin family, which have been used only in an unripe form for several millennia. Cucumbers are very popular in cooking, cosmetology, and dietetics.

The article will tell you what is benefit and harm cucumbers for humans.

Calorie content and chemical composition of cucumber

Despite the high percentage of water contained in the fruit, the product contains many beneficial compounds:

• organic acids (tartronic, folic and others);
• macronutrients - calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, selenium, silicon;
• trace elements - iron, zinc, iodine, copper, manganese, selenium, fluorine;
• pectin;
• carotene;
• vitamins - PP, A, groups B, C, E, K.

The calorie content of 100 g is 14 kcal.

• proteins - 0.8 g;
• fats - 0.1 g;
• carbohydrates - 2.5 g;
• fiber - 1 g

The benefits of cucumbers

It is useful to include cucumbers in the diet at any age. The vegetable has a general beneficial effect on the body.

Consider the benefits of cucumbers for women:

• used in dietary nutrition;
• strengthens hair and nails;
• cucumber-based masks smooth wrinkles, refresh the skin;
• fruits are used as a laxative during pregnancy and lactation.

Fresh men use fruits as a means:

• prevention of prostate and urinary system cancer;
• strengthening memory in adulthood and improving thought processes;
• relieving muscle pain during intense physical exertion, in most cases in athletes;
• from hair loss;
• stimulating the production of testosterone in mature adults at any period of life.

Cucumbers are also useful for children, since the compounds in their composition contribute to:

• the full development of the skeleton and joints, the strength of hair, nails thanks to the element of silicon, which is rare for plant products;
• prevention of anemia due to contained iron;
• normal functioning of the thyroid gland, while natural iodine has a beneficial effect on mental activity;
• growth, since sulfur affects the division of muscle cells;
• strengthening immunity;
• removal of toxins from the body;
• bowel function.

The product is not given to children under one year old. Other contraindications are gastritis, measles, or enterocolitis.

Important. Salted and pickled cucumbers are contraindicated in patients with heart, renal or hepatic ailments.

For the elderly, whose body is overloaded with medications (and everyone else), cucumbers can partially replace anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, aspirin or ointments for burns.

Besides:

• they prevent muscle loss;
• resist osteoporosis;
• contribute to the prevention of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases.

The use of cucumbers with benefit

Regular, but at the same time moderate, consumption of vegetables improves the general condition of even a healthy person and has a beneficial effect on almost all systems and organs.

To restore water balance:

• eliminate edema, acting as a mild bile and diuretic;
• normalize water-salt balance.

For weight loss - tartronic acid regulates the amount of calories, promotes fat burning and prevents its accumulation in muscle cells.In diet programs, cucumbers are used as a low-calorie source of plant fiber.

To speed up metabolism:

• activate metabolism due to dietary fiber;
• tend to neutralize acidic compounds

For the digestive system:

• do not create a feeling of heaviness after eating;
• cleanse the liver, bring it into working condition;
• thanks to potassium and sodium, they contribute to the detoxification of the body, as they break down and remove toxins;
• prevention of constipation.

For heart:

• normalize the work of the central nervous system;
• cleanse blood vessels;
• resist the formation of cholesterol plaques, which helps to normalize blood pressure;
• improve blood formation.

In treating diabetes, fresh fruits will also be beneficial as they block carbohydrates and the presence of zinc stimulates insulin production.

For therapeutic purposes, not only fresh, but also pickled cucumbers are used, in which lactic acid was formed during the fermentation process, which adds useful qualities to vegetables.

In addition, a low glycemic index in combination with vitamins and minerals has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole body:

• the work of the gastrointestinal tract improves;
• toxins are removed, immunity is strengthened;
• the work of the endocrine system is supported due to the high percentage of iodine in the composition;
• strengthens the cardiovascular system

The norm of pickled cucumbers is no more than two per meal. You can't eat them at night, as they increase your appetite. In severe diabetes, it is mandatory to consult an endocrinologist about the diet.

For the endocrine system:

• facilitate the work of the pancreas;
• control the balance of thyroid hormones.

To enhance immunity, small fruits are suitable, which are more saturated with ascorbic acid than others. If they are present in the diet for the entire period of fruiting, the body will more easily tolerate colds in the cold season.

For skin beauty:

• eliminate inflammation, redness, acne, fat content;
• promote rapid wound healing;
• make the skin soft.

Other:

• promote the dissolution of dental stones, the removal of stones from the kidneys;
• prevent diseases of the oral cavity;
• increase the absorption of protein, thus alleviating the condition of lung diseases and even tuberculosis.

Application in cosmetology and traditional medicine

Many people know the healing properties of cucumber and recipes for remedies where all parts of the vegetable are used, including seeds and juice... Reception of them makes it possible to once again avoid a visit to the doctor.

Cucumbers are used:

• as a remedy for constipation;
• means for weight loss - fasting days are practiced on a cucumber diet;
• with irritation of the skin;
• to eliminate rashes, itching and the consequences of a burn;
• in the treatment of hepatitis;
• to relieve renal colic;
• with bronchitis and atherosclerosis;
• to stop bleeding (a decoction of the foliage is used for oral administration).

Juice, crushed pulp, or just cucumber slices are used as a cosmetic product at home. They are used to moisturize, soothe, tighten, rejuvenate and heal the skin.

Cucumber masks tighten pores on the face well.

In industrial cosmetology, cucumber-based masks, tonics, and creams are made for skin care.

Important. If there are any defects on the skin (abscesses, wounds, scratches, lichen, etc.), it is not recommended to use cucumber-based products. If intolerance is found, their use is prohibited.

Can I use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Cucumbers in the diet are highly desirable for expectant mothers, but it is important not to overestimate their capabilities.

If consumed excessively, there is a risk of diarrhea and dehydration.

Correct application will only benefit:

• eliminate excess weight;
• compensates for iron deficiency;
• normalizes appetite;
• relieve heaviness in the legs when walking.

Contraindications and harm

A few contraindications for use:

• intolerance;
• peptic ulcer and gastritis during an exacerbation;
• renal failure;
• diarrhea caused by infection or eating uncombined foods.

When breastfeeding, the mother can eat no more than 200 g of fresh cucumbers, a larger amount can lead to excessive gas formation in the child.

Terms of use

To properly use cucumbers, it is worth knowing the answers to three questions.

Can I eat with the peel

In the peel of cucumbers and any other vegetables and fruits, the concentration of nutrients is higher than in the whole fruit. But the rule is only true for summer cucumbers. Fertilizers (mainly nitrates) are collected in the skins of early spring fruits, so it is better to get rid of them for safety.

Important! For children under three years old, early cucumbers are contraindicated, even peeled.

Is it possible to eat at night

Vegetables are digested quickly, and two cucumbers will not add weight to the body. But most people eat them with salt, and this creates thirst, leads to excess fluid intake, thereby disrupting sleep.

How many cucumbers can you eat per day

In order not to harm yourself, on average, you can eat no more than 1 kg of cucumbers per day (approximately 2-3 cucumbers at a time).

Recommendations

When buying cucumbers in the market or in a store, consider the following nuances:

• the tail should not be lethargic (a sign of a long-torn fetus);
• the color is bright green;
• the fruit should not shine;
• large fruits have a lot of water and seeds, but there are few useful substances in the pulp;
• the fruit without chemicals smells like fresh cucumber and nothing more.

To be sure of safety, you should buy cucumbers only from reliable trusted sellers in the market or in a store.

It is interesting:

The benefits and harms of cucumber pickle for the body.

Features of pickling cucumbers with citric acid: recipes for 1 and 3 liter jars.

Conclusion

You can get your daily fluid intake by eating a few fresh cucumbers. The vegetable has anti-inflammatory properties, is used in the treatment of cough, ARVI, for the treatment and pain relief of burns and wounds.

Drinking freshly squeezed juice will help with diseases of the liver, cardiovascular system (especially with hypertension and arrhythmias), as well as bronchitis, diabetes, obesity.