Cucumber Benefits

• Cucumber comes from the same family as zucchini, pumpkin, watermelon and squash.  It is cylindrical in shape with a dark green rind and white succulent flesh.

• It has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years in Western Asia, and was introduced to other parts of Europe by the Romans.

• There are 2 types of cucumbers: The pickling varieties- 2 to 4 inches long and the slicing varieties- 6 to 9 inches. It is probably best to avoid eating pickled cucumbers as they have lost most of their vitamins and are also high in sodium.

• The inner temperature of a cucumber can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. No wonder they are such a summertime favorite.

Nutrition Values of Cucumber per 100g:

* Sugars - 1.67 gm

* Dietary Fiber - 0.5 gm

* Fat - 0.11 gm

* Protein - 0.65 gm

* Thiamin (Vitamin B1) - 0.027 mg

* Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - 0.033 mg

* Niacin (Vitamin B3) - 0.098 mg

* Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) - 0.259 mg

* Vitamin B6 - 0.040 mg

* Folate (Vitamin B9) - 7 μg

* Vitamin C - 2.8 mg

* Calcium - 16 mg

* Iron - 0.28 mg

* Magnesium - 13 mg

* Phosphorus - 24 mg

* Potassium - 147 mg

* Zinc 0.20 mg

Reported Cucumber Benefits:

• Cucumber's hard skin is rich in fiber. It also comes naturally packed with the extra fluid you need when consuming more fiber.

• It may help in liver, pancreatic, kidney and urinary bladder diseases.

• Raw cucumber, when applied to the skin, can help reduce heat and inflammation.

• Cucumber can prove to be beneficial in teeth and gum diseases, especially in cases of pyorrhea.

• It contains erepsin, the enzyme that helps in protein digestion.

• Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid that which avert 'water retention' may help in soothing irritated eyes and other bodily problems.

• Being rich in minerals, cucumber helps prevent splitting of nails of the fingers and toes.

• Cucumber is also applied topically for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis.  

• The potassium content makes it useful for high and low blood pressure.

• Those suffering from diabetes have been found to benefit from the consumption of cucumber/cucumber juice.

*Here I'd like to tell you about my favorite diet program that uses a lot of the healthy lower GI foods: Isabel de los Rios' 'The Diet Solution Program'.

The Diet Solution Program favours a long term health orientated approach to fat loss, but not offering anyone a quick fix to their weight troubles. It has loads of valuable data and research to support its approach. I personally investigated the program thoroughly and my mum has been using it for a while now. I have to say she got some great results.

The nutrition plan is one of the healthiest we have seen, a strong core focus on vegetables, fruits, vitamin dense foods, lean proteins, select dairy produce and a clear approach to not expecting one diet to work for all body types. So give it a try and let me know how you’re doing.*

Cucumber Selection and Storage:

• Huge and thick cucumbers may be full of large seeds and bitter. Slender cucumbers will have fewer seeds.

• They should be firm, rounded at their edges with a bright medium to dark green.

• Cucumbers keep well and fresh when wrapped in plastic or paper towel in the refrigerator for several days, but they are best used within 1 to 2 days.






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