Cucumber is a very low calorie vegetable but rich in water, minerals and antioxidants that help to hydrate the body and maintain the proper functioning of the intestine, thus ensuring health.
In addition to pulp, bark and seeds can also be ingested and are rich in fiber and beta-carotene, which contribute to the health of the eyes, skin and hair.
So, the health benefits of cucumber are:
- Helps you lose weight, why it is low in calories and gives you a feeling of satiety;
- Improves muscle contraction and health by containing potassium and magnesium;
- It improves blood circulation, being low in fat and rich in water;
- Maintains hydration, because it is made mainly of water;
- Improves intestinal transit, due to the presence of fibers;
- Prevents cancer because it is rich in flavonoids and lignans, which are powerful antioxidants;
- Improves skin, nail, eye and hair health by containing antioxidants and carotenoids;
- Improves heart health by being rich in potassium.
The rigid shell of the cucumber and its rich interior in water, guarantee an always lower temperature than the environment, which makes it excellent for refreshing and toning the skin when placed on the skin or under the dark circles for example.
To obtain these benefits, one should consume 1 to 3 units of cucumber per week, and can be used in salads, juices and in the form of pickles. But when the cucumber digestion is not well made, a good alternative for the power to consume is to put cucumber slices in the water and drink the water during the day. For each liter of water, it is recommended to put about 250 g of cucumber.
Nutrition information and how to use it
The following table represents the nutritional composition of 100 g raw cucumber:
Carbohydrate | 1.7 g | Carotenoids | 35 mcg |
Protein | 1.4 g | Potassium | 140 mg |
Fat | 0.6 g | Magnesium | 8 mg |
Fiber | 0.7 g | Phosphor | 18 mg |
Energy | 19 Kcal | --- |
The cucumber can be consumed raw, added in juices and vitamins or consumed in the form of pickles, which preserves the food for longer. But not all people can efficiently digest the cucumber, and a good alternative to eating fiber and vitamins with fewer calories is by eating zucchini or eggplant. Know the importance that fibers have for health.
Cucumber Pickles Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cider or apple vinegar;
- 1 tablespoon of sugar;
- 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger;
- 1 Japanese cucumber.
Method of preparation:
Mix the sugar, vinegar and ginger and stir until all the sugar dissolves. Add the finely chopped cucumber slices with the peel and leave for at least two hours in the refrigerator before serving.
Cucumber Detox Juice
Ingredients:
- 2 apples in shell;
- 1 medium cucumber;
- 3 mint leaves.
Method of preparation:
Remove the seeds from the apples and beat all the ingredients in the blender. Drink ice cream without adding sugar. See other cucumber juice recipes that help you lose weight.
Cucumber salad
Ingredients:
- 4 leaves of lettuce;
- 1/2 bunch of watercress;
- 1 tomato in large cubes;
- 1 boiled egg;
- 1 cucumber in strips or in cubes;
- 1 grated carrot;
- Olive oil, vinegar, parsley, lemon and oregano for seasoning.
Method of preparation:
Cook the egg and cut the vegetables, mixing everything and seasoning as you wish. Serve fresh as a starter for lunch or dinner. If you wish, you can add shredded chicken or tuna to consume for dinner. See other great salad recipes for weight loss.