Cucumber, scientific name is Cucumis sativus, belongs to the family Gourd , is a vegetable that has been cultivated for a long time and is native to South Asia.
Currently, cucumbers are widely grown all over the world, in which the countries with the largest cucumber production are China, the Netherlands, Egypt, Russia, the United States, Japan, Spain and Turkey. .
Cucumbers, also known as cucumbers, have creeping stems that take root in the ground, growing and growing on trellises (or supports). The cucumber is cylindrical, oblong with two pointed ends, up to 62cm long and about 10cm in diameter.
Because it is 95% water, cucumbers are considered a berry, but have a hard (or thin depending on the variety) skin and no dividing lines inside the fruit. In general, the texture is similar to a squash, so cucumbers are considered more of a vegetable than a vegetable.
Cucumbers also have many different varieties and you can come across some popular cucumbers on the market such as: snake cucumber (Armenian cucumber), sword cucumber (Japanese cucumber), Kirby cucumber, melon lemon cucumber, Persian cucumber, stomach cucumber (baby cucumber), sticky cucumber, Thai cucumber F1, white cucumber, prickly cucumber, cat cucumber, smooth bunch cucumber, Shiraz cucumber, …
Cucumbers are low in calories, around 45 calories, along with some of the outstanding nutrients inside each raw cucumber (weighing 300g) as follows:
In it, scientists recommend that: we should eat cucumber skins because the fiber content along with some minerals and vitamins are also concentrated in this part.
Here are some outstanding health benefits of cucumber if you use the right portion in your diet:
Cucumbers are rich in antioxidants such as tannins and flavonoids , which have the ability to inhibit the activity of harmful free radicals , thereby reducing the risk of common chronic diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, etc. autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Cucumber water content of about 96% occupied, this can increase the hydration and affects many different activities within the body. In particular, this process also affects metabolism, temperature regulation, and transport of nutrients and waste.
Low in calories but rich in fiber and water, cucumbers are popularly used in the diets of people who lose weight.
According to the analysis results indicate : eating foods that contain lots of water and low in calories, such as cucumber, related to the reduction of body weight significantly.
Several studies done in test tubes and in animals have demonstrated that cucumbers can lower blood sugar levels, thereby preventing diabetes-related complications.
Not only that, it was also discovered that cucumber peel extract is also beneficial for the health of people with diabetes. Some other studies even show that cucumber has the effect of reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting the occurrence of complications related to diabetes.
The habit of eating cucumber will promote hydration combined with drinking enough water will improve stool consistency and prevent constipation .
In addition, the fiber content in cucumbers also supports healthy bowel movements. In particular, the type of soluble fiber pectin can help increase the frequency of bowel movements and promote the number of beneficial bacteria inside the intestinal tract, so that the digestive system works better.
The taste is cool and crispy, you can process cucumbers into many delicious and attractive dishes such as pickling, salad dressing , juice or eating directly with fried dishes and grilled dishes .
Cucumbers contain vitamin K, vitamin D, and calcium, all of which are beneficial for bone health. Specifically, vitamin K is needed for blood clotting and combines with calcium to enhance the absorption of this mineral into the body, thereby helping to strengthen bones.
Belonging to the cucurbit family, cucumbers have a high nutrient content, in which the bitter taste of this melon is called cucurbitacin . The compound cucurbitacin has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, thereby preventing cancer.
The ingredient fisetin is also found in cucumbers, which are flavonoid compounds with anti-cancer properties. Or the amount of fiber in this vegetable also works against colorectal cancer.
With fiber and potassium content, cucumber can improve heart health significantly. Specifically, fiber as increased satiety and reduced levels of cholesterol , while potassium have lower blood pressure effect.
The vitamin B9 content in this root vegetable may help reduce the risk of stroke.
Cucumber has anti-inflammatory properties , thereby improving and overcoming inflammatory conditions that cause a number of common diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune, cardiovascular, depression and cancer.
Some nutrients in cucumber can be used for skin care by applying cucumber directly to the skin or blending cucumber with a natural toner .
These ways will help the skin become fresh, tighten pores, improve dry skin, reduce blackheads, reduce swelling and irritation such as improving sunburn.
Studies have shown that fiber from fruits and vegetables like cucumbers is effective in preventing diverticulitis flare-ups.
The flavonoid compound fisetin in cucumbers has interested scientists for its properties that protect nerve cells and improve memory as well as reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease . This is the result of a review published in the journal Antioxidants & Redox Signaling in 2013.
If you hold a slice of cucumber in your mouth for about 30 seconds, you can reduce bad breath thanks to phytochemicals .
Not only that, it was also discovered that cucumber juice also helps astringent inflammation in the oral cavity, acting like natural gum, thereby keeping the mouth clean.
Drinking alcohol will make the body feel uncomfortable and have a headache. Therefore, after drinking alcohol, try eating a few slices of cucumber to improve these symptoms, thanks to cucumbers containing B vitamins, electrolytes and many other nutrients.
With minerals and vitamins, cucumber can help bones and joints become strong and function better.
The habit of using cucumber regularly and properly will reduce the amount of uric acid inside the kidneys, thereby helping this organ work effectively and minimizing kidney problems.
Thanks to its high content of water and fiber, cucumber is a food that can help you eliminate toxins through urination and defecation.
The nutrient composition in cucumbers is very diverse, especially vitamin A , vitamin C and vitamin B, all of which contribute to improving the health of the immune system as well as providing energy for the body to function every day.
The sterol compounds in cucumbers have the ability to reduce bad LDL cholesterol , thereby helping you to prevent and improve symptoms related to heart disease.
Using cucumber incorrectly or eating too much can cause your body to experience some harms as follows:
Cucumber seeds contain cucurbitin and the fatty oil in this vegetable has mild diuretic properties. At the same time, cucumbers are cold, meaning that if you eat too much, your body will urinate a lot.
This causes the body to lose water and electrolytes, thereby causing an imbalance of these two components inside the body and affecting general health.
The tetracyclic triterpenoids and cucurbitacins in cucumbers are what give them their bitter taste when you eat them. According to some studies, these compounds can cause serious health problems for you.
Cucumber core is rich in vitamin C, but if you consume too much of this core, your body will absorb a large amount of vitamin C every day.
At this time, vitamin C will convert into a pro-oxidant, promoting the development of free radicals that damage healthy cells, thereby appearing more diseases.
If you're allergic to ragweed, you're also likely to be allergic to cucumbers after you eat them. One of these allergy signs is oral allergy syndrome (OAS) such as swelling of the tongue, swelling of the throat, hives, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness.
Excessive consumption of vitamin C from cucumbers can have the opposite effect, which is to promote premature aging by affecting the amount of free radicals present inside the body.
The high potassium content in cucumbers can cause you to experience abdominal pain and bloating. Even if the body contains too much potassium, it will make the kidney function significantly reduced.
And yet, a lot of water in the body (due to eating cucumbers in large quantities) will unintentionally put pressure on blood vessels and the heart. If this condition continues, it also makes the body lose electrolyte balance, causing shortness of breath and headaches.
Due to its cooling properties, cucumbers should not be used in the diet by people with sinusitis or respiratory problems, as it will make the condition worse.
Cucumber skin contains many minerals (magnesium, silica , potassium) and fiber. In particular, if the body absorbs too much potassium, the function of the kidneys will gradually decrease. This can even cause some intestinal problems such as abdominal pain and bloating.
The cucurbitacin component in cucumbers is difficult for the body to digest, causing gas to accumulate inside, especially those with intestinal problems. In other words, if indigestion occurs when eating cucumbers, there may be signs of edema and bloating.
Eating too many cucumbers can make pregnant women experience many unpleasant problems such as indigestion, bloating and abdominal pain, affecting the fetus.
If you are taking specific medications such as blood thinners and consuming too much cucumber, it may cause an imbalance in the vitamin K content in your body. This affects the blood clotting process as well as reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
In many cases, you feel the bitter taste when eating cucumbers (cucumbers). At this point, you can apply 1 of 2 ways as follows:
First, cut off the 2 ends of the cucumber. Next, you rub vigorously the first 2 parts cut in a circle right on the fruit until a milky white foam appears. Finally, you wash away the milky white foam to reduce the bitter taste in the cucumber.
First, cut the cucumber lengthwise into 2. Then sprinkle iodized salt on the surface of the halves, then rub them together until milky white foam appears. Finally, you wash the cucumbers under water and you're done!