Cucumbers - benefits and contraindications

If suddenly someone conducted a survey among the population, the purpose of which would be to find out if there is anything simpler than a steamed turnip, the answer "cucumber" would certainly take the lead. And this would reflect the opinion of most people about this vegetable. It is worth figuring out if the cucumber is really so simple.

General information

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This vegetable was brought to Russia from East Asia in the 9th century. In India, considered its homeland, cucumbers were known as early as the 3rd century BC.

This annual plant, which is a "false" berry, belongs to the gourd family. Its fruits are among those that are consumed unripe.

This plant thrives best in climates characterized by high humidity, high temperatures, and plenty of light.

vegetable benefits

The benefits of cucumbers are as follows:

  • Water, 95% of cucumbers, is comparable in purity to distilled water. Therefore, with their help, you can not only quench your thirst, with regular use, you can also cleanse your body of toxins, as well as get rid of a couple of extra years.
  • Important is the content of iodine in the pulp of the vegetable, which prevents diseases of the vascular system and the thyroid gland, and has a positive effect on the development of mental abilities.
  • Enzymes, which are part of cucumbers, help the absorption of proteins and fats of animal origin. This makes them a great addition to meat dishes.
  • They contribute to the normal functioning of the heart, lower blood pressure.
  • The acids contained in the vegetable (folic, nicotinic, ascorbic), chlorophyll and carotene help to overcome digestive problems. Their use significantly improves appetite.
  • The benefits of cucumbers also lie in their choleretic and diuretic properties. Regular consumption of freshly squeezed juice of this vegetable has a positive effect on the health of people suffering from diseases of the gallbladder, liver, and prostate gland. In this case, meat, sugar, starch should be avoided.
  • Regular consumption of vegetables prevents the appearance of edema and helps to get rid of existing ones. Potassium, which is part of their composition, is involved in the process of removing water from the body. This property is very attractive for those seeking to lose weight. When losing weight, it is important not to forget that it is fresh vegetables that are useful, but not pickles.
  • Due to the low sugar content, this product is very desirable in the diet of diabetics.
  • The benefits of cucumbers are also indisputable because of the high content of fiber in it, which helps to remove toxins and cholesterol from the body, preventing atherosclerosis, and has a positive effect on the stomach, stimulates it. This product is ideal for people with heart, kidney, liver, gout problems.
  • The benefits of cucumbers are also known in folk medicine. There they are used as antipyretics and painkillers.
  • The role of this vegetable in cosmetology is also important. It perfectly copes with edema, perfectly cleanses, moisturizes, rejuvenates the skin. Many cosmetic products include cucumber extract.

Harm cucumbers

Many people mistakenly consider this vegetable to be useless, but few people are able to believe in the harm of cucumbers. In fact, there are contraindications:

  • Due to the ability to increase the acidity of gastric juice, eating cucumbers is strongly not recommended for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
  • The laxative properties of cucumbers make them undesirable in the diet of nursing mothers.
  • The benefits of pickled cucumbers do not apply to those suffering from atherosclerosis, liver diseases, hypertension and impaired water-salt metabolism. Pickled cucumbers are also contraindicated for these people.
  • In the case of pregnancy, the presence of nephritis and a decrease in thyroid function, salted and pickled vegetables can also be harmful to health.
  • Even if you do not belong to the above categories of people, you should monitor the amount of vegetables consumed. Their excessive amount can harm people who require restriction of fluid intake. For example, in case of kidney diseases, 100-200 g of cucumbers will be the norm. And when losing weight, you need to remember that by eating large portions that exceed the volume of the stomach, you risk getting an increase in appetite. Therefore, despite the low calorie content, you should watch the portion size, even when you eat cucumbers.
  • But the greatest harm to health can be caused by high-nitrate early cucumbers purchased on the market. It is categorically contraindicated to give them to children, it would also be useful for adults to beware and use products of proven origin.

Selection and storage of cucumbers

It should be borne in mind that the maximum benefit can be obtained from eating only freshly picked fruits; over time, their vitamin content decreases. The most effective for medicinal purposes are small fruits.

It is not advisable to store cucumbers in an open container. It is best to keep them in the refrigerator, observing a certain humidity. Some varieties can be stored up to 15 days.