Cucumber: composition and useful properties

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 16:12

Cucumber is a member of the gourd family. The stem of such a plant varies in size from 1 to 2 meters. The cucumber has special tendrils with which it is attached to the ground or other support. The flowers are small, yellow. They mostly eat unripe, green fruits, but there are also lovers of ripe cucumbers. It is usually large in size and has a characteristic yellow color. Cucumbers have been eaten for over 6,000 years. India is considered the birthplace of this culture. There, cucumbers grow on trees, in the forest, like creepers.

In our century, various hybrid varieties of cucumber began to be bred. There are varieties that grow as shrubs. Some of the new varieties are seedless.

Varieties of cucumbers

By variety, cucumbers are divided into:

• Pickling - have a dark green color and black spikes. The skin of these species is denser.
• Salad - such cucumbers are smooth to the touch, the peel is softer. Cucumber has a sweet taste without bitterness.
• Winter - these varieties ripen for a long time. Color can be any. The length of such cucumbers ranges from 15 to 35 centimeters. In winter, as a rule, they are more popularlarge, smooth varieties with white spikes.
• Summer - these varieties are smaller than winter ones. They usually grow 6-20 centimeters long. Such cucumbers ripen faster and have better taste.
• Beam - a very popular variety of cucumber. It is distinguished by high fertility - about 8 ovaries are formed on one branch. Such varieties, as a rule, have gherkin fruits. Very good for s alting.
• Shade-tolerant - often summer cucumbers are best planted in a sunny garden, with the exception of this species, which feels great in the shade.
• Early - this species is suitable for those who want to get a crop as quickly as possible. On average, such a cucumber ripens from 45 to 50 days.
• With a long ripening period - the ripening period of this cucumber is more than 50 days. They have excellent taste.
• Cold-resistant - a very unpretentious type of cucumber. Tolerates various temperature fluctuations. Drought tolerant.
• Bee-pollinated - in order to harvest the best crop, empty flowers are sown along with ordinary seeds, then pollination by insects will be of better quality and, accordingly, there will be a rich harvest.
• Parthenocarpic - this type of cucumber is most suitable for growing in greenhouses, although it can also be grown in beds. Such a plant does not require pollination by bees.

Chemical composition and nutritional value of cucumber

The chemical composition of fresh cucumber is quite rich. This product is considered extremely beneficial for humanorganism. Cucumber contains carotene and vitamins:

• B_1;
• B_2;
• B_{9 (folic acid)}
• S.

Also, the fruits are rich in the following trace elements:

• iron;
• phosphorus;
• potassium
• sodium;
• manganese;
• chlorine;
• chrome;
• copper;
• zinc;
• iodine;
• silver.

The peel of this fruit contains a lot of fiber. The composition of cucumber can vary greatly depending on the place of growth and soil.

Nutritional value of fresh cucumber per 100 grams:

• proteins - 0.8 gr;
• fats - 0.1 gr;
• carbohydrates - 2.5 gr;
• energy value - 14 kcal.

Useful properties

This fruit can be safely attributed to the diet. A lot of people love cucumbers. The composition and nutritional value of this product are ideal for those who want to lose weight. With the help of a cucumber, this can be done easily. It can be found in many diets. The composition of the cucumber includes almost one water - 95-98%. The remaining 2-5 percent is occupied by useful substances. Cucumber has a positive effect on the human body:

• Reduces the risk of kidney and liver stones.
• Good for the heart and blood vessels.
• Improves thyroid function.
• Has a laxative effect.
• Reduces swelling due to the fact that it can remove excess fluid from the body.
• Slightly lowers blood pressurepressure.
• Cucumber seeds, able to cleanse the body of cholesterol.
• Has a rejuvenating effect.
• Improves skin tone and maintains its tone.
• Good for he althy teeth and gums.
• Has a mild analgesic effect.
• In folk medicine, it is used as a remedy for chronic cough.

Contraindications

Despite its useful qualities, this product still has contraindications. To whom is cucumber contraindicated? The composition of the product is such that it primarily acts as a powerful cleanser. This is contraindicated for people:

• With kidney failure.
• With acute hepatitis.
• With exacerbation of gastritis, colitis.
• With biliary dyskinesia during an exacerbation.

Cucumber is also contraindicated in case of individual intolerance. The chemical composition of this product may cause allergic reactions.

Cucumber Dishes and Preservation

Fresh fruit is usually used in cooking. Heat treatment, apart from conservation, is rarely used. Salads are made from cucumber, such as vinaigrette or olivier. They are simply put on the table in a cut form. Pickles are added to some soups, such as pickle. Although there are some recipes in which the fruits are fried, boiled, baked. The taste of such dishes is specific. In addition, heat treatment destroys most of the nutrients. Canned cucumbers according to different recipes. They are:

• Marinated - prepared with hot brine.
• S alted - for the preparation of this type of cucumbers, a cold pickling method is used.
• Lightly s alted - like marinated, they are poured with hot brine. The fastest way.

Can children have cucumber

Many children love this product very much. The chemical composition of cucumber is very beneficial for the growing organism. It is considered one of the safest for baby food. However, in order for the cucumber to benefit the child, you must follow simple rules:

• Buy cucumbers only in high season. Winter or too early varieties tend to contain chemical additives.
• Before use, it must be thoroughly washed and peeled. It usually contains most of the chemicals that make up the cucumber.
• It is better not to buy too beautiful fruits of the same size. This is also a sign of adding chemicals to the soil where the cucumber grew.

The chemical composition of this product may cause allergic reactions in children. In addition, cucumber is contraindicated in children:

• With individual congenital intolerance.
• Allergic to pollen.
• With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.