Cucumbers: What Are They?
Cucumbers are a common garden vegetable that is tall, lean, and green. Although technically they are fruits related to watermelons and pumpkins, most people consider them vegetables.
Cucumbers are native to India, have a melon-like flavor, and can be slightly bitter at times.
Types of Cucumbers
There are two major categories:
Cucumber slices are typically eaten raw in salads. They can grow up to 12 inches long and have smooth skin. There are "burpless" variants with less cucurbitacin, a plant component. This gives them a softer flavor and may cause you to burp less afterward. They're also known as "seedless cucumbers" and "European cucumbers."
Pickling cucumbers are smaller than regular cucumbers and are used to create pickles. They can grow 3-7 inches long, with bumps or spines on their skin.
Cucumber's Nutritional Advantages
Cucumber has roughly eight calories per serving (half a cup). They are around 95% water and include minor amounts of vitamin K and vitamin A. They also contain lignans, which are phytonutrients (plant compounds).
The following are the ingredients in one medium unpeeled, raw cucumber:
30 calories
0 grams of total fat
Carbohydrates: 6 g
3 g of protein
2-gram fiber
10% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C (DV)
Vitamin K: 57% of the daily value
Magnesium: 9% of the daily value
Potassium: 12% of the daily value
Manganese: 9% of the daily value
Cucumber's Health Benefits
Cucumbers contain a lot of water, which can help you stay hydrated. Additionally, the fiber increase they provide allows you to maintain your regularity and avoid constipation.
Vitamin K aids in forming blood clots and the maintenance of bone health. Vitamin A performs various functions, including assisting vision, the immune system, and reproduction. It also ensures that organs such as your heart, lungs, and kidneys function properly.
Lignans may aid in the prevention of osteoporosis, heart disease, and some malignancies.
Antioxidants in cucumbers, such as beta carotene, can help your body combat free radicals, which are unpaired electrons that harm cells and cause disease.
Cucumbers may offer health benefits that extend beyond your body. Applying them to your skin could help relieve sunburn pain, edema, and skin damage. That's why some people place a slice or two under their eyes in the hopes of shrinking bags and reducing puffiness.
Cucumber's Dangers
Cucumbers pose little danger when consumed. Pesticides used by producers may be a source of worry. Peel the skin off or wash it under warm running water before eating. This will ensure that your cucumber is safe to eat.
Cucumbers have a natural wax coating on their skin. Because washing cucumbers after picking them removes the wax, producers apply synthetic wax before shipping them to supermarkets. The wax helps them last longer on the shelf and also traps germs. Although the wax isn't dangerous in and of itself, peeling the cucumber skin before eating it can reduce the possibility of infection. On the other hand, the skin is where the majority of the nutrients are found. Buying organic and thoroughly washing your cucumbers before eating is a better alternative.
Cucumber Preparation and Storage
Cucumbers are often washed, sliced, and tossed into salads. If you want to soak them in saltwater first, that's a good idea. This will reduce the quantity of water in the cucumbers, preventing your salad dressing from becoming watery.
Cucumber peels can be consumed. It will supplement your diet with fiber and vitamin A. Just make sure the cucumber is clean first.
Avoid yellow, swollen cucumbers, or have sunk-in patches, bulges, or wrinkled ends while shopping. Those overripe cucumbers will be unpleasant to eat. Instead, aim for vivid, firm, medium to dark green, and thin cucumbers. Any bruising or black areas on your body are indications of deterioration.
Cucumbers should be kept unpeeled in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Use them within a week if they have a wax covering that gives them a gleaming appearance. Use them sooner if they don't have a wax coating. They will turn floppy and limp if left out at room temperature for too long.