Friday 5 December 2014

CUCUMBERS

Cucumbers,  one of the oldest cultivated crops is believed to have originated from  the northern sub-himalayan plains in India  and is known scientifically as cucumissativus. The plant is a creeper due to its easy to grow nature.Cucumbers are cultivated around the world under different climatic zones. It has a sweet taste and a neutral flavour. It is used exclusively in the preparation of stews and curries particularly during  the summer season in the southern parts of India and Sri lanka. In general, the fruit features dark green skin, crispsy,  moisture rich flesh and small edible seeds concentrated at its core.

Cucumbers, like other squash members are best harvested young, tender and just short of reaching maturity; at the stage when they taste sweet, have   crunchy texture and unique  flavour. If  left  to full maturity, the fruit continues to grow in  size, its skin becomes tougher and turns yellow while its seed become hard and inedible. Fresh Cucumbers are available throughout the season and can be eaten raw in vegetable salads  or juicing.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF CUCUMBERS
1. It  is one of the  very low calorie vegetables providing just 15 calories per 100g.
2. It contains no saturated fats or cholestrol.
3.Cucumber peel is a good source of fiber that helps reduce constipation and also offer  some protection against colon cancer through elimination of toxic wastes from our system.
4. As a good source of potassium,  it is good in the control of blood pressure.
5. Cucumbers  contain anti-oxidants like  carotene, vitamin a and c, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds help act as  protection against free radicals and this plays a role  in the aging process.
6. Cucumbers are known to contain three lignans ;lariciresinol, pinoresinol and  secoisolariciresinol which research has proved to have a connection with reducing the risk of cancers like breast, ovarian, uterine and  postate cancers.7. Research has shown that Cucumbers  is instrumental in the area of bone mass building because of its high content of vitamin c.
8. It promotes joint health, relieves gout and arthritis pain.
9. Cucumbers contain silica which helps to strengthen connective tissues.
10. They contain  vitamins  A, B1, B6 , C  AND D, folate, calcium, magnesium and potassium which are known to lower uric acid levels.
11. It helps cut the neuronal damage in the brain  in the case of Alzheimer patients.
12. A  slice of cucumbers taken and pressed to the roof of the mouth kills bacteria  in the mouth and helps to reduce  bad breath.
13. Diabetic patients will find Cucumber very helpful. Its juice  contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancrease for the  production of insulin  which is beneficial to them.
14. Cucumbers contain 50 grams of water. This helps to hydrate the body.

On the whole, Cucumbers contain three major  nutritional  ingredients; vitamins, minerals and water These three are very essential for good health and  our  total well-being .Cucumber  is a good  nutritional choice because  it contains dietary fiber that aids digestion, giving your  system  enough time to absorb essential nutrients that are vital for good health.
 




No comments:

Post a Comment