Cucumbers: health benefits and harms

One of the most popular vegetables in the world today is cucumber. This can be argued on the basis that July 27 is annually celebrated as the International Cucumber Day.

But, few people know that cucumber is not a vegetable, because it belongs to the pumpkin family and is sometimes called the “false berry”.

Types of Cucumbers

Thinking about which cucumbers to give preference, first of all you need to decide on the purpose of their acquisition.

Cucumbers are:

1. Universal. They have an average taste and have a medium density pulp. This type is the most popular and suitable for any purpose: for the preparation of salads, preservation and salting. It belongs to the early ripening. A distinctive feature of their appearance is white and black small spikes on a light green fruit, with light stripes. It tastes sweet, crispy and fragrant. Universal cucumbers are highly resistant to drought and many diseases, do not require special care conditions.
2. Salting. These varieties of cucumbers are characterized by a thin peel and dense pulp, which help them with minimal losses to endure culinary manipulations and evenly absorb the brine. Such a special structure allows them to transfer even very long storage in brine without deformation. They are ideal for salting and for preservation. Their dimensions can reach a length of 16 cm, which is ideal for their tight placement in the bank. The flavoring qualities of pickles make it possible to successfully use them both fresh and for salads. The disadvantage of this variety is the short shelf life - they quickly fade, turn yellow and deteriorate. Such cucumbers often have many small black spikes and a dark green peel.
3. Snack cucumbers are gherkins. They got their name due to their small, pleasant size and crisp structure. Most often they are grown in a greenhouse. They have the shape of a cylinder and can reach a length of only 4 cm. Collect them before they are fully ripe. Their main advantage is a special, pleasant taste and comfortable shape. They are widely used in the preparation of pickles and then used as a separate snack or added to sandwiches, pizza or salads. They also produce a particularly tasty sauce. The main part of gherkins is grown in India.
4. Lettuce Cucumbers. They have larger fruits (both in length and in width), have a more rich taste and aroma. Their peel is dense and smooth, most often plain. They contain much more sugar. During culinary processing, such cucumbers are likely to lose their shape and taste, and a thick skin will not allow to be salted evenly.This species is most often used on sale, as it is stored much longer than other cucumbers.

What is the difference between pickles and pickles

Not everyone can answer the question of what is the difference between pickled and pickled cucumbers. Reflecting on this, the first thing that catches your eye is the different composition of the brine for their preparation and the completely different processing process.

For pickled cucumbers, it is mandatory to prepare a saturated marinade. By its taste, it strongly resembles sea water, hence the name - translated from Latin as “marinus” means “sea”. Also, its name is due to the fact that the first marinade for cucumbers, meat and other products was ordinary sea water.

The main distinguishing feature of the marinade for vegetables is the presence of acid - it is it that provides the conservation process. It usually consists of: salt, sugar, various spices (most of which are peppercorns), vinegar or citric acid. Pour cucumbers with hot brine, pasteurize and roll 1.5–3 liters into cans. To prepare this preservation, you should carefully choose the products: if you miss the cucumber, even with a little rot, the jars can explode, and the brine will certainly be spoiled by unpleasant fermentation. When choosing cucumbers for preservation, you should pay attention not only to their variety (universal or pickling), but also to carefully examine for the absence of external damage, yellowness and softness. It is best to choose medium-sized crisp cucumbers of about the same size.

The composition of the brine for pickles does not include acid, which serves as their main difference from pickled. Traditionally, they are salted in large wooden barrels. For salting, a large number of spices, herbs, various leaves, garlic, onions are used, coriander, mustard, pepper and caraway seeds are also added. Cucumbers are first washed well, then laid on a pillow of currant leaves, periodically laying layers with other vegetables and herb leaves. Then it is all poured with a saline solution (approximately 15–20% salt). The brine of such cucumbers is considered useful - it is saturated with potassium, a lot of spice oils, the juice of the vegetables themselves, perfectly quenches thirst and relieves the symptoms of a hangover.

Composition and calorie content

The calorie content of cucumbers varies from 10 to 16 calories per 100 g, depending on the variety.

95% of the cucumber consists of a liquid - structured water. This is of great benefit to the human body, since structured water removes harmful toxins, excess salt and waste from the body, and cleans the kidneys well.

Also included in the composition of the cucumber:

1. Beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant and a vital element. It slows down the oxidation processes in the body, has preventive properties against eye diseases and visual impairment.
2. Vitamin A, it is also called anti-infectious due to the positive effect on the protective functions of the body and antimicrobial action. It also strengthens nails and accelerates wound healing.
3. Vitamin B1 plays an indispensable role in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It reduces appetite and slows down the aging process, neutralizes the negative effects on the human body of alcohol and smoking.
4. Vitamin B2 plays an important role in the process of blood formation, regulates growth processes and positively affects reproductive function.
5. Ascorbic acid plays an important role for human immunity and the production of hormones. Vitamin C is involved in the production of collagen and prolongs the body's youth.
6. Vitamin PP (or B3) is necessary to maintain the health and normal functioning of the body, it normalizes the functioning of the heart, the production of hormones and supports a healthy looking skin.
7. Potassium regulates the water balance and supplies the brain with oxygen, increasing its working capacity and improving memory.
8. Magnesium is necessary for the health of the nervous system and the normal functioning of muscles.It provides the ability to obtain energy from sugar in the blood and normalizes the work of the endocrine and cardiovascular system.
9. Zinc is essential for bone formation and helps prevent the development of diabetes and arthritis.
10. Copper helps the body to produce hemoglobin, activates the process of cell growth and collagen production.
11. Manganese lowers cholesterol and promotes healthy connective tissue, cartilage and bone.
12. Iron is indispensable in the production of hemoglobin in the blood and protects the body from harmful bacteria.
13. Chlorine cleanses the liver of fat and regulates the acid-base balance.
14. Iodine is necessary for good brain function, improves human performance and helps to fight excess weight.
15. Chromium is involved in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of the body, and also strengthens bone tissue and helps to maintain normal weight.
16. Phosphorus improves metabolism and the ability of cells to regenerate, strengthens tooth enamel.
17. Sodium supports the normal acid-base balance of the body and promotes the production of gastric juice.
18. Vitamin B9 is indispensable in the process of growth and the formation of new cells, especially necessary for children during the period of active growth.

Cucumber is a champion in fiber. Regular eating normalizes digestive processes and improves the digestibility of nutrients from food.

What are the benefits of fresh cucumbers

For women

Benefits of use:

1. Maintenance of beauty and skin tone.
2. Prevention of digestive disorders.
3. Improving metabolism.
4. Giving hair shine, accelerating its growth and preventing split ends.
5. Slowing down the aging process.
6. Regulation of hormones in the body.
7. Weight Gain Prevention

For men

The benefits of eating fresh cucumbers:

1. Prevention of cardiovascular disease.
2. Increased availability.
3. Memory improvement.
4. Lower cholesterol.
5. Normalization of the digestive system.
6. Increase potency.
7. Liver cleansing.
8. Analgesic effect.

During pregnancy

Vitamins, fiber and trace elements found in properly grown cucumbers are a real find for expectant mothers. Women carrying a child just need a large amount of healthy plant foods to avoid depletion of the body and vitamin deficiency, as well as provide the baby with all the conditions for proper development.

Benefits of use:

• reduced risk of weight gain and overeating during pregnancy;
• prevention of edema;
• stool normalization;
• mood improvement;
• normalization of sleep;
• increased physical activity.

During pregnancy, preference should be given to fresh cucumbers, and the consumption of salted and pickled should be limited and their quality strictly controlled. It is best to avoid buying ready-made pickles and give preference to homemade blanks. So you can avoid eating harmful substances for the baby.

Choosing between pickles and pickles, it is best to eat the latter. High levels of acid in pickled preparations have a negative effect on the body. The use of pickles must be limited due to the high salt content and possible consequences in the form of edema and weight gain. Also, you should not eat pickled cucumbers because of the high content of vinegar - in the future mother, he can provoke anemia.

In order for the expectant mother not to be attracted to the “salty” diet, it is necessary to maintain a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the diet, adhere to the diet — often in small portions, and not eat semi-finished foods.

Contraindications to the use of cucumbers during pregnancy can be indigestion, excessive gas formation and allergic reactions.

When breastfeeding

Of course, nursing mothers need cucumbers, as they contain many useful substances necessary for her and the baby.

Benefits of use:

• improving protein digestibility;
• normalization of digestion;
• diuretic effect;
• stool normalization;
• increased performance;
• improved brain function;
• mood improvement;
• normalization of weight after childbirth;
• improvement of skin and hair.

It is necessary to carefully introduce cucumbers into the diet of a breast-feeding mother, since newborns often suffer from abdominal pain caused by the fermentation process. Cucumbers can enhance this process. It is necessary to introduce them into the diet no earlier than 5 months after the birth, when the baby’s stomach is already working.

It is best to eat the product in the morning, in small quantities, in order to monitor possible side effects during the day. If after this there is bloating in the baby, diarrhea and colic - a woman should refrain from eating cucumbers. If the baby feels well, you can continue to increase the amount of vegetable, but do it gradually and do not abuse it.

You should refrain from consuming cucumbers in winter - most often they are grown in greenhouses with a lot of chemicals, which can lead to poisoning and abdominal pain.

It is also necessary to abandon pickled cucumbers and limit the use of salted.

With abuse, such problems in the baby are possible:

• bloating;
• increased thirst;
• nervousness and sleep disorder;
• allergy;
• disorders of the stool.

For children

The benefits of eating cucumbers:

1. The presence of useful minerals, vitamins and trace elements necessary during the period of active growth.
2. Prevention of the development of disease.
3. Strengthening immunity.
4. Improving digestion.
5. Normalization of the thyroid gland.
6. Increased brain performance.
7. The formation of healthy bone tissue.

To avoid problems with the stomach, you do not need to start giving cucumbers to the child before he turns one year old. This is due to the fact that the baby's body has not yet fully adapted in order to digest this kind of food. Cucumbers can cause loose stools and increased gas production.

To start introducing them into the baby’s diet, at the initial stage, a piece weighing 5 g is enough. If this is not followed by stomach upsets, you can gradually increase the serving. The kid definitely needs to peel the peel from the cucumber, otherwise he just will not digest it.

It is best to start adding mashed potatoes to the menu. So the child will be easier to assimilate the product. After a while, when he gets used to it, you can make finely chopped salads and add dill and parsley to the cucumber, and then tomatoes.

It is necessary to ensure that the products included in the child’s menu are as natural as possible, avoid buying cucumbers in the winter. If your child suffers from gastritis, you must completely refrain from cucumbers. They can also be contraindicated for problems with the liver or kidneys.

It is not necessary to give pickles and pickles to children under three years of age. Then strictly limit their number.

The benefits and harms of pickled and pickled cucumbers

Pickled cucumbers and their brine are considered much more useful than pickled ones, since in the second case most of the useful trace elements are destroyed by acid and a long shelf life.

During salting, cucumbers continue to “live” in the biosphere of fungi, and in the sour marinade, all living things die. Of all the useful qualities, only a pleasant taste and aroma remain. This determines the usefulness of pickles and the uselessness, and sometimes the harm of pickles.

A common advantage of pickled and pickled cucumbers is their long shelf life. Thanks to this, you can eat your favorite vegetables without buying products of dubious quality in the cold season.

It is best to avoid canned shop products and give preference only to homemade pickles. So you can control both the quality of the cucumber fruits and the absence of additives harmful to the human body in the brine: high levels of acetic acid, artificial preservatives and flavorings.

Pickled and pickled cucumbers differ from fresh ones in a more saturated taste. Their use in food has a mild laxative effect, improves digestive processes and increases appetite.

Both types of pickles are most often consumed as an independent snack, but they can also be added both to hot dishes, and to sandwiches or salads to give them a special piquancy.

What is the use of cucumber juice

Cucumber juice is a concentrate of all the useful qualities of a cucumber. It perfectly regulates the acid-base balance of the intestine and has both a preventive effect against diseases and helps fight existing ones.

Cucumber juice helps fight cardiovascular diseases, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, and also restores the balance of potassium and sodium and removes harmful substances from the body.

How to do

To make fresh cucumber you will need a juicer and a few pieces of cucumbers. Such juice can be used not only as an independent product, but also add the juice of other vegetables or fruits, yogurt or honey.

A mixture of cucumber juice with honey will serve as a good cough suppressant and facilitate the discharge of sputum. You can drink up to 1 liter of juice per day. But it is recommended not to use it more than 100 ml at a time.

The benefits of tomato and cucumber salad

Tomato and cucumber salad is one of the most common in the world. Both of these products have a valuable composition for humans, rich in trace elements, vitamins and nutrients.

Tomatoes, like cucumbers, are a powerful antioxidant, help prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease, support the beauty and youth of a person. But the benefits of such a salad are in great doubt. Nutritionists say that the digestion of tomatoes and cucumbers is very different, so the frequent use of such a dish can lead to serious consequences for the digestive system.

Digestion of such food can cause an imbalance in the digestive processes and lead to colic, indigestion and excessive gas formation. Frequent consumption of tomato and cucumber salad can cause problems with the processing of sugar by the body and the absorption of starch.

However, before you remove the salad from the menu, you must first focus on your feelings - if it does not cause discomfort in the stomach, then it can be consumed in moderation.

Can I eat cucumbers when losing weight

Cucumbers have an ideal composition for active weight loss: a large amount of water helps to cleanse the body of toxins, and a high fiber content gives a feeling of quick saturation.

Thus, eating cucumbers, we kind of cheat our stomach - they are 95% water and have very low calorie content. This vegetable can be used as a diuretic effect to normalize stool.

You can also spend fasting days on cucumbers - this will help to clean the intestines as quickly as possible and get rid of excess fluid.

Making cucumbers a staple food, of course, is not worth it, since they cannot replace a complete diet. Soon, an upset stomach and general weakness can overtake. You must follow the rules of a healthy diet, regulate the amount of calories consumed and maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. And then cucumbers will help to speed up metabolism, strengthen the health of the body as a whole and see the coveted slim figure in the mirror.

Cucumbers in medicine

Cucumbers are widely used for the prevention and treatment of diseases. In medicine, not only their fruits are used, but also flowers.

With diabetes

Obesity most often leads to diabetes. Thus, if you regularly eat cucumbers, you will reduce the risk of the disease, as vegetables will help normalize metabolism, speed up metabolism and reduce calories.They can also be on the menu of a patient with diabetes due to their low glycemic index.

Important: glycemic index of fresh cucumber - 20 units.

With pancreatitis

During an exacerbation of the disease, cucumbers need to be excluded from the menu. It is necessary to use them only when the attacks of acute pancreatitis have stopped. They must be introduced into the diet carefully so as not to provoke an upset stomach. It is better to start with half a cucumber, peeling it and peeling it in mashed potatoes, since the peel has a high level of fiber and can cause irritation. When the patient's condition is stabilized, you can begin to enter cucumber salad dressed in vegetable oil on its menu.

Regardless of the stage of pancreatitis, the patient needs to completely exclude pickled and pickled cucumbers from his menu, as a large amount of salt, vinegar and spices will aggravate the course of the disease.

Also, dishes from fresh cucumbers can be used for good fasting days with pancreatitis: the stomach does not have to digest heavy foods, and the pancreas can return to normal during the diet.

With gastritis

In gastritis with high acidity, salted and pickled cucumbers should be completely excluded from the menu. Fresh cucumbers for this disease are relatively neutral, so they can be eaten. The main thing is not to do this during periods of exacerbation of the disease and not to abuse them.

Some rules must be observed:

1. Avoid buying cucumbers grown with nitrites.
2. Before eating, not only wash the vegetables, but also peel them.
3. You can’t salt and pepper.
4. Do not spend fasting days with gastritis.
5. Eat the product moderately; when preparing the salad, the volume of cucumbers should not dominate other vegetables.
6. Exclude cucumbers in any form with gastritis with low acidity.

For the intestines

Fiber, which is rich in cucumbers, serves as a powerful adsorbent for all the poisons that have accumulated in the intestines, as well as cleans it and normalizes stool. Cucumber puree positively affects intestinal motility and cures inflammatory processes. Vegetables are especially useful for spastic colitis.

For constipation

Cucumbers can serve as a good laxative - it is enough to use them in large quantities, prepare cucumber juice and mix it with yogurt or eat it in the form of a salad, well seasoned with sunflower oil. Eating them regularly will help prevent constipation.

With gout

Fresh cucumbers with gout can be eaten in almost unlimited quantities - they help to remove excess salt and acid from the body with urine. They also have a diuretic effect and help get rid of excess fluid.

Pickled and pickled cucumbers must be completely removed from the menu, as they contain a large concentration of substances that aggravate the course of the disease.

With colitis

A diet for colitis should be made individually for each patient. Salted and pickled cucumbers should be eliminated completely, but fresh ones can be used in the preparation of the patient’s daily menu.

With hemorrhoids

For patients suffering from hemorrhoids, it is better to avoid canned vegetables and focus on fresh cucumbers. They will help to avoid the discomfort associated with a violation of the stool.

With cholecystitis

Patients suffering from cholecystitis are allowed to consume fresh cucumbers and their juice, as well as prepare salads by mixing them with other vegetables.

Cucumber-based traditional medicine recipes

Cough and sputum medicine

You need to cook 200 g of juice from cucumbers and add 1.5 tablespoons of honey. Such a tool should be consumed every three hours for 1 tbsp. spoon.

For obesity

It is necessary to spend an unloading day on cucumbers once a week. They can be eaten in any quantity on this day.

For rash and itching

Grate the cucumber and apply this pulp to the skin irritation. You can put a bandage on top of it and walk like that for half an hour.

With increased acidity and gastritis

It is recommended to drink half a glass of cucumber juice an hour before meals. You can also instead use cucumbers with honey.

With tuberculosis or a spleen tumor

Dry the overripe seeds of the cucumber, grind and take inside 1 tbsp. in the morning with water.

With liver diseases

1 tbsp chopped raw materials from overripe fruits and dried stalks of the stem need to pour 200 ml of cold water, and then bring to a boil. According to the recipe, boil for 5 minutes. (no longer) over low heat, then cool the broth, be sure to strain. Take on a regular basis 2 tablespoons 3 times a day before meals.

With hepatitis

Grind ripe cucumbers and roots (about 20-30 grams of the mixture per 1 glass of water), boil for 20 minutes. Then strain and take inside half a cup three times a day.

Cucumbers in cosmetology

Cucumber-based cosmetics are among the most popular products worldwide. This is due not only to the general availability of cucumbers, but, of course, to their rich composition of useful trace elements.

Cucumber favorably affects a person’s beauty in two ways:

1. Inside: cleaning the body of toxins and toxins, neutralizing the effects of smoking and alcohol.
2. Outside: moisturizing and whitening the skin, treating rashes, healing wounds, moisturizing and nourishing the hair, regulating the sebaceous glands.

Cucumber face masks

At home, you can safely use face masks to eliminate puffiness, dark circles under the eyes, to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin. Cucumber effectively establishes the work of the sebaceous glands, removes age spots and brightens the skin. Also, this vegetable is a real salvation against rashes: it fights both acne and allergic rashes.

If there is no time and desire to tinker with the preparation of a cosmetic mask, it will be enough to make cucumber puree or simply spread it on the skin, previously cut into thin circles. It will also be good if you just wipe the skin with a slice of cucumber. By doing so, you can nourish the skin with useful substances and get rid of acne along the way.

Note! Cucumber juice is rich in silicon dioxide and rejuvenates the skin well, giving it elasticity, restoring the oval of the face and eliminating redness.

It must be remembered that cucumber is a seasonal product, therefore, in the cold season, vegetables sold in stores have practically no benefit. The use of cucumbers grown in greenhouse conditions using a large number of pesticides for face masks can lead to irritation and inflammation of the skin.

Face tonic

1. Squeeze juice from 1 medium-sized cucumber, add 2 teaspoons of honey to it and mix.
2. This mixture is best stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for no longer than 4 days.
3. Shake the tonic well before use, apply to the skin with a cotton pad and rinse off after 20 minutes with cold water.

Such a remedy nourishes the skin well, neutralizes inflammatory processes, tightens pores and heals wounds.

Nutritious mask of cucumber and avocado

1. Prepare mashed potatoes from a quarter of cucumber and avocado, add the protein of one egg and one tablespoon of milk or natural yogurt to them.
2. Apply the resulting mixture in circular massage movements on the face, neck and décolleté. After 20-30 minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water and apply a moisturizer.

Mask for dry skin prone to irritation

1. It is necessary to grate half of one cucumber on a fine grater and mix it with a tablespoon of natural yogurt.
2. Apply the gruel to the skin and rinse off after 30 minutes with cold water.

Mask for problem skin
You need to grind one quarter of fresh, pre-chilled cucumber, add a drop of essential oil (you can use rosemary or tea tree oil) and the protein of one egg. Mix the mixture until smooth, apply to the skin, avoiding the area around the eyes, hold for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water. Then apply a moisturizer.

For oily skin
Prepare cucumber-apple puree (1: 1 ratio). Apply the finished mixture to the face and hold for 15-20 minutes. If you do this mask regularly, 2 times a week, then the work of the sebaceous glands will be established.

Also, for a similar effect, you can use a mask made from finely chopped cucumber and oatmeal. They need to be mixed to the consistency of homemade sour cream, applied to the face and washed off after 30 minutes with warm water. Then wipe the face with tonic.

For acne
Cucumber has good antiseptic and soothing properties, so it’s enough to cook mashed potatoes and apply to problem areas. Then rinse after 20 minutes with clean, cold water.

Also, to get rid of acne, you can mix in the proportions 1: 1 pulp of cucumber and sour cottage cheese, hold for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

The regular use of such masks stimulates the skin to renew, gives a healthy and well-groomed appearance.

Hair masks

For dry hair
To prepare the mask, grind 1 medium cucumber with a blender, then squeeze the juice from it, add one tablespoon of olive oil and one egg. The resulting mixture must be thoroughly mixed and applied over the entire length of the hair, hold for 20 minutes, and then rinse with shampoo. This mask not only saturates the hair, but also perfectly protects them from water (for example, when swimming in the pool or at sea).

To strengthen and normalize the sebaceous glands of the scalp
Such a mask can be done at least every day. It is believed that it stimulates hair growth and gives them volume. To prepare it, you need to prepare and mix in equal proportions the juice of cucumber and cabbage, and then rub the composition into the scalp. It can be washed off after 20 minutes with warm water.

Harm and contraindications

Pickled and pickled cucumbers have many contraindications: starting from the harmful composition of store products, ending with some diseases that require limiting or completely removing them from the menu:

1. liver disease
2. violation of the water-salt balance in the body;
3. atherosclerosis;
4. thyroid dysfunction;
5. cardiovascular diseases;
6. obesity and metabolic disorders;
7. personal intolerance to the body and allergies;
8. pathology of the stomach.

Harm from fresh cucumbers is also possible, but only in case of violation of the rules of cultivation, the use of a large number of pesticides and growth stimulants. Improperly grown fruits can cause poisoning and cause damage to the digestive system, liver and kidneys. Therefore, you should choose vegetables, carefully inspecting them, avoiding the "glossy" and plastic appearance. It is better to buy them only in season, giving preference to local producers and varieties.

Note! Eating fresh cucumbers should be limited to people who are contraindicated in heavy drinking (for example, with kidney disease). In this case, it is best to limit their intake to 100-150 g per day.

How to choose and store cucumbers

Cucumbers are seasonal vegetables, and in the summer it is much easier to find a quality product. It is best to choose local varieties - such products are usually as natural and fresh as possible.

You also need to consider what you needed the product for: there are salad, snack, pickle, and universal cucumbers.

When choosing vegetables, you should carefully examine their appearance: the presence of yellowness can mean the use of nitrates when growing or spoiling the fruit.

Cucumbers with pimples have a better taste, and smoothbore ones are stored longer. Fruits with white spikes are good for pickling. If you come across cucumbers with bitterness, you can neutralize the taste of bitterness by salting or pickling them.

Important! Nitrates tend to accumulate in the skin, so the tips of the cucumber should be trimmed.

Cucumbers that are rich in liquid content are easily susceptible to decay, so it is best to store them in a refrigerator in a separate container for no longer than 7 days. At room temperature they are stored for 4–5 days.

To extend the shelf life, it is necessary to put the cucumbers tail in the water and do not forget to periodically change it.

How to eat cucumbers

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

It is best not to eat cucumbers for breakfast, since during this period of time the stomach has not yet woken up completely. This can trigger a breakdown. Late dinner consisting of cucumbers can lead to undesirable fermentation processes and gas formation.

How much can you eat per day

A healthy adult is allowed to eat 200-300 g of fresh cucumbers per day.

Children under one year of age should not be given. After a year to three years, you can try to carefully give their child small portions of 20-50 grams, gradually increasing the amount if they do not cause any side effects.

Pickled cucumbers are recommended for a healthy adult to consume not more than 150 g per day.

Is it possible to eat pickles and pickles in fasting

Cucumbers are considered a lean product. During the fasting period they can be consumed in any form. But a person’s menu at this time is limited, because of which the body does not receive many useful substances that he is used to. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful and not abuse the pickles. A weakened body can not cope with a large number of purchased pickled cucumbers, and this can have serious consequences for the health of the stomach and intestines.

What can be cooked from cucumbers: recipes

Rolls

Ingredients: 3 cucumbers, 200 grams of soft cheese or cottage cheese, 50 grams of olives, 5 branches of dill or parsley, 2 stalks of green onions, 50 grams of capers, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (can be replaced with yogurt or sour cream), salt to taste.

Peel the cucumbers and cut into thin strips using a vegetable cutter. Grind soft cheese or cottage cheese with a fork and add chopped greens to it. Finely chop the capers and olives and squeeze them from the brine or let them lie on a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then add them to the filling, seasoning with mayonnaise (or sour cream), salt to your taste.

Form long ribbons from chopped cucumbers (laying on top of each other), put a small filling ball at the beginning and roll the rolls. The finished product can be pierced with toothpicks or special skewers and served freshly prepared to the table.

Fresh Cucumber Appetizer

Ingredients: 5 pieces of cucumbers, 3 cloves of garlic, a bunch of herbs, French mustard (1 teaspoon), 50 ml of sunflower, unrefined oil, 30 ml of 9% vinegar, 0.5 teaspoon of sugar, salt to taste.

Cut cucumbers into large cubes, add salt and sugar, chopped garlic and other ingredients. Mix well, let it brew for 30 minutes at room temperature and serve.

How to salt cucumbers

Properly salt cucumbers is very simple. It will take 1 kg of cucumbers, 1 liter of water, salt (not iodized), a bunch of any greenery.

Cucumbers and greens should be thoroughly washed, cut the ends off the fruits, put them in a jar mixed with greens. Pour them with salt water and leave for a day at room temperature.

Such cucumbers can be eaten the next day, they are much more useful than purchased products.

How to make salted

You will need: 1-2 kg of young cucumbers, 20 grams of salt, 15 grams of sugar, 4 cloves of garlic, a bunch of herbs, peppercorns.

Cucumbers need to be cut into small cubes, chop dill and garlic with a knife. Mix all the ingredients, transfer to a bag and let stand for an hour in the refrigerator.

Is it possible to give cucumbers to animals

Cucumbers are a valuable source of vitamins not only for people, but also for pets. They can be given not only to small and large cattle, but also to cats and dogs.

The only thing to keep in mind is that it is strictly forbidden to give pickles and pickles to pets, as this is fraught with the appearance of a number of diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract and parasites.

Do not feed your pet vegetables that have been grown using nitrates and growth stimulants.

Interesting facts about cucumbers

1. Cucumbers are “relatives” of pumpkins and melons.
2. According to botanical characteristics, they are considered a berry.
3. A kilogram contains less than 100 calories.
4. There are varieties of square and red cucumbers.
5. The more often the crop is harvested, the more plants give fruit.
6. Cucumbers have been used by humans for more than 6,000 years.

Photo of cucumbers