Cucumber: composition and useful properties

Cucumber is a representative of the pumpkin family. The stem of such a plant varies in size from 1 to 2 meters. Cucumber has special antennae, with which it is attached to the ground or other support. Flowers are small, yellow. In food, mostly not used ripe, green fruit, but there are lovers and ripe cucumber. It, as a rule, has a large size and a characteristic yellow color. Cucumbers began to eat more than 6000 years ago. The birthplace of this culture is India. There cucumbers grow on trees, in the forest, like creepers.

In our century, began to display a variety of hybrid varieties of cucumber. There were species that grow like shrubs. Some of the new varieties do not have seeds.

Varieties of cucumbers

The varieties of cucumbers are divided into:

• Salted - have a dark green color and black spikes. The skin of these species is more dense.
• Salad - such cucumbers are smooth to the touch, the skin is softer. Cucumber has a sweetish taste without bitterness.
• Winter - these varieties mature for a long time. Color can be any. The length of such cucumbers varies from 15 to 35 centimeters. In winter, as a rule, large, smooth varieties with white spines are more popular.
• Summer - these varieties have a smaller size than the winter ones. Usually they grow 6-20 centimeters long. Such cucumbers ripen faster and have better taste qualities.
• Beetles are a very popular species of cucumber. It is distinguished by high fertility - on one branch about 8 ovaries are formed. Such varieties, as a rule, have fruit-gherkins. Very good for pickling.
• Shadow-tolerant - it's often better to plant summer cucumbers on a sunny patch, the exception is a given species that feels great in the shade.
• Early maturing - this species is suitable for those who want to harvest as quickly as possible. On average, this cucumber ripens from 45 to 50 days.
• With a long period of maturation - the period of maturation of this cucumber is more than 50 days. They have excellent taste qualities.
• Cold-resistant - very unpretentious kind of cucumber. Carries various temperature fluctuations. Resistant to drought.
• Bee-polluted - in order to collect the best harvest, together with the usual seeds sow hollows, then pollination by insects will be more qualitative and, accordingly, there will be a rich crop.
• Parthenocarpic - this type of cucumber is most suitable for growing in greenhouses, although it can be grown on 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 useful for the human body. In the cucumber there are carotene and vitamins:

• B ₁ ;
• B ₂ ;
• B ₉ (folic acid)
• FROM.

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

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

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

Nutritional value of fresh cucumber per 100 grams:

• Proteins - 0.8 g;
• Fats - 0.1 g;
• Carbohydrates - 2.5 g;
• The energy value is 14 kcal.

Beneficial features

This fruit can be safely attributed to dietary. Very many people love cucumbers. The composition and nutritional value of this product are ideal for those who want to lose weight. With the help of cucumber this can be done easily. It can be found in a variety of diets. The composition of the cucumber is almost one water - 95-98%. The remaining 2-5 percent occupy useful substances. Cucumber positively affects the human body:

• Reduces the risk of stones in the kidneys and liver.
• Favorably affects the heart and blood vessels.
• Improves the thyroid gland.
• Has a laxative effect.
• Reduces edema due to the fact that it can remove excess fluid from the body.
• Slightly lowers blood pressure.
• Cucumber seeds, able to cleanse the body of cholesterol.
• Has a rejuvenating effect.
• Improves skin color and maintains it in tone.
• Favorably affects the health of teeth and gums.
• Has an easy analgesic effect.
• In folk medicine is used as a remedy for chronic cough.

Contraindications

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

• With renal insufficiency.
• With acute hepatitis.
• With exacerbation of gastritis, colitis.
• At diskenzii zhelchevyvodjashchih ways during an exacerbation.

When individual intolerance is also contraindicated cucumber. The chemical composition of this product can cause allergic reactions.

Dishes from cucumbers and conservation

The preparation usually uses a fresh fruit. Heat treatment, not including preservation, is rarely used. Cucumbers make salads, for example vinaigrette or olivier. They just put it on the table in a cut shape. Salted cucumbers are added to some soups, for example, rassolnik. 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. Preserves cucumbers according to different recipes. They are:

• Marinated - cooked with hot brine.
• Salted - for the preparation of this type of cucumber used cold method of pickling.
• Fresh-salted - like pickled, poured hot brine. The fastest way.

Is it possible to make cucumber for children

Many children are very fond of this product. The chemical composition of the cucumber is very useful for a growing organism. It is considered one of the safest for baby food. However, in order for the cucumber to benefit the child, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules:

• Buy cucumbers only in high season. Winter or too early varieties, as a rule, contain chemical additives.
• Before use it should be thoroughly washed and peeled. Usually it 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 he grew up in a cucumber.

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

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