What is the uniqueness of cucumbers and who is forbidden to eat them

It is simply impossible to imagine fresh summer salads without cucumber. It is one of the healthiest and most popular vegetables on our table. It has long been used as a remedy for many diseases.

Why is the cucumber unique, what is inside?

This is one of the few vegetables that we eat unripe. Its name "agouros" means "unripe" in Greek.

It is low in calories and contains various minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. It is the high content of potassium, silicon, and zinc that makes cucumbers a preventive measure for skin and hair health.

The nutritional value of cucumber is primarily due to its high content:

Lutein and zeaxanthin – substances that accumulate in the eye tissues and provide effective protection of the eyes and vision. In 100 g of cucumbers, the content of these carotenoids is three times the daily requirement.

Fluosterols, which are similar in structure to cholesterol and therefore replace it in the body. Thus, when eating cucumbers, phytosterols inhibit the absorption of cholesterol from the digestive tract. Cholesterol is better excreted from the body and its level in the blood decreases.

It is advisable to eat cucumbers with the peel on – the bulk of vitamins and other nutrients are found there. But you need to be sure of the quality of the cucumbers because harmful substances can accumulate in the peel. And then eating them can be harmful to your health.

Did you know that cucumbers should not be stored sliced? Here's an interesting fact: this unripe vegetable contains a large amount of the enzyme ascorbate oxidase. It is also called "antivitamin C" because it accelerates the oxidation of vitamin C, i.e. destroys it.

The release of the antivitamin enzyme occurs when cucumbers are chopped. Therefore, prepare vegetable salads immediately before meals to avoid losing vitamin C. Ascorbate oxidase, however, is also found in other vegetables and fruits. There is a lot of it in zucchini, cauliflower, and pumpkin, but less in beets, tomatoes, carrots, and black currants.

Despite all the benefits of the vegetable, there are contraindications. It is not recommended to eat cucumbers in case of exacerbation of colitis, biliary dyskinesia, and gastritis, and in case of kidney failure.

Stay healthy. Watch what you eat!