Cucumbers a multivitamin including peel, seeds
- col-bobbie-randall
- July 21, 2023
- 765
It won’t be long before cucumber growers will be eating, cooking or pickling those long, green, bumpy tubes of freshness. It won’t be long before cucumber growers will be sharing their harvest, begging friends and family to reduce an abundant crop. It won’t be long before cucumber growers will be wondering why they planted so many cucumbers.
Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins needed daily. Just one cucumber contains vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Sounds like a multivitamin with a peel and seeds.
When afternoon drowsiness hits, put down the caffeinated soda or coffee and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins and carbohydrates that can provide a quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. The crunch provides an activity for your mouth and wakes up the salivary glands.
For headaches eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and you will wake up refreshed and headache-free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body needs that may be causing the headache.
Anyone with a case of stale or bad breath should take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for about 30 seconds. The phytochemicals kill any stinky bacteria responsible for bad breath.
The cucumber ranks up there with celery for being a negative calorie food. It can take more calories to chew and digest than it provides. One cup of raw cucumber has only 16 calories. Many people believe cucumbers are the vehicle for a fatty dip or dressing, which adds more calories and fat, negating the health benefits of eating raw vegetables. Cucumbers should be enjoyed without dipping.
Cucumbers belong to the same botanical family as melons and squashes. Like the tomato, they are technically a fruit because of the way they are pollinated and grown. Without a high sugar content, theyare considered a vegetable.
Cucumbers have not received as much press as other vegetables in terms of health benefits. Researchers have found more than one popular organic component in cucumbers. These compounds have a connection with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and several cancer types including breast, uterine, ovarian and prostate cancers. Their antioxidant properties have recently ranked them alongside other vegetables that sift free radicals from the blood and have anti-inflammatory benefits. Cucumbers contain promising agents in the prevention of diabetic complications.
Eating just one cucumber a day can be great. It mostly contains water, so eating more than one will not cause any harm. Cucumbers are a very healthy snack.
Cucumbers are cool to the touch. The inside remains at a lower temperature than the outside air. May the rest of your summer pass in good health like the cucumber. May you be untroubled by the heat or any stress or exertion. Remain calm and be as cool as a cucumber.
Bobbie Randall is a certified diabetes care and education specialist and a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.