Green cucumberis a rather inconspicuous vegetable. At first glance, one might assume that it is not very valuable. Most of it consists of water, so the content of nutrients is low. So is green cucumber healthy? What are the properties of green cucumbers?

GREEN CUCUMBER - CHARACTERISTICS

Green cucumber is one of the vegetables we most often choose, especially in the summer, when ground-grown vegetables are available. Of course, you can buy them all year round, but in the off-season they are mainly greenhouse cucumbers.

The question often arises - cucumber is a fruit or a vegetable? The answer is not simple. According to the botanical classification, the cucumber is a fruit that develops from flowers. However, in the culinary classification, it is considered a vegetable due to its low sweet taste and its usually used to prepare savory dishes.

GREEN CUCUMBER - CALORIES, NUTRITIONAL VALUES

Green cucumber is a product that stands out with its impressive water content. It constitutes as much as 95% of cucumber, which affects the low calorific value of the product. 100 g of green cucumber provides only 15 kcal, which makes it one of the least caloric vegetables. Eating cucumbers is a great solution for people on a slimming diet. You can easily get full of them while consuming very few calories. For this reason, they are the perfect addition to a meal.

Cucumbers are a source of potassium, phosphorus and calcium. They also provide our body with vitamin K, C and β-carotene.

GREEN CUCUMBER - PROPERTIES

A large amount of water makes cucumbers perfectly hydrate the body. The high water content and low carbohydrate content make cucumbers a good product for people with insulin resistance and diabetes. Green cucumber has a glycemic index of 15. This means that eating it causes a slow and slight increase in blood glucose. Therefore, people with glycemic disorders can reach for cucumbers without fear.

In addition, green cucumbers contain cucurbitacin, a toxic compound intended to deter herbivorous organisms with its bitter taste. This compound in the amounts found in cucumbers does not pose a threat to humans. On the contrary, this substance may have anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties.

GREEN CUCUMBER - RECIPES

In addition to the simplest way to use cucumber, in the form of an addition to sandwiches, this product can be used in many other ways.

An easy and delicious idea to use green cucumbers is to prepare them in the company of a tomato. Some people are afraid of combining these products because of the ascorbinase enzyme present in cucumbers, which breaks down the vitamin C present in tomatoes, but it is enough to acidify it a bit with lemon juice or good vinegar to stop this process. In addition, it is worth remembering that vitamin C is present in many vegetables and fruits, so eating a green cucumber with a tomato will not immediately cause a deficiency of this vitamin.

The recipe for a light tomato and green cucumber salad is very simple. Washed cucumbers should be peeled and cut into slices, put into a bowl and lightly salted. Washed tomatoes should be cut into cubes, add to cucumbers squeezed out of excess water. Mix everything with natural yoghurt or sour cream.

PREPARATIONS FROM GREEN CUCUMBERS

Pickled cucumbers are among the most popular preserves. As a result of fermentation, green cucumbers gain a unique taste and increase their nutritional value. Pickled cucumbers contain even more vitamin C than fresh ones and are enriched with lactic acid, which is beneficial for our digestive and immune systems.

In addition to pickled and pickled cucumbers, it is also worth preparing a green tomato and cucumber salad for the winter. It is perfect for dinner, and thanks to pasteurization, it can be stored for months.

GREEN CUCUMBER AND SLIMMING TREATMENT

Green cucumbers, like other green vegetables, are a product that should not be missing from the menu during weight loss. You can learn how to properly compose your menu during weight reduction during a stay at one of the Centers of the Sofra Health Institute. During your stay, you will benefit not only from a balanced, low-calorie diet and nutritional consultations, but also from many forms of physical activity that support weight loss.