The properties of cucumbers are numerous: these refreshing vegetables are widely used in summer cooking, but also for beauty recipes. We discovered its benefits and how to use them.
Cucumber, botanical name cucucmis sativus, is a vegetable native to India that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family with its characteristic elongated and lumpy shape that makes it very similar to zucchini. Its dark green skin is quite thick and protects the very juicy and slightly acid white pulp, which often has seeds in the center.
While caloric and vitamin intake is negligible, cucumber is rich in fiber, mineral salts and amino acids. These characteristics make it a very healthy food also from the nutritional point of view and precious for its innumerable beneficial properties.
Where it comes from
It seems that the cucumber was cultivated 5000 years ago at the foot of the Himalayas and was introduced into the Mediterranean by the Egyptians. Already in the sixteenth century, the humanist Pietro Andrea Mattioli recommended the use of cucumber juice to embellish the skin, give it elasticity, rehydrate and calm it in case of burns. The Greeks used it against intestinal worms and fever.
Properties of cucumbers.
It consists mainly of water (95%) and then with almost no calories, cucumber is very indicated in low-calorie diets and can be consumed raw to complete maturation. While caloric and vitamin intake is negligible, cucumber is rich in fiber, mineral salts (such as potassium, iron, calcium, iodine and manganese) very useful to counteract acidic foods and amino acids.
This is why it is a very healthy food also from the nutritional point of view and precious for its innumerable beneficial properties.
More importantly, cucumber is considered a food with marked antitumor properties. What makes it so valuable, three substances it contains: lariciresinol, pinoresinol and secoisolariciresinolo.
In addition, plant sterols, mainly contained in the skin, can reduce the levels of cholesterol present in the blood.
It also contains a substance, tartaric acid, which prevents carbohydrates from turning into fat, so it is advisable to introduce the cucumber into the diet, better if it is combined with wholemeal bread to maximize its effectiveness.
Given the remarkable intake of water, cucumber stimulates diuresis and helps the purification of the body by counteracting the unsightly appearance of cellulite.
In cucumber, tartaric acid is also present, a substance that helps eliminate carbohydrates ingested during meals before they become fat. They help the kidneys to eliminate liquids and toxins, improve the activity of the liver and the pancreas.
The uses of cucumber: in the kitchen.
Its main use is in mixed salads, cut into slices, or as garnish for cold dishes and more typically summer preparations.
Despite being very pleasant for the palate and refreshing, cucumber is a vegetable that is not digestible by all, especially by children, who can find it even indigestible.
The smaller cucumbers are generally used for storage in vinegar, in oil and in salt, and, after cutting them; While the big ones are consumed fresh. In the refrigerator, in the vegetable compartment, it should be stored for 10 days, even if it is better to eat them immediately after buying them to take advantage of their properties.
Try preparing these cucumber and fresh radish sandwiches that you need:
*1 bunch of radishes
*2 cucumbers
*1 goat cheese
*1 handful of fresh mint or parsley
*4 slices of whole grain bread
Preparation: Wash the vegetables, wash them and cut them into thin slices with a mandolin. Spread the cheese on slices of toast in the toaster and season with oil, salt and pepper. Place the slices of cucumber and radishes on top and garnish with mint or parsley.
The uses of cucumber: in cosmetics.
Being rich in sulfur, cucumber is indicated to treat the skin: it is used to lighten age spots and decongestants. In fact, it can relieve sunburn and reduce wrinkles.
In addition, the classic remedy of the grandmother to combat swelling and bags under the eyes is always valid: due to its ability to deflate, revives the skin around the eyes and reduces bags and dark circles.
You can make refreshing facial masks with the pulp, while its seeds are used to tone and firm the masks, and the juice for soothing compresses.
To reduce wrinkles and soften and lighten the skin, clean, reduce and clean the enlarged or occluded pores, you can make a mask with 1 chopped cucumber with olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice. It's better than creams and certainly cheaper.