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By virtue of evolving from a flower and containing seeds, cucumbers are technically fruits, but for practical reasons, they are considered to be vegetables belonging to the gourd family. They are believed to have originated in India, and later introduced to the West during the Middle Ages. The calories in cucumbers are low. Calories in cucumbers vary according to the size of the cucumber and whether the cucumber is peeled or unpeeled. The calories in a cucumber (raw, 100 grams) are 12. So how many calories are there in cucumbers?
A cup of raw unpeeled cucumber slices would contain 16 calories, or 14 calories, if peeled. A cup of about 133 grams of unpeeled raw cucumber has zero saturated fat, cholesterol, and fat. The calories in a cucumber of this amount are 16 with 13 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. It is rich in fiber content, vitamins like A and thiamine, and minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and iron.
These low calorie cucumbers are tasty in their natural form and do not need much artificial flavouring, embellishments or cooking.
It can be eaten in a sandwich or burger. A salad of cucumber and assorted vegetables and tossed with a combination of salad dressings is a healthy meal that can be prepared in no time. Chilled cucumber juice is a good summer drink.
A basic and important cucumber nutrition fact is it is 90% water.
Therefore, cucumber juice not only improves skin quality but also acts as a cooling and hydrating agent. Caffeic acid and ascorbic acid (also known as Vitamin C) alleviate skin ailments like rashes, sunburn, and swelling. The peel of the cucumber is rich in fibre and minerals like magnesium, silica, and potassium. The silica helps builds strong muscles, ligaments, and bones. Taken on a regular basis, the fiber in the cucumber reduces difficult bowels.
Blood pressure can be kept in check naturally because of potassium and magnesium in this vegetable. It also regulates blood circulation and cholesterol levels. Cucumber juice aids in the discharge of urine, thereby cleansing the kidneys and bladder. It is also a panacea for rheumatism. Acidity or heartburn, ulcers, and other stomach disorders can be contained by cucumber juice too. A combination of cucumber, spinach, carrot, and lettuce is considered for healthy hair growth. A mixture of cucumber, bitter gourd, and radish is good for diabetes. Low calories in cucumbers are a boon for weight watchers.
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