Cucumber - Hydrating - Veggie

Cucumber

Overview

Long, lean, and green, the refreshing cucumber is one of the most popular garden vegetables. Technically, it’s a fruit from the same family as watermelons and pumpkins, but most people consider it a veggie. Cucumbers are native to India, have a slight melon-like taste, and sometimes can be slightly bitter.

There are two main types:

Slicing cucumbers are eaten fresh, often in a salad. They can be 12 inches or longer and usually have smooth skin. There are "burpless" varieties that have less of a plant compound called cucurbitacin. That gives them a milder taste, and it may make you burp less after you eat them. You may also hear them called “seedless cucumbers” or “European cucumbers.”

Pickling cucumbers are much smaller and are the type used to make pickles. They can be 3-7 inches long, and they typically have bumps or spines on their skin.

Uses & Effectiveness

• It's High in Nutrients. Cucumbers are low in calories but high in many important vitamins and minerals.
  
  
• It Contains Antioxidants.
   
• It Promotes Hydration. 
  
  
• It May Aid in Weight Loss. 
  
  
• It May Lower Blood Sugar.
  
  
• It Could Promote Regularity. 
  
  
• Easy to Add to Your Diet.

NOTE: There are few risks to eating cucumbers. One concern may be the pesticides growers use on them. Before you eat them, peel the skin off or wash it in warm running water. That will make sure your cucumber is safe to enjoy.