When it comes to the benefits of eating cucumbers, many people may know a thing or two, but what many people don't expect is that the entire cucumber is a treasure. Not only is the cucumber flesh valuable, but even the cucumber end, the peel, and the seeds are treasures. Want to know the effects and uses of cucumbers and a complete guide to cucumber recipes? Then let's take a look together.
The benefits of the cucumber end
The cucumber end is the tail of the cucumber. Because this part is bitter, many people throw it away when eating cucumbers. However, what they don't know is that the often-disliked cucumber end has unique disease-preventing effects, and eating it can keep you away from serious illnesses for a lifetime.
1. Anti-inflammatory and appetizer
The cucumber end contains more cucurbitacin, which has a unique effect on digestive tract inflammation. It can stimulate the secretion of digestive fluids, produce a large amount of digestive enzymes, and whet the appetite.
2. Preventing and treating the flu
The cucurbitacin in the cucumber end not only strengthens the stomach, increases gastrointestinal motility, aids digestion, and clears the liver and promotes bile secretion, but it can also prevent and treat the flu.
3. Anti-tumor
According to animal experiments, the cucurbitacin in the cucumber end has a significant anti-tumor effect.
The benefits of cucumber seeds
1. Calcium supplement
Cucumber seeds are rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium salts, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other components. According to "Daily Materia Medica" and "Chinese Medical Treasure", cucumber seeds are cold in nature, sweet in taste, non-toxic, and affiliated with the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians. They have the effects of supplementing calcium, setting bones, and strengthening bones.
2. Setting and strengthening bones
Experts say that cucumber seeds are a type of seed that can be used as both medicine and food. It is a folk remedy for setting and strengthening bones, treating osteoporosis, supplementing calcium, and restoring bone membrane function, with a history of over a thousand years.
The benefits of cucumber peel
1. Detoxification
Cucumber peel contains more cucurbitacin, which is the essence of cucumber's nutrition. Eating cucumbers with the peel not only allows for full absorption of vitamin C but also helps the body detoxify effectively.
2. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
Cucumber peel also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The "Three Fresh Mixed Peels," which is a salad of blanched watermelon peel, cucumber peel, and winter melon peel, is most suitable for people who want to lose weight.
The benefits of cucumber flesh
1. Detoxification
Nutritious cucumbers are beneficial for "cleaning" internal waste, and regular consumption also helps prevent kidney stones.
2. Preventing constipation
Cucumbers are high in water content and low in calories, which is beneficial for weight loss. The dietary fiber in them can prevent constipation. Preventing diabetes A hormone in cucumbers is beneficial for the pancreas to secrete insulin, which helps improve diabetes.
3. Lowering lipids and stabilizing blood pressure
The sterol components in cucumbers help lower cholesterol. The dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium abundant in cucumbers help regulate blood pressure levels and prevent hypertension.
4. Relieving arthritis and gout pain
The silicon in cucumbers helps enhance the health of joint connective tissue. Eating cucumber with carrot juice can reduce uric acid and relieve arthritis and gout pain.
5. Protecting the kidneys
Cucumbers can reduce the body's uric acid levels and have a protective effect on the kidneys.
Cucumber paired with one other ingredient for better health benefits
1. Cucumber + Black fungus
Detoxification, weight loss
Cucumbers have the effect of losing weight. Black fungus has the effect of detoxifying and clearing the intestines. Eating them together can achieve the effects of weight loss, nourishing and strengthening the body, promoting blood circulation, and balancing nutrition.
Old Vinegar Cucumber with Black Fungus
2. Cucumber + Tofu
Detoxification, anti-inflammatory, moistening dryness, and balancing the stomach
Tofu is cold in nature and has the effect of regulating the body and moistening dryness and reducing fire. Paired with the sweet and cold cucumber, it has the effects of clearing heat and promoting urination, relieving the exterior, detoxifying, reducing inflammation, nourishing the lungs and promoting fluid production, moistening dryness and balancing the stomach, and clearing heat and dispersing blood stasis.
How to choose cucumbers
1. Small and dense thorns on the skin
Fresh cucumbers have thorns on their skin. If there are no thorns, it means the cucumber is old. The best kind of thorns are those that break off with a light touch. Cucumbers with small and dense thorns are tastier, while those with large and sparse thorns lack the cucumber flavor.
2. Slender and even shape
Those cucumbers with a big belly have more seeds. Cucumbers that look slender, even, and have a short end have a better texture.
3. Prominent vertical lines on the skin
Tasty cucumbers generally have more prominent vertical lines on their skin, which can be felt by touch and seen by the eye. Those cucumbers with a smooth surface and no vertical lines are not tasty.
4. Don't choose ones that are too big
Too big cucumbers are not as tasty. Relatively speaking, smaller cucumbers are tastier.
Tofu