Friday, June 8, 2012

Cucumber - Nutrient Information and Other Interesting Facts about Cucumbers

Cucumber is particularly a favorite ingredient to add to salads and due to its nutrient properties, it's also one of the most common ingredients in juice recipes. The cucumber is a bland tasting fruit belonging to the cucurbitaceae plant family. There are several other edible plant foods belonging to that family including watermelon, cantaloupe, other melons, squashes, and also gourds. Although cucumber is considered to be a fruit, under the botanical classification the fruit is most often eaten raw as a vegetable. The cucumber plant is one of the most widely cultivated foods, and it grows on a vine. When ripe, cucumber is typically yellow on the outside. The unripe form of cucumbers is the one most often consumed. The following information is in regards to unripe cucumbers. The shape of the fruit is cylindrical and contains a clear and white flesh on the inside. The flavor of cucumber is bland, which makes it a great addition to salads and health drinks. Cucumbers are a good source of several nutrients. They're particularly a good source of vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and water.

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that the body needs for several functions. Vitamin K is essential for normal blood clotting, so it prevents a person from bleeding to death after an injury. Unlike most essential nutrients, the body makes 80 percent of the required vitamin K. The nutrient is created by the bacteria that live in the intestines. The other required vitamin K can be obtained through the consumption of a variety of plant foods, particularly green vegetables such as cucumbers, broccoli, cabbage and other green leafy vegetables.

Potassium is an essential mineral that the body requires for several functions. The essential mineral is needed especially for its beneficial effects on blood pressure. Potassium is a key factor in keeping blood pressure at the right level for maximum cardiovascular health. The nutrient works in several ways to regulate blood pressure. It pumps sodium out of the body's cells and reduces fluid. Potassium also modifies the way that blood vessels react to the circulating hormones that affect blood pressure. The nutrient's ability to lower blood pressure is so significant that scientists believe that low levels of the mineral may actually trigger high blood pressure. The healthiest way to obtain potassium is through the consumption of a variety of plant foods such as cucumbers.

Magnesium is another essential mineral that the body needs for several functions. Scientists believe that magnesium may help to prevent heart attacks and may also successfully ease premenstrual syndrome, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, asthma, and kidney stones. It serves several other direct roles. The mineral nutrient helps to turn food into energy and helps to transmit electrical impulses across nerves and muscles. Magnesium is also essential because it ensures that calcium is used properly. Although both magnesium and calcium are essential, too much calcium can cause the loss of magnesium, which is excreted through the urine. The healthiest way to obtain adequate amounts of magnesium is to consume a variety of plant foods that contain the nutrient. Cucumbers are one of those foods.

Cucumbers are also a great source of water, which is another essential nutrient. The human body is made up of 70 percent water, which is essential for most of the body's processes and functions. It's important for digestion, absorption, circulation, and excretion. Water transports nutrients throughout the body and it removes toxins from the body. Water is also essential because it maintains a normal body temperature. Even though adequate amounts of water are needed, it's important to not over do it. Drinking too much water, causes water intoxication, which causes death. Besides drinking clear water, another great way to obtain adequate amounts of water is to consume a variety of raw plants foods that have a high water content, such as cucumbers.

To obtain all the incredible nutrients that cucumbers have to offer, add some slices of the fruit (can be used as a vegetable) to your regular diet.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/cucumber-nutrient-information-and-other-interesting-facts-about-cucumbers-5950333.html

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