Some people wrongly believe that the cucumber is not really healthy. Scientists used to think that cucumbers did not belong to the category of healthy vegetables. Since then, a lot of research has been done into, among other things, phytonutrients in cucumber. This shows that this elongated vegetable is indeed healthy. Cucumber is a tasty fresh vegetable that is mainly eaten raw. The cucumber is a member of the melon family. He is an excellent thirst quencher. Cucumber often forms the basis of vegetable smoothies. It is also a regular ingredient in many salads. In the lukewarm gado-gado salad, cucumber is combined with satay sauce, which is a perfect flavor combination. NB! This article is written from the personal view of the author and may contain information that is not scientifically substantiated and/or in line with the general view.

Contents:

• How the cucumber conquered the world
• Acid bomb
• Cucumber nutritional value
• Phytonutrients in cucumber
• Cucumber works against cancer
• Cucumber eating tips

How the cucumber conquered the world

The cucumber is originally from India. He is mentioned in a story of Gilgamesh from about 3000 years BC. This means that the cucumber has been eaten for at least 5,000 years. From India the cucumber traveled to Sumeria and on to Turkey and ancient Greece. From there it ended up in Rome. The Romans loved the cucumber. Furthermore, it has become a widely eaten vegetable in Europe and was eaten worldwide after the European invasion of both Americas.

Acid bomb

Cucumbers that are picked early and kept in vinegar are called pickles. Unfortunately, the nutritional value is reduced by pickling vegetables with vinegar. The cucumber is also known worldwide as a sour bomb. This phenomenon originated in India where it is called Acar. In Indonesia, pickled vegetables are also called atjar. Europe has the custom of preserving vegetables in salt or brine. The Dutch word brine is the origin of the English word pickles which stands for sour vegetables. Because it was necessary to salt vegetables here because of the winter cold to have something to eat in the winter, the Dutch had the habit of preserving vegetables in salt. Nowadays there are sweet and sour and salt and sour pickles.

Cucumber nutritional value

Cucumber does not contain too many vitamins and minerals, but that does not say everything. More and more research is being done on phytonutrients, which can be antioxidants as well as vitamins. Many phytonutrients such as polyphenols have a specific effect. More and more phenols are being discovered in fresh fruit and vegetables. The cucumber contains vitamin K; 100 grams is enough for 20% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). It also contains vitamin C (5% DV/100 grams) and vitamin B5 (3% DV). It contains the minerals molybdenum (7% DV), potassium (4.3% DV), manganese (4% DV), magnesium (3.3% DV) and it contains the amino acid tryptophan (3% DV).

Phytonutrients in cucumber

Cucumber contains a range of phytonutrients, including flavonoids. The flavonoids include apigenin, luteolin, quercetin and kaempferol. In terms of lignans, it contains pinoresinol, lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol. These lignans reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Broccoli and cabbage contain the same lignans. It also contains the triterpenes cucurbitacin A, cucurbitacin B, cucurbitacin C and cucurbitacin D.

Cucumber works against cancer

The flavonoids provide an anti-inflammatory effect. Combined with vitamin C, this effect is further enhanced. The cucurbitacins have an anti-cancer effect, just like the lignans in cucumber. The lignans play an interesting one-two punch with our stomach bacteria. These convert the lignans from the cucumber into enterolignans such as enterodiol and enterolactone. These enterolignans bind to estrogen receptors. These lignans are bioidentical hormones. Eating foods with lignans is very healthy. This reduces the risk of cancers related to estrogens, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and cervical cancer.

Cucumber eating tips

Cucumber is an ideal snack vegetable. You can always put a bowl of cucumber on the table during the main meal. Cucumber is a fresh change to food, making the entire hot meal taste better. Cucumber is delicious on bread in combination with Dutch cheese or peanut butter. Try spreading a sandwich with peanut butter, sambal and cucumber. Furthermore, cucumber is ideal to combine with a homemade satay sauce. You can also grate cucumber. Together with grated carrot and grated beets you can make a delicious three-colored grated raw vegetable salad to which you no longer need to add any dressing.