Good and Good for You: Cucumbers

 

I love cucumbers, I love their crunch and their light taste.  Always makes a great addition to any salad, but other than that, I didn't know much about them...until now.

CUCUMBERS

Did you know that the cucumber is a member of the squash family?  Cucumbers are native to India and Africa and have been cultivated for over 4,000 years.  The Egyptians introduced them to the Greeks and Romans.  By the 9th century, they made their way to France.  By the 14th century they were introduced to England.

From the Middle Ages until sometime in the late 17th-early 18th century they were actually considered a slightly unhealthy vegetable, due mostly to their tendency to be fairly indigestible and to cause flatulence.  In truth, they don't have a high food value, contain only negligible amounts of vitamins and minerals, but on the plus side, they also contain no fat, no sodium,and no cholestol.

So why are they good for you?  Because they contain up to 96% water, they are thirst-quenching AND refreshing.  Ever wonder where the saying "cool as a cucumber" comes from?  It's because the interior of a cucumber runs 20 degrees cooler than the air outside.  It's high water content also makes it a hydrating food that prevents drying of the skin (aka wrinkling!) and can help remove toxins that lead to aging.

Cucumber juice has been used throughout the ages in cosmetics for softening and whitening the skin.  During the English Regency (and even today), a cucumber tonic was used to try to remove freckles which considered an unfortunate blemish of the skin (which is ridiculous because freckles are wholly adorable). One of the few minerals cucumbers contain is silica which is necessary in keeping a healthy complexion.

Similar to aloe, you can use cucumber juice to provide immediate cooling relief for cuts, small burns, and skin conditions.  If you puree the whole vegetable, it can be used as a face mask or rejuvenating poultrice.  That's why people put cucumber slices on their eyes, to help remove puffiness and redness from being tired.

Cucumber mixes really well with other juices and provides a nice refreshing addition to any beverage which makes them the perfect go-to veggie for a hot summer day. In fact, I'll be bringing you some beat-the-heat inspired combinations for you to try.

Until then, stay cool.