Many consider cucumbers to be a harmless product, mostly consisting of water. That is why they - the first thing that comes to mind forever losing weight when it comes to fasting days or diets. We also heard a lot about moisturizing cucumber masks for the face and the treatment of freshly grated vegetables. Further in the article you will receive more detailed information about cucumbers, you will find out, their benefits and harm to the body during weight loss, therapy and beauty treatments at home are commensurate, as well as whether there are medical contraindications.
Calorie and chemical composition
People have different opinions about cucumbers: some say that the vegetable helps to cleanse the body, while others are convinced that it is absolutely useless. But no one refuses to crackle with fresh fruits. 
To understand what this product brings to the human body, it is important to understand its components.
Did you know? Cucumbers are the only vegetables that have unsurpassed taste and aroma in an unripe form. Probably, this nuance explains the ancient Greek origin of the word "Aguros", which translated means "unripe".
Under laboratory conditions, it is found that cucumbers are 95 percent composed of structured water. At home, this can only be obtained by distillation and subsequent freezing. Its value lies in the ability to excrete various toxic substances and heavy metals from the body. In addition, the necessary vitamins and minerals are found in crispy fresh cucumbers. 
The percentage of these components is as follows:
Vitamins:
- retinol (1.1%);
- thiamine (2%);
- Riboflavin (2.2%);
- choline (1.2%);
- pantothenic acid (5.4%);
- pyridoxine (2%);
- folic acid (1%);
- cyanocobalamin (0.5%);
- ascorbic acid (11.1%);
- tocopherol (0.7%);
- biotin (1.8%);
- phylloquinone (13.7%);
- nicotinamide (1.5%).
Micro and macro elements:- potassium (5.6%);
- calcium (2.3%);
- magnesium (3.5%);
- sodium (0.6%);
- chlorine (1.1%);
- iron (3.3%);
- iodine (2%);
- cobalt (10%);
- manganese (9%);
- copper (10%);
- molybdenum (1.4%);
- selenium (0.5%);
- zinc (1.8%);
- fluorine (0.4%);
- chromium (12%).
Did you know? India is considered the birthplace of cucumbers, while monuments to this product have been put up only in two cities of the world: Belarusian Shklov and Ukrainian Nizhin.
In addition to these nutrients, the composition of cucumbers are insoluble coarse fibers, which is useful for the normalization of bowel function. Also found folates that do not allow hemocysteines to have a devastating effect on blood vessels, and phytosterols that block cholesterol. 
According to scientists, the nutritional value of cucumbers is undervalued by consumers, since all nutrients are well balanced and easy for the human body to absorb. It is celebrated low calorie product - for every 100 grams of fresh cucumbers, experts counted 14 kilocalories, as well as 0.1 g of fat, 0.8 g of proteins and 2.55 g of carbohydrates.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties of tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, melons, squash, chili pepper, lettuce (iceberg), parsnip, celery, asparagus beans, beans, radish, garlic, horseradish.
Beneficial features
Undoubtedly, the benefits of cucumbers great. But provided that they consume wisely and do not refuse other food. Doctors believe that in one product they cannot contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for a person. Therefore, they advise to eat different vegetables and fruits, and cucumbers, especially in season, enter into your daily diet. We will understand in more detail what is their benefit.
Did you know? Today, the People’s Republic of China is considered the largest producer of cucumbers on the world market.
For women
Fresh cucumbers many ladies perceive as reliable way to quickly lose weight and moisturize the skin. And for good reason. After all, the folic acid present in the pulp controls the level of sugar in the blood, and the fiber satisfies the feeling of hunger and reduces the appetite, thereby facilitating the excretion of excess body fat. 
Vegetable also helps to remove puffiness, improve blood-forming processes and cleanse the body. In addition, it is an excellent prevention of the occurrence of urolithiasis and gallstones.
Experts say that daily consumption of cucumbers has a beneficial effect on the skin, helps rejuvenate and strengthen the nervous system, especially during menopausal disorders.
Herbalists recommend cucumbers to pregnant women and those suffering from cardiovascular diseases (than cucumbers are useful for pregnant women, we will describe in more detail below). It is believed that the product contributes to the strengthening of the heart muscle and arteries, preventing the formation in them of ill-starred plaques.
Important! Do not abuse cucumbers. If one-time drink 10 ml of cucumber juice, or bring the daily rate beyond one liter, the water balance is disturbed, which is fraught with serious consequences.
For men
Representatives of the stronger sex appreciate this product primarily for tonic and restorative effect, as well as for the stimulation of the immune functions of the body. In addition, the vegetable has antirheumatic properties, and in combination with carrots helps get rid of gout. 
Another advantage of fresh cucumbers is the enrichment of hair follicles with nutrients, which prevents baldness.
We advise you to read about the properties and culinary use of herbs: dill, parsley, mint, lemon balm, arugula, basil, marjoram, rosemary, watercress, oregano, coriander, cardamom.
Application in nutrition
Experts advise regular use of cucumbers to people who are prone to obesity or are already suffering from overweight. Also, the benefits of vegetables are obvious for children, pensioners and patients with impaired metabolic processes. This recommendation is justified by the presence of beneficial trace elements and vitamins, which the body receives with the product, and its low calorie content.
But purposeful intentions to lose weight, eating only cucumbers, often end in failure. Nutritionists state that an illiterate restriction in food leads to a displacement of internal organs and disabling all parts of the digestive tract. If you do not stop in time, such actions will lead to irreversible disruptions in the body.
Important! Benefit will bring only cucumbers grown in the open field without the use of toxic chemicals. It is better to refuse greenhouse and store products. Moreover, unscrupulous sellers often soak dried vegetables in special chemical solutions, at best - in cold water with ice.
The forums can find a lot of positive feedback on the effectiveness of cucumber diets. 
Strong-willed women who can forbid themselves to even think about other foods lose more than 5 kilograms of weight in a few days. But this is a completely different opinion formed by nutritionists.
According to them, such stress for the body does not pass without a trace. Sooner or later it will affect the work of the weakest organ. In addition, loose skin will not make you beautiful and toned. And the lost kilograms will immediately return, perhaps even with interest, as soon as you start to eat normally.
You need to lose weight gradually. It is recommended to eat 5 times a day in small portions. If we are talking about cucumbers, then in a day they can be eaten no more than a half kilogram. This portion should be divided into 5 equal parts. And at lunchtime, be sure to eat 50 grams of boiled lean meat or one egg. Also, do not interfere with a glass of savory tea.
Such meals should be planned as fasting days, 2-3 times a week. And it is desirable to work on the tone of muscle mass. Do daily elementary exercises for at least 15 minutes a day - and harmony is guaranteed. 
Important! People with aspirin on the list of the worst allergens are at risk of an allergic reaction when eating cucumbers.
Cucumber during pregnancy
Expectant mothers are extremely important that the water-salt balance throughout the entire period of childbearing is normal. To this end, many women are switching to cucumbers. But, according to doctors, cucumbers during pregnancy can bring both benefit and harm.
The “pluses” of fresh vegetables in these months are reduced to feeding the body with essential vitamins and nutrients with simultaneous leaching of salts, “bad” cholesterol and excess fluid. In addition, pregnant women often suffer from dysfunction of the digestive tract. And the greens act as a laxative laxative and adjust intestinal motility. It is also an effective preventive measure against the development of hemorrhoids and various infectious diseases. 
And the "minuses" of cucumbers are associated with a possible risk to the kidneys. Therefore, it is important to conduct a full examination and consult a gynecologist. Another negative influence is characterized by pickleswho are so fond of pregnant. First, they cause an appetite and provoke weight gain. Secondly, the renal load is increased, resulting in swelling.
Important! During lactation, cucumbers are allowed only in small quantities and only after the child reaches three months of age. The fact is that vegetables contribute to the formation of gases, severe abdominal pain and anxiety of the baby.
Use in traditional medicine
Cucumber is widely used in the recipe of traditional healers. It is added as a laxative, diuretic, immunostimulating, tonic and tonic. And in the course are not only fruits, but also flowers, foliage, shoots, seeds. Juice, gruel, decoctions and even powder are made from cucumber raw materials. Consider some examples of such herbal medicine. 
When appears hemorrhoidal bleeding, for its stopping and anesthesia, it is recommended to cut a small oval from a vegetable and enter it into the anus for the night. The inflamed pulp can be applied to inflamed external formations for several hours.
With ulcers of the digestive organsas well as gastritis It is shown to begin and end the day by taking half a glass of freshly squeezed cucumber juice. Other recipes suggest one-time take a mixture of 150 g of crushed gruel and a tablespoon of any honey.
Did you know? In Iran, cucumbers are considered fruits and are used exclusively for the preparation of marmalade sweets.
The problem constipation, colitis and atony a 150 gram dose of brine or honey-cucumber mass according to the above technology will decide on an empty stomach. In reasonable quantities, cucumber juice will cure and bring additional benefits to the body, and in cases of overdose it will be harmful.
For treatment bronchitis and coughing folk healers advise drinking 100 g of cucumber juice in combination with one tablespoon of liquid honey.
Learn more about the beneficial properties and application of different types of cabbage: white, red, Savoy, Peking, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, pak choi, romanesco, and sauerkraut.
Application in home cosmetology
Than the cucumber is useful for the person, know, probably, even children. Firstly, it is a reliable source of moisture and, accordingly, skin elasticity. And, secondly, an effective regenerating drug. 
On sale you can find a variety of cosmetic products for the care of all parts of the body, which include cucumber extracts. But you don't have to go to the store for them. At home, you can make cosmetics not a bit worse.
Important! Bitter cucumbers are also useful. Doctors do not advise cutting the skin on such fruits, but rather talking about their ability to inhibit the development of pathological changes in the tissue fibers of the body due to the substance cucurbeticin. This is especially true for people who, in the process of work, are in contact with toxic chemicals or live in environmentally polluted areas. For the purpose of prophylaxis, it is enough to chew bitter cucumber at least occasionally.
Many housewives, working in the kitchen with cucumbers, do not neglect the opportunity to rub their faces in between with a circle of vegetables. Ladies who devote more time to themselves in a season often put such slices on the eyes or make masks from the crushed pulp. Such procedures moisturize and whiten the epidermis, as well as clean the pores and contribute to their narrowing.
To prepare cucumber lotion for oily skin, you need to chop the cucumber and pour it into a glass container. Then pour vodka and insist 14 days. The finished product is applied on a napkin and wipe the face clean of dirt and makeup. 
For skin whitening and freckle removal It is recommended to chop fresh fruit. Then pour warm milk in a ratio of 1:10. The cooled mixture is applied to a layer of gauze and applied for 15 minutes to the face. Rinse with warm water and lubricate the skin with cream.
Smooth wrinkles with the help of a cucumber and lemon juice in a ratio of 2: 1.
For the night, a mask of equal parts of cucumber gruel and sour cream will not be superfluous (one teaspoon will suffice). Raw yolk can be added to the mixture. This tool is suitable for all skin types, has a soothing and rejuvenating effect.
Important! Early spring cucumbers may turn out to be a "nitrate bomb." Therefore, experts advise to avoid similar products. Well, if you really want to eat, be sure to cut off the peel and remove at the ends of 1-2 centimeters.
Contraindications and harm
If we talk about fresh cucumbers, their benefits are many times greater than the possible harm, which cannot be said about pickled and salted preparations. Such food is especially dangerous for people with a diseased liver, hypertension, atherosclerosis, nephritis. Also marinades and pickles are contraindicated for pregnant women and those who have impaired thyroid function.
Fresh vegetables are recommended to refuse suffering from intestinal diseases, as well as with open ulcers, increased acidity of the stomach. Care should be taken when nursing moms and patients with enterocolitis, urolithiasis are considered to be a care product.
In general, experts agreed on the idea that cucumbers are useful if there are no contraindications for their consumption. In the summer, they must be on the table for every healthy person. But in the spring it is better to suffer and wait for fresh vegetables from your garden.
