Do you think you’re cool as a cucumber? Not merely is the cucumber known for it’s capability to cool down our bodies, it has additionally been known to help with jaundice, diarrhoea, epilepsy, sore throat, conjunctivitis (redness of the eye) and swelling of extremities.

Frequently you should try to de-seed them yourself easily by cutting them in two and utilizing a spoon to eliminate the seeds or if you wish to eliminate this step you can buy cucumbers that are already seeded.

Fresh cucumbers are easy to add to salads and for an easy salad just toss diced cucumbers with sliced red onions, red tomatoes and your favourite all-natural, low-fat balsamic vinaigrette. This can be a fast way to make a refreshing salad that reaps the benefits of cucumber.

Anti-diabetic Advantages of Cucumber:

Beta cells contained in the pancreas produce the hormone insulin.Cucumber is found to have a hormone needed by the beta cells in the insulin production. Moreover, the Glycemic Index of cucumbers is found to be zero.

Why Cucumbers have not a glycemic index listed? Does this mean that they do not raise blood sugar?

Not at all. It simply means that under the “rules” for the definition of the glycemic index, it is too difficult to get an accurate number. It is because you’ll need to eat a very big amount of the food to get 50 grams of carbohydrate at once in order to be tested. Usually, the lower the quantity of carbohydrate in a vegetable and the more fibre it has, the less the rise in blood sugar will be.

The carbohydrates are primarily responsible of the raise of the glucose level.But the carbohydrates contained in the cucumber are easily digestible in a diabetes patient’s stomach.

Suggestions for Preparing Cucumbers:

Unwaxed cucumbers don’t need to be peeled but should be washed before cutting. Cucumbers are usually sliced, diced or cut into sticks.

One or two Quick Serving Ideas:

– Use half-inch thick cucumber slices as petite serving “dishes” for chopped vegetable salads.

– Mix diced cucumbers with sugar snap peas and mint leaves and toss with rice wine vinaigrette.

– For refreshing cold gazpacho soup that takes five minutes or less to make, simply purée cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers and onions, then add salt and pepper to taste.

– Add diced cucumber to tuna fish or chicken salad recipes.

Cool Cucumber Salad Recipe:

Ingredients:

– 3 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch slices

– 1 carrot, peeled and shredded

– 1/2 red onion, sliced paper-thin

– 1/3 cup minced cilantro

Dressing:

– 1/2 cup rice vinegar

– 2 tsp. honey

– 2 tsp. Reduced-sodium soy sauce

– 1 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil

– Pinch dried red pepper flakes

Preparation per 8 servings:

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Marinating time: 60 minutes

1. Combine the cucumbers, carrots, red onion, and cilantro in a large bowl.

2. Combine the dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over cucumbers, cover, and refrigerate for 60 minutes. Salad might be eaten using a fork.

Nutritional Values per Meal: 1/2 cup

– Calories: 25

– Calories From Fat: 10

– Total Fat: 1 gram

– Saturated fats: .1 grams

– Cholesterol: milligrams

– Sodium: 50 milligrams (without added salt)

– Total Carbohydrate: 5 grams

– Soluble fiber: 1 gram

– Sugars: 3 grams

– Protein: 1 grams

 Sprake and Tyrrell Builders, Bungay