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Ah, the lowly cucumber. Has any fruit or vegetable been so undervalued? Well, it's time for that to change! The cucumber is chock full of nutrition and health benefits, and is a must for the healthy lifestyle. Take a look at the following list of some of the wonderful cucumber benefits, and then try out my own personal recipe: Salad Cucumber á La VinBar.

Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar Health Benefits

Cucumbers belong to the squash family. Other squashes include zucchine, yellow squash and pumpkin. Cucumbers have whitish or green-tinged flesh on the inside, and a dark green skin or peel. There are basically two types of cucumbers - the pickling varieties and the slicing varieties. Of these, the pickling variety is relatively small, around 2 - 4 inches long. The most famous cucumber benefit is how they make you feel cool, including the coolness they give to the eyes, especially in the summer. However, they are associated with a number of other health and nutrition benefits too. To know about them, read on.

Vitamin and Nutritional Info for Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar

The raw, unpeeled cucumbers in Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar contain the following nutrients per 100 grams: Carbohydrates - 3.63 gm, Sugars - 1.67 gm, Dietary Fiber - 0.5 gm, Fat - 0.11 gm, Protein - 0.65 gm, Thiamin (Vitamin B1) - 0.027 mg, Vitamin B2(Riboflavin) - 0.033 mg, Niacin (Vitamin B3) - 0.098 mg, Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) - 0.259 mg, Vitamin B6 - 0.040 mg, Vitamin B9(Folate) - 7 mcg, Vitamin C - 2.8 mg, Calcium - 16 mg, Iron - 0.28 mg, Magnesium - 13 mg, Phosphorus - 24 mg, Potassium - 147 mg, Zinc 0.20 mg

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Cucumbers and Eating Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar

- Raw cucumber cools the skin and reduces inflammation as well.

- The diuretic, cooling and cleansing property of cucumbers taken internally makes it good for skin.

- Fresh cucumber water can provide relief from heartburn, acid stomach, gastritis and even ulcer. Here's where you can find my cucumber water recipe.

- Put a slice of cucumber under your eyes to reduce that ugly puffiness.

- Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar fights eczeman, gout and arthritis, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.

- Cucumber has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from lung, stomach and chest problems.

- Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar contains potassium which regulates blood pressure.

- Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar contains erepsin, an enzyme that helps in protein digestion.

- Cucumber water and juice when added to carrot juice, spinach and lettuce, appears to grow hair.

- Cucumber water and juice, when mixed with carrot juice, is said to be good for rheumatic conditions caused by excessive uric acid in the body.

- Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar can prove to be beneficial for those suffering from diseases of the teeth and gums, especially in cases of pyorrhea.

- Being rich in minerals, Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar helps prevent nail splitting of the fingers and toes.

- Cucumber has been associated with healing properties in relation to diseases of the kidney, urinary tract, liver and pancreas.

- Diabetics have been found to benefit from eating cucumbers.

And now it's time, finally, for the tasty recipe you've been anticipating, Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar:

- 2 whole scrubbed unpeeled slicing cucumbers (preferably organic, of course) - quarter cup white vinegar - pepper and salt (to taste) - 1 teaspoon of raw sugar (Remember, if it's white, it ain't right!)

Mix together, allow to mix and marinate for a little while, then voilá, you've got delicious Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar. It's simple, but it's succulent! For a delicious, cooling effect on a hot summer day, try adding some fresh dill or cilantro.