Cucumbers, Market

Description

The classic cucumber for every circumstance. Typically harvested at a medium length of 8-10 inches with dark green skin weighing 8-12 ounces. Its skin is slightly bumpy and can be left on or taken off for slicing and fresh eating.

Nutritional Benefits

According to Dr. Axe

You may have always assumed that cucumbers were full of water but offered little other nutrients. Well, think again when it comes to cucumber nutrition.

What are the benefits of eating cucumbers? As you’ll learn below, they’re more than just a way to make pickles or reduce puffiness around your eyes — cucumber nutrition benefits include fighting free radical damage and inflammation.

Cukes are one of the lowest calorie veggies, yet supply powerful polyphenol compounds that can help naturally slow aging caused by oxidative stress.

Additionally, known among researchers for their anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering and antioxidant activity, cucumbers have a detoxifying, cleansing effect on the body. They’re naturally “cooling” and a great way to prevent dehydration, constipation and overheating.

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated “gourd” and member of the Cucurbitaceae plant family. Cucumbers have been studied most in regard to their diuretic effects. This has earned them a reputation as a healing food in both traditional folk medicine and modern medicine.

Technically, is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable? It’s actually a fruit, although treated more like a vegetable.  Eating cukes can add a decent amount of nutrients to your diet.

1. Good Source of Cancer-Fighting Antioxidants
   
2. High in Nutrients but Low in Calories
   
3. Helps Detoxify the Body
   
4. Hydrates and Soothes Skin
   
5. Helps Depuff Swollen Eyes
   
6. Helps Improve Metabolic/Heart Health
   
7. Improves Digestion and Relieves Constipation
   
8. Helps Alkalize the Blood
   
9. Supports Strong Bones
   
10. Helps Prevent or Treat Headaches
    

Recipes

• Recipes coming soon...

Proper Storage

Cucumbers are best stored in the refrigerator in your crisper drawer to help keep them from dehydrating.  You may try tightly wrapping your cucumbers individually with plastic wrap.  With cucumbers, you want to keep the moisture in, while not trapping the ethylene gas.  Cucumbers are very sensitive to ethylene gas.  They give off a little themselves, which is part of the challenge with storing them for any length of time.  Also try to keep cucumbers toward the front of the refrigerator. Storing cucumbers below fifty degrees Fahrenheit can cause chilling injuries, such as mushy spots and faster spoilage.

Helpful Info

Helpful info coming soon...