The plain jane cucumber. How we underestimate you! Well, it's time for that to change! The cucumber is actually quite a nutritious, healthy and tasty vegetable-a must for health and fitness. Check out some of these cucumber benefits, and then try out my own personal recipe: Salad Cucumber á La VinBar.

Nutrition Benefits of Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar

The cucumber is a member of the squash family, which includes pumpkins and zucchini. When its dark green skin is peeled, a whitish or light green flesh can be seen. There are basically two types of cucumbers - the pickling varieties and the slicing varieties. The slicing type is large, while the picklers are about two to four inches long. Most of us know some of the cucumber benefits, such as their cooling properties and that cucumbers are extremely good at relieving the eyes in the hot summer. However, they have many other health benefits as well. To know about them, read on.

Vitamin and Nutritional Info for Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar

Below are the amounts of nutrients in 100 gm (a little more than 3 ounces) of the raw, unpeeled cucumber in Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar: 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, when applied to the skin, can help reduce heat and inflammation.

- As a diuretic, the cucumber, when eaten, cools and cleanses, and is therefore beneficial to the skin.

- Cucumber water is great for heartburn, sour stomach and can even ease ulcer pain. Here's where you can find my cucumber water recipe.

- Placing a cucumber slice over the eyes not only soothes them, but also reduces swelling.

- Eating Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar can ease symptoms of arthritis, gout and eczema.

- Lung, stomach and chest issues are eased by cucumbers.

- Salad Cucumber á La Vinbar moderates the blood pressure because of its potassium content.

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

- Cucumber water and juice is said to promote hair growth, especially when it is added to the juice of carrot, lettuce and spinach.

- Cucumber water and juice can help ease rheumatism by cutting down excessive uric acid in the body, especially when taken with carrot juice.

- 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.

- Relief of symptoms of diabetics.

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 tsp raw sugar (Remember, if it's white, it ain't right!)

Mix together, let them 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.