Zucchini is a popular vegetable for home cultivation, widely used in cooking. In addition, it is very useful for the human body and is valued in folk medicine. Learn more about zucchini, the features of its use in food and for the treatment of common diseases.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Raw zucchini has a rich chemical composition, which is represented by:

• molybdenum;
• titanium;
• aluminum;
• lithium;
• zinc;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• magnesium
• calcium
• vitamins of group B, C;
• acids - nicotinic, malic, folic.

The calorie content of the raw vegetable is 23 kcal per 100 g of product. 100 g of raw zucchini contain:

• 93 g of water;
• 4.6 g of carbohydrates;
• 0.6 g of protein;
• 0.3 g of fat;
• 0.3 g of dietary fiber;
• 0.8 g of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids;
• 0.4 g of ash.

Did you know? South America is considered the birthplace of zucchini, and the vegetable was brought to Europe in the 16th century and has long been used as an ornamental plant, thanks to its beautiful and large flowers.

What is useful zucchini

Zucchini is considered a product useful for the body, as it contains many useful substances, has a balanced composition and has a minimal amount of calories.

For men

In this case, first of all, it is worth noting the benefit of the product for the prostate and the prevention of cancer. Using the fetus itself or its juice, it is possible to stimulate the genitourinary system and have a preventive effect on common "male" diseases. Zucchini contains an element necessary for the male body - iron, which increases the level of testosterone - the male hormone.

Thanks to the antioxidants available there, the aging of the body slows down, and the minimal calorie content allows you to consume a vegetable in large quantities and not gain weight. Dietary product is indicated for nutrition of athletes, as it has a high nutritional value and causes a feeling of fullness after eating.

For women

Zucchini for women is very useful, especially during the period of bearing a child and when breastfeeding. A large amount of calcium in the composition allows you to saturate the mother's body with this important element, which in the future will be spent on the formation of the skeleton of the fetus.

Did you know? They eat not only fruits, but also zucchini flowers. Flower dishes are widespread in Mediterranean cuisine - for example, in Greece, flowers stuffed with rice and vegetables, baked in sauce or deep-fried are a popular dish.

The vitamins and trace elements that are contained in the vegetable are indispensable for the baby during breastfeeding. Especially useful vegetable is considered for women who suffer from arthritis and high blood pressure, problems with the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic disorders in the body.

• In addition, zucchini is able to:
• slow down the aging process, renew and regenerate cells;
• to strengthen and restore hair;
• increase the elasticity and firmness of the skin;
• increase immunity;
• improve intestinal motility;
• remove toxins and cholesterol;
• neutralize radionuclides;
• increase stress resistance.

For children

Zucchini is a useful dietary product for children. It does not cause allergies, but it contains useful substances necessary for the normal development of the child's body. Zucchini is the first vegetable that is recommended to be introduced into complementary foods; You can start mashed vegetables at the age of 6 months. A sufficient amount of calcium in the composition of the vegetable is used by the body to form and strengthen the bone tissue of a still weak children's skeleton.

The product helps to strengthen the immune system, so it should be regularly introduced into the diet of children. The vegetable is rich in fiber, which gently cleanses the body, has a laxative effect. Children who are prone to allergies are often prescribed a zucchini diet: the vegetable helps to cleanse the liver and alleviates allergy symptoms such as itching and peeling.

Contraindications and harm

• As with any other product, there are contraindications to the consumption of zucchini, characterized by:
• degenerative inflammatory changes in the lining of the stomach;
• local stomach defect;
• renal failure;
• increased acidity of the stomach;
• inflammatory processes of the gallbladder;
• allergic reactions to vegetables.

This product can cause harm to the body only if the recommendations for use are not followed. For example: people with kidney failure who consume a vegetable, despite the ban, can aggravate the course of the disease, as it contains excessive amounts of magnesium.

If you eat raw fruit to people with gastritis and an ulcer, you can provoke irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach. Individuals with individual intolerance can suffer from allergies, accompanied by itching, rash, vomiting, dry coughing, runny nose, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tearing.

Important! Zucchini, although very rare, can cause an anaphylactic reaction of the body (a person begins to suffocate, may lose consciousness), which threatens a person's life. In this case, an ambulance is called immediately.

Application features

Zucchini is used in everyday life to prepare various dishes, so the features of eating a vegetable in different cases are further discussed.

In cooking

The norm of fruit consumption for an adult is 200 g daily. Squash juice is recommended to drink no more than 1 liter per day. You can use the vegetable both in raw and in cooked form. Raw fruit is used for salads, while choosing young tender specimens. Zucchini can be fried, boiled, baked, stewed - and as a separate dish, and supplemented with other ingredients.

These fruits combine well with other vegetables - carrots, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, so they are added to vegetable sauté, casseroles, soups. Zucchini can be a great addition to meat, poultry and even fish as a side dish. In addition, the fruits are pickled and canned for storage in the winter, cut into rings or processed into caviar.

In folk medicine

Zucchini have a therapeutic effect on the body, if you know how to use them correctly.

With diabetes

There are 2 common recipes for using fruits for this ailment:

1. Grind the peeled zucchini seeds in a mortar, add a small amount of water and honey to make a slurry. Take the medicine 3 times a day for 1 tbsp. l
2. Grate the washed fruit and squeeze the juice (you can use a juicer), take 100 ml 3 times a day, for 20 minutes. before meals.

You will be interested to know how the juice from zucchini is useful for the human body.

With diseases of the stomach

There is no medicine based on zucchini for diseases of the stomach, but the vegetable can be introduced into the patient’s diet as a safe dietary product. However, it is noted that a raw vegetable or fruit juice is categorically not recommended for use in catering to patients with gastritis, gastric ulcer and other inflammatory processes, since the patient's condition can be worsened. You can eat the product after heat treatment, it is desirable to cook, bake or simmer. Fried fruits for diseases of the stomach should also be excluded from the diet.

In cosmetology

Zucchini is a popular cosmetic product that has a positive effect on the skin of the body and is used to make masks.

Anti-aging mask

This mask has a tightening effect, eliminates small wrinkles, tones and moisturizes the skin. To prepare the mask, you need to peel a slice of zucchini and grate 2 tbsp. l Mix the pulp with wheat flour (1 tbsp.), Egg yolk (1 pc.), Honey (1 tsp.), Cream (1 tsp.) And peach oil (1 tsp.). Apply freshly prepared product to the face and decollete for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Use 2 times a week until the desired effect is achieved.

Refreshing

A refreshing mask removes puffiness, dark circles under the eyes. To prepare the mask, chilled apple and zucchini in a refrigerator are grated and squeezed juice (or use a juicer). A thick paper towel is moistened in the juice, squeezed slightly and applied to the face, the mask is kept for 20 minutes. If the napkin dries quickly, it is periodically moistened. Make a mask 2 times a week, each time it is better to prepare fresh juice.

Important! In raw form, you can use only young, with a thin skin, zucchini, so as not to strain the stomach.

Cleansing

Cleansing removes dead skin cells, removes toxins and normalizes oxygen metabolism in the skin of the face. It is not recommended to use a mask on damaged skin. For cooking, squash juice (15 ml), cosmetic clay (10 g), aspirin (1 tablet) are used. A crushed tablet is mixed with other components, the mixture is applied to the skin and kept for 10 minutes, then washed off with cool water. You can do this mask once a week.

Toning and soothing mask

Such a mask improves blood microcirculation, saturates the cells with oxygen, provides elasticity to the skin, and relieves irritation. The mask consists of grated squash (15 g) and cottage cheese (10 g). The components are mixed and applied to the skin, the mask is aged 15 minutes. The remnants of the mask are washed off with massage movements of the fingertips using warm water. Make a mask recommended 2 times a week.

Nourishing mask

Nourishing nourishes the skin with useful components, reduces pigmentation, restores elasticity. To prepare the mask, you need to use zucchini puree (10 g), cocoa powder (10 g), shea butter (5 g). All components are thoroughly mixed and applied in a dense layer on the skin of the face, can withstand 15 minutes, rinse with warm water. Use this mask once a week.

Against acne

Acne mask has anti-inflammatory effect, dries skin rashes. For cooking, use grated squash (10 g), rye flour (5 g), chamomile oil (3 drops). All components are mixed, applied to problem areas, incubated for 10 minutes. After the specified time, wash off with warm water. Make a mask is recommended 1 time per week.

Against rough skin on the heels

The mask against rough skin on the heels softens the rough skin, makes the heels soft and smooth. A young grated squash is placed in gauze, tied and applied to coarse heels for 30 minutes. After the procedure, rinse with warm water and lubricate with a nourishing moisturizer. You can do the procedure 3 times a week.

When losing weight

For weight loss, there is a special squash diet, which involves the use of vegetables as the basis for drawing up a diet for losing weight. It is recommended to maintain the diet for a week, after which take a break for 2 weeks and repeat again. Fruits are used as a side dish, combining it with lean meat, poultry, fish, which are steamed, boiled or baked.

Learn more about the benefits and harms of squash seeds.

Following a similar diet, you can eat dairy and sour milk products with a low percentage of fat, eggs, any vegetables in small quantities (since the base is zucchini), an unlimited amount of greens. It is forbidden to use during weight loss - flour, sweet, fatty, fried, smoked, very salty. Coffee and alcohol are also banned. Heat treatment of fruits should be minimal so that the maximum amount of nutrients is preserved.

How to choose the best fruit when buying

When buying zucchini, you should first of all pay attention to the appearance of vegetables. The peel of the fruit should be whole, smooth, without questionable spots, uniform color. To the touch, a quality product is dense and solid. Young fruits, which should be preferred when buying, have a delicate soft peel, and when you press the nail on the surface, you can easily leave a mark.

The aroma of fresh fruits is pleasant, slightly perceptible for vegetables - you should not buy fruits with a pronounced pungent odor, which may indicate spoilage or excessive processing by chemicals.

How and how much can be stored in the refrigerator

Keeping zucchini in the refrigerator is best in paper bags in the vegetable compartment or on the bottom shelf. In the packages, you first need to make small holes for good air circulation, in one package you should store no more than 2-3 fruits. You can not wash the fruits before laying them for storage, such vegetables will not be well preserved and will soon begin to rot.

Regularly inspect vegetables for damage or putrefactive formations; spoiled zucchini should be removed immediately so that the rot does not spread to good fruits. Subject to all recommendations, the shelf life of fruits in the refrigerator is 2-3 months.

Read also whether it is possible to freeze zucchini fresh for the winter.

Thus, zucchini is a useful low-calorie vegetable that is useful for adults and children in the absence of contraindications. In addition, based on the fruit, you can prepare medicines for the treatment of certain diseases, and even prepare cosmetics.