Cucumber pickle is considered a by-product of cooking, but most housewives are in no hurry to dispose of it after emptying another can of pickles. Today, there are many ways to rationally use this substance, among which the most extensive list is occupied by various recipes of alternative medicine. Next, we will consider the main characteristics of cucumber pickle, as well as its beneficial properties for the body.
The chemical composition and calorie content of cucumber brine
Cucumber pickle is usually understood as a concentrated acid-salt solution formed during the anaerobic preservation of cucumbers. There are a lot of ways to prepare this preservative liquid, but often such a solution has a similar composition. It is based on tap water, as well as table salt.
During the pickling of a cucumber, the salt solution is saturated with the following substances:
- choline;
- vitamins C, E, K, PP, group B (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9);
- trace elements such as sodium, phosphorus, ferum, manganese, cuprum, selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium.
Energy value of the product:
Substance | 100 g amount |
Proteins and Fats | 0 g |
Carbohydrates | 0.3 g |
Calories | 12 kcal |
What is useful pickle from cucumbers?
During the preservation process, both cucumbers and liquids undergo drastic changes. Due to this, their organoleptic and chemical properties change. The pulp of the fruit becomes crispy, with a characteristic taste, and the brine is saturated with a variety of useful substances. This makes the brine a particularly dietary product that can have a healing effect on individual systems and the body as a whole.
The brine in the refrigerator is not stored for too long, so it is often frozen in the freezer, where it does not lose its beneficial properties
For children
Despite the rich and often harsh taste, not many children accept the brine, but its benefits to the child's body are quite large. The main advantage of the product in the high content of B vitamins. These compounds are indispensable for the proper formation of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and also provide healthy growth of cells and tissues of various organs and systems. In addition, they help improve the body's resistance against a variety of adverse factors.
Important! Children under 3 years old are contraindicated in brine. Under the ban is not only concentrated liquid, but also a variety of means based on it.
The normal functioning of the immune system in children is impossible without the presence of specific antioxidant substances. Periodic use of these antioxidants helps protect the body against pathogenic bacteria, fungi and helminths. In cucumber brine, they are abundant and are vitamins C and E. Thanks to their high content, brine in baby food becomes a powerful way to improve the immune system.
For adults
For an adult, brine is considered an indispensable means of replenishing the body with electrolytes. They ensure the normal functioning of nervous activity, which contributes to the proper functioning of mental activity, muscles of the body and other systems. The special composition of vitamins and minerals in brine plays a powerful role in ensuring the correct tone, as well as protection against overwork. This reduces the likelihood of muscle cramps, as well as dehydration of the body and exhaustion of the body.
As you know, a violation of the digestive processes, as well as normal intestinal activity, often occurs due to a violation of the acid-base balance, as well as microflora. Brine, in turn, helps to colonize the digestive system with beneficial bacteria, as well as reduce the population of parasitic and pathogenic microorganisms. Due to the increased acidity, the product also improves the work of the stomach, disturbed by the lack of digestive juice. It also helps to reduce discomfort and pain in the body caused by pathology.
In recent years, powerful protective properties of the product have been identified. With moderate but regular use, cucumber pickle helps protect organs and tissues from the appearance and development of cancer cells, which at times reduces the likelihood of oncological ailments. In addition, due to the acid reaction of the medium, the liquid creates unfavorable conditions for the development of parasites, which excludes extensive helminthiases.It is no secret that with age, a person experiences a sharp fluctuation in blood sugar levels. It can be continuous and periodic in nature, but regardless of this, the process has dire consequences. They lead to the formation of diabetes mellitus, which often provokes disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular and excretory systems, as well as the activity of the organs of vision and metabolism. The acidic reaction of the product Helps regulate blood sugar levels and protect the body from subsequent disturbances.
When losing weight
For everyone who wants to monitor their own weight and appearance, cucumber pickle is an indispensable assistant. Its use creates an acid reaction in the intestine, due to which the accumulation of subcutaneous fat is inhibited. In combination with grueling workouts, this property makes it possible to quickly eliminate body fat. Unlike the introduction of other acidic drinks into the diet, the brine also normalizes all kinds of metabolic disturbances, which often causes problems with excess weight.
In addition, during regular exercise, brine is one of the few natural remedies that quickly and safely increases endurance. The abundance of trace elements and vitamins allows you to create special conditions due to which fatigue occurs much later. At the same time, resistance to dehydration is also observed. Together, this allows you to extend the training process and increase the load, which determines the maximum loss of calories during sports.With various diseases
Due to the properties described above, cucumber pickle is not infrequently used to treat all kinds of pathologies. Solutions and other products based on it are widely used by folk and traditional medicine for:
- treatment of joint diseases, including injuries and bruises;
- normalization of endocrine processes;
- relief of constipation as a mild laxative;
- eliminate dysbiosis;
- the fight against halitosis;
- removal of cosmetic pathologies.
Did you know? For the first time, mankind began to pickle cucumbers in the third millennium BC. e., in the territory of Ancient Mesopotamia and India.
In addition, it is not uncommon for a product to be used to eliminate:
- appetite problems;
- muscle cramps;
- immunodeficiency conditions;
- intoxication of the body due to the "hangover";
- burns of the external integument;
- hiccups.
Rules and regulations for use
The acceptable rate of use of brine for an average adult is 200 ml / day. This is the maximum amount that without harm and any consequences can effectively support health. For children, this norm is halved, and amounts to no more than 100 ml / day. In this case, the product is best diluted 1: 1 with clean boiled water.
For therapeutic purposes, this norm is increased, in this case, for an adult consumer with a short course of use, it is permissible to drink up to 500-800 ml / day. Such therapy must be accompanied by interruptions, lasting at least 1-3 months. All kinds of cosmetic and medicinal products for external use can be used daily, but not more than 2 times a day. Moreover, after 1-3 months of their use, a long break should be made.
For indoor or outdoor use only fresh brine is suitable, with an age of not more than 3 months. After this period, the product becomes excessively aggressive for the body and often contains many harmful microorganisms. Liquid with a fungal film on the surface is particularly banned. Their activity leads to saturation of the solution with a variety of toxic compounds.
Important! If the liquid is unpleasant acidity or excessively salty, it can be diluted. To do this, use chilled boiled water.
In what areas is applied
Today, cucumber pickle is widely used in human activities. In most cases, it is used in cooking, as a flavorful highlight for many dishes. It is added to a variety of sauces, as well as stewed foods, which gives even the simplest food products a completely new aromatic notes.
Also quite often, the liquid is used as an additive to the dough, which is then used to prepare not only salty dishes, but also sweet pastries
For medicinal purposes, fluid is used no less often. In this case, various solutions for internal and external use are prepared on its basis, including in combination with honey, as well as juices and extracts of medicinal plants. In recent years, a variety of brine-based cosmetic products. Masks are prepared from it, as well as liquid solutions for rinsing hair. Often the liquid is frozen, in which case ice cubes become the best way to eliminate puffiness, inflammation and other skin imperfections.
Did you know? The most famous cucumber pickle dish, the so-called pickle, was invented in Russia, back in the 15th century. However, at that time the soup was called “Kalya,” and besides cucumber, it could be prepared on the basis of any other sour marinade.
Possible harm and contraindications
Since brine is referred not only to saturated, but also quite aggressive products, its use should be accompanied by some restrictions. First of all, this applies to a variety of diseases, which are often activated by the use of products or products based on it.
- Therefore, it is not recommended for:
- pathologies of the heart;
- hypertension
- atherosclerosis;
- hepatitis;
- calculi in the kidneys and urinary canals;
- cholecystitis;
- gout
- pregnancy and lactation.
With moderate use, the product does not cause any negative health effects, but if the recommendations are not followed, it can provoke sharp allergic reactions of the body. Often this leads to the appearance of itching, rash and redness of the skin, but can lead to more serious consequences.
Do not abuse cucumber pickle, it can be harmful to health and cause side effects: tissue edema, headache and gastrointestinal colic
Overuse of brine can trigger an increase in blood pressure, even without any medical condition. Often, the product leads to a supersaturation of tissues with sodium. This helps to retain moisture in the body, which provokes swelling of the limbs and soft tissues. Also, an abundance of brine in the diet can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, or increased gas formation in the intestines.
Cucumber pickle is a real storehouse of many vitamins and minerals, so it is not only allowed, but also necessary to maintain health. Just one glass of the product can improve the activity of the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems, as well as normalize the metabolism. However, it should be used with caution, it is a fairly saturated and concentrated substance that can have an irritating effect.