Useful properties of zucchini for the human body
The benefits of zucchini for the human body are great. This is one of the most popular vegetables, which has a lot of useful properties. It is used in various recipes: main courses, soups, preserves and salads.
Useful properties of zucchini for the human body
Chemical composition and calorie content
The calorie content of a plant, like any vegetable, is small - only 17 kcal. 100 g of the product has the following nutritional value:
- proteins - 1.2 g;
- fats - 0.32 g;
- carbohydrates - 3 g.
The chemical composition of a vegetable has many useful elements:
- iron. A microelement necessary for the body, which is found in sufficient quantities in meat dishes and vegetables. The amount in the plant is 0.4 mg;
- potassium. An essential part for the muscles and nerves to work. In a vegetable - 240 mg;
- vitamin C. It is necessary for the restoration of damaged tissues, improvement of the gum health. Amount - 15 mcg;
- vitamin B. An important component of cellular metabolism. As part of the vegetable - 0.14 mcg.
Beneficial features
These plants are packed with beneficial trace elements. For different categories of people, zucchini has its advantages for the body.
For children
The peel, pulp, seeds and juice contain elements that have a positive effect on the child's body, helping it grow quickly and resist external infections.
For babies, it would be a good idea to add this particular product to the diet, because it is well accepted by the fragile system. An important element for children is pectin, which is part of the plant. It helps in the functioning of the intestines, improving its peristalsis.
Babies often suffer from constipation and gastrointestinal problems. Instead of pills, you can add zucchini dishes (soups, cereals) to the child's diet, which will provide him with good stools and a minimum of intestinal problems.
For women
Thanks to its properties, zucchini is useful during menopause, when women are plagued by mood swings. It normalizes the condition and increases hemoglobin.
Culture has a positive effect on the reproductive system. If you introduce this product into the diet, then pain decreases on critical days. In addition, the work of the ovaries improves, and the inflammatory processes in the hip part are reduced.
Women use this product as hair masks: in the form of juice against split ends. It produces a rejuvenating effect on the skin of the face.
For pregnant
Pregnant women need to closely monitor their diet. Zucchini is a great option for expectant mothers, because thanks to its beneficial properties, it has a good effect on the entire pregnancy process.
Zucchini increases lactation
The main beneficial characteristic of the plant is that it helps to increase lactation. The product has a positive effect on each of the trimesters of pregnancy:
- first - at this time the girls are worried about toxicosis.If you add this vegetable to the diet, it will not cause nausea due to its low calorie content and rapid absorption by the body;
- the second - at this stage of pregnancy, the use of zucchini will not harm, but it must be borne in mind that in addition to it, you need to eat more protein;
- third - at this time women suffer from edema, and this plant helps to remove excess fluid and salt from the body.
For men
This culture is also considered a male vegetable, because it has a great effect on their body. The usefulness of zucchini for men is to increase male potency. In some eastern countries, preparations are made based on this fruit to improve male strength.
The vegetable helps the body produce testosterone, and protects against certain diseases in old age. For the prevention of heart disease, atherosclerosis, liver pathologies, this product is used. In addition, it helps to remove excess toxins from the body.
Zucchini for weight loss
Zucchini is low in calories. More than 90% of the vegetable is water. If you add zucchini dishes to your diet, this product will not only help you lose those extra pounds, but also improve your overall health.
The only prerequisite for preparing a dish from fresh zucchini is not to cook in oil. Only then will this product be an excellent component of the diet. In addition to low calorie content, it has a positive effect on the nervous system, improves intestinal motility and speeds up metabolism.
Healing properties
The beneficial properties of zucchini are quite extensive. During a strict diet, patients are prescribed dishes with this particular vegetable.
For the gastrointestinal tract
Patients with gastrointestinal diseases are prescribed a diet high in vegetables and cereals. Zucchini is a plant to be taken during bowel diseases.
The product is used to treat such diseases: cholecystitis, gallstones, hepatitis, metabolic disorders.
The product is advised to be added to the diet after surgery. Dishes are well absorbed by the body without overloading it. This is an important property for a weakened stomach.
Fresh zucchini helps well after poisoning. Due to its beneficial elements and water composition, the product removes toxins well. After severe poisoning, a squash diet is often prescribed.
It includes: fish and meat of low-fat varieties, zucchini, low-fat dairy products, herbs and mushrooms. Meals per day - 5-6.
For the cardiovascular system
Vegetable helps eliminate cholesterol
Zucchini is recommended for people with heart problems. The main and important trace element of zucchini is potassium. Its presence in the body helps to regulate acid balance and improve blood pressure.
The vegetable contains dietary fiber that helps remove excess cholesterol.
With diabetes
Zucchini is a product where the sugar content is minimal, which is why most doctors recommend it as a staple in a strict diabetic diet.
The composition of the vegetable is saturated with vitamins C and B, which are necessary for the body. The lack of coarse fiber in fruits improves their absorption by the body. This helps to normalize the functioning of the pancreas, which is the source of insulin production.
Proper nutrition is the key to well-being for diabetics. Zucchini provides the body with useful trace elements, and also, thanks to its components, strengthens the vascular wall, which prevents complications of pathology.
The only drawback of the vegetable is that it can contain a large amount of nitrates. To avoid problems, the fruit is soaked in saline before cooking. Estimated time is 30 minutes.
For the prevention of oncology
Zucchini is one of the few foods that does a good job at treating cancerous tumors. It is added to the diet to treat lung cancer.
Carotene, which is part of the vegetable, perfectly removes all toxic substances from the body. In addition, the element helps to improve the immune system, which is an important factor in the prevention of tumors.
Young, thin-skinned zucchini are especially popular. The shell of the vegetable is loaded with antioxidants, and the seeds of the plant contain fatty acids.
Doctors advise eating foods raw or steamed. You can not fry zucchini in oil, because, on the contrary, it is a stimulant of cancerous tumors.
A dish for the prevention of cancer is made in the form of a salad: the vegetable is cut into thin strips and consumed raw. Steamed zucchini and garlic cutlets are a great recipe in this case, because this dish contains 2 healthy ingredients.
Zucchini is one of the top 20 cancer-fighting foods. Its beneficial qualities are assessed on a par with garlic and green tea. Due to the high percentage of cancer diseases, it is imperative to include this particular vegetable in the diet.
For the liver
The list of useful properties of a vegetable for the liver is great. This product helps especially well after the holidays, where alcohol and fatty foods are the two main problems for the body.
Thanks to the dietary fiber that is part of the vegetable, harmful substances are well removed from the body. Zucchini dishes have a choleretic effect, which helps prevent gallstones from forming.
Many people freeze the vegetable in order to get the necessary vitamins during the winter cold.
Harm and contraindications
Despite all the benefits of zucchini, you need to be aware that the product has its own contraindications and it can cause harm. It sometimes causes allergic reactions, especially in babies. This is due to heredity or substances in the plant.
Babies, like adults, often have the following symptoms:
- inflammation of the mucous membranes;
- vomiting;
- cough and runny nose.
If a person has a strong intolerance to fresh zucchini, then in especially severe cases anaphylactic shock appears. After the manifestation of a severe allergic reaction, an ambulance is immediately called. You cannot carry out the treatment yourself.
The use of zucchini is contraindicated for people with kidney problems, in the presence of an acute form of pancreatitis. It is forbidden to eat a vegetable in its raw form with exacerbation of stomach ulcers and gastritis.
The benefits of zucchini are much more than harm, therefore, it is recommended to often use these fruits. Some people drink zucchini juice in the morning to increase the general tone of the body. If you use the product in moderation and do not forget about its correct preparation, you can use it to prolong your life and improve your health.