Content
- 1 Chemical composition and calorie content of zucchini
- 2 The benefits of zucchini for the human body
- 3 Are fried zucchini healthy?
- 4 The benefits and harms of stewed zucchini
- 5 The benefits of zucchini for weight loss
- 6 What are the benefits of zucchini for a pregnant woman?
- 7 The benefits of zucchini for children
- 8 Folk recipes
- 9 Features of use
- 10 Application in home cosmetology
- 11 Harm of zucchini and contraindications
- 12 Conclusion
The benefits of zucchini for the human body are associated with a fairly high content of vitamins, mineral components and fiber. This allows the vegetable to be used by almost all people, even with gastritis, pancreatitis and diabetes. Zucchini is used both for food and for treatment, as well as in cosmetology.
Chemical composition and calorie content of zucchini
Zucchini is beneficial for the human body due to the fact that it contains vitamins, minerals and other valuable substances: B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9), C, K, PP, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, molybdenum, copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc, chromium, selenium.
Along with vitamins, zucchini also contains dietary fiber - 1 g per 100 g, which is 4% of the recommended daily intake.They improve the composition of intestinal microflora and ensure normal digestion.
The beneficial properties of zucchini for the human body are associated with its low calorie content - only 24 kcal per 100 g. Nutritional value for the same weight:
- proteins – 0.6 g;
- fats – 0.3 g;
- carbohydrates – 4.6 g.
A significant part of the pulp is water - 93%, the remaining 7% is dry matter.
The benefits of zucchini for the human body
The benefits of zucchini are related to its chemical composition. 100 g of pulp contains almost 20% of the daily requirement of vitamin C. It contributes to:
- strengthening the immune system;
- increasing the body's resistance to stress;
- prevention of premature aging;
- absorption of iron compounds;
- accelerating wound healing;
- stimulating collagen synthesis;
- improving skin condition;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
- normalization of pressure.
The vegetable is recommended as a preventative against fatigue.
The benefits of zucchini are also related to other points:
- improved heart function thanks to potassium and magnesium;
- stimulation of digestion;
- mild diuretic effect;
- preventing swelling;
- strengthening bones and joints, tooth enamel;
- choleretic effect, stone prevention;
- prevention of obesity due to low calorie content;
- getting rid of helminths.
The benefits of zucchini for a woman’s body
Zucchini brings great benefits to the body of women. The substances included in its composition activate collagen synthesis, due to which the skin will look more attractive and fine wrinkles will disappear.
Antioxidants contained in zucchini prevent premature aging processes and protect cells from harmful free radicals.
The benefit is also explained by the fact that it lowers cholesterol levels.This allows you to prevent dangerous pathologies such as heart attack and stroke. The vegetable also cleanses the liver and helps to recover after a feast or long-term treatment.
The benefits of zucchini for the male body
The benefits of zucchini for men are associated with vitamin C. It not only improves immunity, but also strengthens blood vessels, gives endurance, and resistance to harmful factors and stress. The potassium contained in the composition helps remove excess fluid, which is especially important if a man abuses salty foods.
Zucchini helps normalize blood pressure and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to include it in the diet on an ongoing basis.
Are fried zucchini healthy?
Fried zucchini provides less benefit than raw or stewed zucchini. The fact is that during heat treatment all vitamin C and a significant part of other useful substances are destroyed.
Along with the benefits, fried zucchini can also cause harm. It is due to the fact that frying is done in oil. The product significantly increases calorie content and in large quantities can cause indigestion, nausea, and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Due to the heating of oil, carcinogens are formed in it. Therefore, people who overdose on fried foods have a greater risk of developing cancer.
The benefits and harms of stewed zucchini
Stewed zucchini is less beneficial for the human body compared to raw zucchini. This is due to heat treatment, which destroys vitamin C. Even if you simply bake zucchini in the oven, they will lose a significant part of their nutrients.
However, stewed zucchini is useful because it is low in calories.Even those who watch their figure can consume this product in large quantities. In addition, not much oil is used during stewing, the product turns out to be low-fat and more tasty compared to raw vegetables.
Stewed vegetables are less healthy than fresh ones
The benefits of zucchini for weight loss
Zucchini has great benefits for the adult body, including for weight loss. This is due to several reasons:
- The composition contains dietary fiber, which stimulates digestion and provides a feeling of fullness.
- The product is low-calorie and contains no fat. Even if you eat a large portion of a side dish based on zucchini, the dish will be beneficial - it will saturate the body, but will not increase weight.
- The pulp contains a lot of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, gives vigor, and increases endurance.
They taste more pleasant, so you can eat them raw. Fresh vegetables contain the maximum amount of vitamins, which will have a good effect on metabolic processes and weight loss.
What are the benefits of zucchini for a pregnant woman?
Vegetables are also beneficial during pregnancy. They can be used throughout the entire period – the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The product is low-calorie, does not contain organic acids, does not cause bloating, heaviness in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting. It will saturate the body with vitamins and minerals, which is especially important during this period.
The benefits of zucchini are also related to the fact that they help eliminate swelling due to their diuretic effect. The pulp removes excess fluid from the body, making you feel better. It also relieves constipation, which is especially common during pregnancy.
During breastfeeding, the vegetable can be included almost immediately in your usual diet. To be on the safe side, it is better to start with a small amount, for example, 50-70 g per day. If the child and mother feel normal after this, you can gradually increase the portion to the usual volumes.
The benefits of zucchini for children
Vegetables are good for children. They improve digestion and saturate the body with vitamins and minerals. There is practically no fat in the pulp, which eliminates digestive problems, heaviness in the stomach and other unpleasant symptoms. Fresh zucchini and juice strengthen the immune system. Therefore, they are recommended to be consumed in the spring-autumn period, when seasonal infections spread.
Vegetables strengthen children's immunity
Folk recipes
Due to its health benefits, zucchini is used in folk medicine to treat various diseases, such as worms and diabetes.
From worms
To destroy parasites, take 50 g of vegetable seeds, peel them and pour a glass of water. Boil over low heat for 15 minutes and leave for 2 hours, filter and take half a glass three times a day before meals.
For diabetes
After heat treatment, the glycemic index of zucchini increases. Therefore, for diabetes, fresh vegetables will provide the most benefit. You can grate them, add chopped garlic, dill, olive oil and a little salt. This salad can be used as a side dish for meat and fish dishes.
Features of use
Zucchini provides quite a lot of benefits for the body at almost any age. To get the most out of this vegetable, it is recommended to learn about the peculiarities of its use in different cases, for example, with diabetes or stomach ulcers.
For pancreatitis
If you have pancreatitis, you can only eat fresh or stewed vegetables. Zucchini baked in the oven with a minimum amount of oil will also be beneficial. Fried foods should be completely avoided, especially during an exacerbation.
For diabetes
During diabetes, zucchini should be consumed with caution. Its glycemic index is 75 units, which is about the same as watermelon. It is worth keeping in mind that the vegetable quickly increases blood sugar levels. Therefore, in case of diabetes, it should be included in the diet only with restrictions.
For gastritis and stomach ulcers
For gastritis with high acidity, zucchini will be beneficial both in heat-treated and fresh form. They do not contain acids, so they do not affect the composition of the gastric juice of the stomach.
But if the acidity is low, it is not recommended to consume the vegetable fresh and its juice. This may cause irritation of the mucous membrane.
During an ulcer, zucchini can be included in the diet. They will provide special benefits when stewed or baked. But during an exacerbation, vegetables are excluded from the menu until the state of health stabilizes.
Zucchini can be consumed for gastritis and stomach ulcers
For gout
If you have gout, you can use zucchini. They will provide certain benefits associated with saturating the body with vitamins and minerals. However, you should not abuse them, especially when fried.
Application in home cosmetology
The medicinal properties of zucchini allow them to be used in cosmetology.They are included in face masks. The vegetable composition will help restore hair.
For facial skin
To prepare the mask, it is recommended to chop the zucchini (50 g) on a fine grater, add the egg yolk and 1 tbsp. wheat flour, as well as 10 ml of olive oil. Beat the pulp in a blender and apply to the face and neck for 20 minutes. If you repeat the procedure regularly, you can quickly get rid of wrinkles and swelling.
For hair
To strengthen hair and eliminate oiliness, it is recommended to mix grated zucchini with olive oil and flour or cosmetic clay until a homogeneous paste is obtained. Then rub into the hair roots and leave for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm water and shampoo.
Harm of zucchini and contraindications
Zucchini can cause not only benefits, but also harm if consumed in excessive quantities. Vegetables should be included in the diet with caution in the following cases:
- irritable bowel syndrome;
- diabetes;
- gastritis, ulcer in the acute stage;
- pancreatitis (fried foods are dangerous).
The only strict contraindication is individual intolerance. If allergic reactions occur, the vegetable is completely excluded from the menu.
Conclusion
The benefits of zucchini for the body have been well studied. You can eat this vegetable at any age, even if you have chronic diseases. The product is most useful when fresh. Therefore, it is better to use it without heat treatment.
