Content
- 1 Chemical composition and calorie content
- 2 The benefits of zucchini juice for the human body
- 3 Is it possible to drink zucchini juice during pregnancy?
- 4 Zucchini juice for weight loss
- 5 Zucchini juice for diabetes
- 6 Benefits and uses of zucchini juice for skin
- 7 Benefits and uses of zucchini juice for hair
- 8 How to get zucchini juice
- 9 How to use zucchini juice in cooking
- 10 Harm and contraindications
- 11 Storage conditions and periods
- 12 Conclusion
The benefits of zucchini juice are associated with its rich chemical composition and low calorie content. This is a dietary product that has virtually no contraindications. It can be consumed by almost all people, including pregnant women and during breastfeeding.
Chemical composition and calorie content
The benefits of zucchini juice for the human body are explained by its chemical composition. It consists of 95% water, but the remaining 5% contains quite a lot of valuable chemicals:
- vitamins: A, E, C, PP, group B (including riboflavin, folic acid, biotin, thiamine, pantothenic acid and B6);
- potassium;
- sodium;
- phosphorus;
- calcium;
- iron.
Since a significant proportion of the composition is water, the calorie content is very low - only 22 kcal per 100 ml. Nutritional value for the same volume:
- proteins – 0.6 g;
- fats – 0.3 g;
- carbohydrates – 4.6 g.
Beneficial properties and low calorie content allow you to use zucchini juice in almost any diet. It can be consumed even in large quantities. It should be remembered that no juice can replace water. There is no need to refuse to drink pure liquid.
The benefits of zucchini juice for the human body
Juice from fresh zucchini really benefits the body. Regular consumption has a positive effect on various body systems. Under the influence of juice occurs:
- strengthening the immune system;
- improved metabolism thanks to vitamins;
- normalization of kidney function;
- regulation of water-salt balance;
- removal of half-life products and toxic substances from the body;
- strengthening the heart and blood vessels;
- appetite stimulation;
- restoration of intestinal function;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- increase in hemoglobin content;
- increasing stress resistance;
- elimination of sleep problems, insomnia;
- getting rid of excess weight.
Is it possible to drink zucchini juice during pregnancy?
The benefits of freshly squeezed zucchini juice also appear during pregnancy. It is especially important to take it during the first trimester. The liquid contains the valuable substance folic acid. It helps in the correct formation of the fetus and prevents developmental deviations.
Zucchini juice also saturates the body with vitamins and stabilizes the water-salt balance. You should not drink more than 2-3 glasses a day.
At first you need to take it in small quantities (100-200 ml).Further, if the condition of the mother and child is normal, there are no allergic reactions, the daily dose can be gradually increased to 700-800 ml.
Zucchini juice for weight loss
The benefits of fresh juice for weight loss have been proven. Zucchini juice:
- saturates the body;
- provides a minimum of calories - only 22 kcal per 100 ml;
- improves water-salt balance;
- activates metabolism thanks to vitamins;
- Helps cleanse the body of toxins and remove toxins.
Juice is not the only form of consuming zucchini during weight loss. Stewed or baked vegetables are useful, and to a lesser extent, fried ones, for example, in the form of pancakes. They saturate the body quite well and can become the basis for a fasting day. Also, zucchini-based dishes can be consumed in the evening as a snack, but no later than two hours before bedtime.
Zucchini juice for diabetes
The glycemic index of zucchini is only 22 units. For comparison: buckwheat has 45, and many varieties of rice have more than 60. Therefore, such a product, and especially the juice from it, can be used for both types of diabetes.
It is worth remembering that it is better to drink the liquid freshly squeezed, i.e. fresh itself. It is important to follow other diet rules as recommended by your doctor.
If you have any chronic diseases or problems with the digestive system, you need to take fresh juice gradually. An example diagram is:
- In the first week, 50 ml per day.
- Starting from the eighth day, you can add 50 ml.
- As soon as the daily norm has reached 500 ml, it should be divided into three doses.
- In this mode, fresh juice can be consumed for a month, then you will definitely need to take a break for at least a week.
Benefits and uses of zucchini juice for skin
Zucchini juice is beneficial for the human body, and it is used not only internally, but also externally. It is used when applying face masks. This product is suitable for both dry and oily skin. The liquid also strengthens hair, making it stronger and more attractive. Basic recipes for home use are described below.
Mask for dry skin
Freshly squeezed juice is good for all skin types (oily, combination and dry):
- perfectly moisturizes tissues;
- nourishes them with vitamins and minerals;
- prevents premature aging processes due to antioxidants;
- improves appearance, makes it smoother.
To prepare the mask, you need to mix fresh juice with peach oil and honey in equal quantities. The composition is applied to clean facial skin and left for 20-25 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water.
Mask for oily skin
Fresh juice also has benefits for oily skin. Thanks to good hydration and vitaminization, the liquid has a beneficial effect on water-salt metabolism. The volume of fatty secretions decreases, and the bright shine disappears. For treatment, you need to mix the liquid with a decoction of oak bark and low-fat kefir in equal quantities.
To get the maximum benefit from the procedure, the composition is applied to the facial skin and left for 20 minutes. It is better to lie down and relax, and then wash off the mask with warm water.
For pigment spots
The healing properties of zucchini juice also help get rid of age spots on the skin. The benefit of fresh juice in this case is that it contains organic acids. To remove stains, a napkin is soaked in the resulting liquid and applied to problem areas. After 15 minutes, the composition can be washed off with water. Such procedures can be repeated quite often.After just a few days, the spots will become less noticeable.
For cellulite
It is also possible to use zucchini juice to treat a disease such as cellulite. Fresh helps:
- increase the elasticity of the skin;
- regulate metabolic processes;
- eliminate swelling;
- remove dangerous toxins from the body.
To get maximum benefits, it is recommended to massage regularly. Rubbing with zucchini juice will significantly improve the appearance of the skin. The product is completely safe because it does not cause allergic reactions and has no contraindications.
Benefits and uses of zucchini juice for hair
The benefits of fresh juice are also due to the fact that it strengthens the hair, heals the roots, which improves the appearance:
- hair becomes silky and soft;
- dry scalp disappears;
- the natural structure of the hair is restored;
- gray hair decreases.
To strengthen your hair, after each wash, rub the fresh juice into the skin and leave it there for 10-15 minutes. If the skin is dry, the liquid is mixed with any type of honey in a 1:1 ratio. To restore the structure, make a mixture of equal volumes of fresh juice, olive oil and milk. To cope with gray hair, rub zucchini juice for greater benefits 20 minutes before washing.
How to get zucchini juice
It’s easy to make zucchini juice at home. You don't need any special equipment for this. It is better to take vegetables from the garden or buy them from summer residents, or, in extreme cases, in the store. Preference should be given only to young fruits, since they have a delicate peel and the seeds have not yet formed.
To prepare fresh juice, proceed as follows:
- Rinse vegetables from dirt under running water.
- Take a sharp knife, peel the peel, remove the tails.
- Cut the pulp into equal slices 1-1.5 cm thick.
- If necessary, remove all the seeds - then the benefits of the drink will be greater.
- Place the pieces in a blender or meat grinder and grind until the consistency of a homogeneous paste.
- Then squeeze thoroughly through gauze, which must be folded in several layers.
To do this, the peeled pulp is grated on a very fine grater and then squeezed several times through cheesecloth. The method is more labor-intensive, but the result is no worse.
How to use zucchini juice in cooking
To obtain maximum benefits, it is better to consume zucchini juice fresh and in its purest form. However, you can add other ingredients to it, for example:
- garlic (chopped);
- various vegetable juices;
- fruits, fresh juices;
- honey;
- sugar;
- salt (literally a pinch).
To prevent fermentation in the stomach, it is better to drink the juice 20 minutes before a meal or an hour after a meal. At first, it is better to drink in small sips - then there will be more benefits, otherwise an attack of nausea may develop.
If you have problems with your teeth, it is better to use a straw. Otherwise, tooth enamel may be damaged by organic acids. You should not use the product at night, as it may interfere with sleep and create abdominal discomfort.
Also, to preserve the benefits, squash juice can be prepared for the winter. To do this you will need the following products:
- zucchini – 1.5 kg;
- orange – 1 large;
- granulated sugar – 200 g.
Step-by-step cooking instructions:
- Wash the vegetables, peel and remove the seeds.
- Cut into small pieces and grind with a blender.
- Then squeeze through cheesecloth.
- Pour into a saucepan, turn on low heat.
- Zest the orange for added benefits.
- Rub the fruit pulp through a sieve.
- Add the resulting juice to the zucchini juice.
- Bring to a boil and simmer over very low heat for another 4-5 minutes.
- Pour into sterilized jars.
- Roll up the lids and wrap them in a blanket.
- Send for storage in a dark, cool place, for example, in a cellar.
Harm and contraindications
If consumed in moderation, zucchini juice will not only benefit the body, but also cause harm. If you drink no more than a liter per day, there will be no side effects. But if you drink too much fresh juice, it can lead to the following consequences:
- digestive problems;
- bloating;
- diarrhea;
- disturbance of water-salt balance in the body.
Almost all people can drink zucchini juice every day. But there are also a number of contraindications in which there is not much benefit from fresh juice, but there will definitely be harm:
- stomach ulcer;
- during exacerbation of pancreatitis and other chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- inflammatory processes in the gallbladder;
- pathologies of the liver, kidneys.
Storage conditions and periods
Zucchini juice, like other fresh juices, is most beneficial only in the first hour after its preparation. Due to contact with oxygen or the rays of the sun, over time, some of the substances are destroyed and the benefits decrease.
After preparation, it is better to drink it immediately, but you can also put it in the refrigerator for a maximum of one day. After this, the juice is not suitable for consumption; there will be no benefit from it.
Another option is to get fresh zucchini juice and immediately preserve it in sterilized jars. The shelf life increases to one and a half years. But the jars need to be placed in the basement, cellar or refrigerator. They are stored at a cool temperature of +2-6 °C and in the absence of sunlight. Humidity should be moderate - up to 70%.
Conclusion
The benefits of zucchini juice have been well studied. The product can be used when following a diet, for patients with diabetes and other chronic pathologies. This is a healthy drink that tones the body and saturates it with vitamins and other valuable substances.