Raw zucchini are the healthiest. Can they be eaten raw and how correctly

Date of publication: December 24, 2020.

Zucchini is a vegetable that is grown by almost every Russian summer resident. Despite the fact that its taste is not pronounced enough, it has a huge number of fans.

There are a lot of recipes for various dishes with zucchini, they can satisfy even the most critical gourmet.

Zucchini is most often consumed not raw, but stewed or fried. Some people like to bake zucchini in the oven or stove. In almost any form, zucchini is considered an excellent dietary product.

They will not only suit your table, but will also have a beneficial effect on the figure and the body as a whole.

In Tibetan medicine, zucchini is believed to strengthen the body. Many also attribute them to properties that help fight the development of cancer.

What are the types of zucchini

Today there are many varieties and types of zucchini. They are classified by the ripening period, by the type of origin, by the method of planting and by purpose.

The following varieties are ideal for the middle zone of the Russian Federation: "Karizma", "Beloplodny", "Skvorushka", "Chaklun". Vegetables are grown outdoors. Almost all the fruits of these varieties ripen gradually, that is, the harvest can be harvested the whole summer and autumn.

There are completely unusual varieties. For example "Spaghetti Raviolo". They have an unusual aroma and taste for zucchini. But outwardly they are no different from ordinary varieties. The inside of the fruit is very similar to spaghetti, hence the name of this variety. Another unique variety called Legendary Calabaza. This is a hybrid, the fruits of which are pear-shaped, and the plant itself resembles a liana. Their taste and aroma are ordinary, like all other zucchini.

Raw zucchini for those who are losing weight

Young zucchini are used for weight loss because they have important qualities:

• contain a minimum of calories;
• fill the stomach, creating a feeling of fullness;
• have a diuretic effect;
• cleanse the intestines.

This allows you to lose up to 2 kg in one fasting day on this vegetable. Its most severe version is 7-8 servings of food per day, each time you need to eat 200 g of zucchini in any form (raw, baked, stewed, but not fried).

It is better to practice a weekly squash diet more sparingly, replacing one of the main meals daily with 400-500 g of squash. Another way to lose weight is to cook almost all dishes with the addition of zucchini for 7 days. At the same time, it is allowed to eat protein products (lean meat, fish, dairy products). It can be:

• vegetable casserole with cottage cheese;
• chicken and zucchini soup;
• young fruits stuffed with lean meat or eggs with cheese;
• ragout from this variety of pumpkin with mushrooms, bell peppers;
• vegetable pancakes;
• raw pickled zucchini and all kinds of salads with fresh fruits.

Only sweets, flour and fat are prohibited. It is necessary to drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day, green tea, fermented milk drinks are allowed.

This approach will allow you to remove up to 5 extra pounds per week.

Composition and calorie content of zucchini

An interesting fact is that zucchini contains structured water, which has a positive effect on the digestive tract.It contains a huge assortment of vitamins, these are B1 and B2, A, PP and C.

The vegetable is rich in titanium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, sulfur, magnesium, molybdenum and other chemical elements. Fiber and dietary fiber contained in fruits have a good effect on metabolic processes, stimulate the elimination of toxins and have a slight diuretic effect.

The calorie content of the product is very low - only 16-24 kcal. The fruits are completely free of fat and cholesterol.

Possible harm and contraindications

Not everyone can eat raw zucchini. Their use without heat treatment is contraindicated:

• babies under 5 years old, so as not to provoke malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract;
• people who are allergic to all pumpkin crops;
• patients with ulcers, with exacerbation of gastritis, since the product can increase acidity;
• with kidney disease due to a pronounced diuretic effect.

A warning

You should not abuse raw zucchini and especially eat them on an empty stomach, otherwise there may be heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea.

General benefits of zucchini

Zucchini is the most valuable product for the human body. They help to improve the condition with the following problems:

• hypertension;
• arthritis and gout;
• in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases;
• good for the liver and kidneys;
• used to remove radionuclides;
• accelerate the process of elimination of toxins in case of poisoning.

The list of useful properties can be endless. But the most interesting thing is that the vegetable is an anti-allergenic product. Helps to cope with the manifestations of cellulite and is used in dietary nutrition.

The benefits of zucchini for women

The beneficial substances contained in zucchini stimulate the work of the ovaries and have a positive effect on reproductive function. With regular use of the vegetable, you can avoid the appearance of many problems with the pelvic organs.

It will also be beneficial during menopause. It is a prophylactic against cycle failures and relieves pain during menstruation.

Many women suffer from varicose veins, so they need to include zucchini in their diet. They help to increase the elasticity of blood vessels and strengthen them.

Is it possible for various diseases

Usually fried foods, even if they are the most useful zucchini, are not recommended for gastrointestinal diseases.

With pancreatitis

• Acute period. Like most foods, zucchini should not be consumed during an exacerbation of this disease. However, after the acute pains subside, under the supervision of doctors, they are carefully introduced into the patient's menu. Zucchini is one of those rather few vegetables that do not contain essential oils and coarse fiber that irritate the pancreas, and at the same time are easily absorbed by the intestines. Steamed or baked vegetables are thoroughly ground until smooth and eaten, starting with 1 tbsp. l. For a week, the portion size is brought to 100 g.
• With chronic pancreatitis. Patients with chronic pancreatitis can and should diversify their menu with dishes from boiled, stewed or baked zucchini. It is better to refuse pickled, fried vegetables. You should not use fresh zucchini with this disease.

Benefits for type I and type II diabetes

The composition of the zucchini makes it a welcome guest on the menu of a person suffering from diabetes. Let's start with the fact that the carbohydrate content in it is minimal (only 4.6 per 100 g). But this is not the main advantage of zucchini in this disease. The already mentioned absence of essential oils and coarse fiber allows not to overload the pancreas, which is already unable to cope with the production of insulin. The high content of potassium and tartronic acid in zucchini strengthens blood vessels, allowing you to delay such a serious complication as retinopathy.

For gastritis with high or low acidity

With this disease, there are some restrictions on the use of zucchini. If gastritis proceeds with increased secretion of gastric juice, then you should not include fresh vegetables in the menu. Since sparing food is needed during an exacerbation, pickled and fried zucchini are also excluded. But dishes with stewed or steamed vegetables can be safely included in your diet.

With gout

Your choice is boiled vegetables
Zucchini is one of the healthiest vegetables for gout. First, they promote the elimination of excess uric acid, which is the cause of this disease. Secondly, in terms of its composition, zucchini fits perfectly into the diet of such patients. They are advised to limit their protein intake, but in zucchini, their number is very small. And even the fact that 96% of its composition is water also has certain advantages, because the volume of fluid consumed in this disease needs to be increased. Zucchini for gout is best used boiled or stewed and do not forget about the restriction of table salt - it is better if the dishes are not salted.

In the treatment of stomach ulcers

Zucchini will also be useful in the diet of a stomach ulcer patient. Pectins in their composition will protect irritated mucous membranes and help scarring ulcers, and the antitumor properties of this vegetable will come in handy. But you need to remember that zucchini must be cooked. With an ulcer, they can only be used stewed or boiled.

For diseases of the stomach and intestines, it is best to use stewed or boiled zucchini.

The benefits of zucchini for men

An interesting fact is that zucchini are real male vegetables. The iron contained in them allows you to maintain normal testosterone levels and maintain men's health for as long as possible.

In eastern countries, on the basis of the flowers of the plant, medicines are made to improve potency.

The vegetable is an ideal remedy in the prevention of atherosclerosis, the appearance of heart pathologies and hypertension. Regular consumption of the fruit helps to speed up the process of removing toxins from the body.

Beneficial features

Thanks to the ideal "summer" vitamin and mineral composition, zucchini have a wide range of therapeutic effects. What can I say if this vegetable is one of the few that can be consumed by people with various chronic and acute diseases. However, this product is most effective for such ailments as:

• arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease, as well as hypertension and other vascular diseases;
• diseases of the intestines and stomach and after operations on these organs;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system (gout, arthrosis and arthritis);
• ailments of the genitourinary system and swelling;
• diabetes;
• low hemoglobin;
• to remove radionuclides and harmful cholesterol from the body;
• as an antiallergic natural medicine;
• as an agent against parasites (helminths);
• for the treatment of constipation in pregnant women;
• to strengthen the immune system;
• with diseases of the gallbladder and liver (for example, dyskinesia or cholecystitis);
• with impaired water-salt metabolism;
• with cellulite and psoriasis;
• with obesity;
• in case of poisoning;
• against sunburn (fresh juice is used);
• to increase male potency;
• with children's diathesis;
• to improve blood microcirculation of the scalp and face.

Benefits for men

Zucchini has long been considered a "male" vegetable. After all, the high content of iron in them is able to restore the optimal blood composition, maintaining the health of the "stronger" sex and ensuring the natural production of the hormone testosterone.

Interesting fact: in some countries of the East, there are many official preparations for increasing male desire, which are prepared on the basis of zucchini flowers.

The inclusion of this product in the menu is especially recommended for elderly and middle-aged men. Indeed, it is during this period that the following are relevant as actual health problems:

• swelling;
• atherosclerosis;
• hypertension;
• pathology of the heart.

In addition, the benefits of zucchini for men's health are expressed in maintaining the correct functioning of the liver and from stagnation of bile, which quite often can be observed after gatherings with a "barbecue" in the garage. It is worth noting that since these fruits are composed mostly of water, they are best supplemented with other vitamin foods. For example, fragrant dill, the benefits and harms of which we described in the article at the link!

Benefits for women

Recent studies from the Canadian Institute of Health have shown that today, rarely any female body does not need a unique composition of zucchini. This particular product is considered ideal for use during breastfeeding.

Every woman needs to know: Brown rice: benefits and harms to the body

This vegetable is recommended, first of all, for women of elderly and "Balzac" age, who more often than others face joint diseases, hypertension, as well as fluid retention and gastrointestinal ailments.

If you have a tendency to gain excess weight, hormonal imbalances during menopause and skin problems - often cook contented or fried zucchini! In home and official cosmetology, the juice and pulp of this vegetable is quite often used to reduce gray hair and fading curls, as well as to effectively combat cellulite. This product is also very good as ingredients for various folk masks.

Slimming

Due to its scanty calorie content and low GI (glycemic index), zucchini is considered one of the best vegetables for gaining and maintaining an ideal figure. In addition, this product will allow you to increase your portions without gaining extra calories!

Culinary masterpieces that can be prepared in just half an hour from these vegetables can naturally remove harmful cholesterol, excess fluid and salt from your body. Thus, eating deliciously, you will feel a surge of strength and energy after a week!

Zucchini juice has a wide range of preventive and medicinal properties, effectively combating hypertension, gout, arthrosis and arthritis. Drink juice daily from one glass to five. You can also drink fresh zucchini juice diluted in equal proportions with water, adding a little mint, lemon juice or honey to such fresh juice.

Important information: it is not recommended to drink squash juice with stones in the gall bladder or kidneys.

And you can also eat raw zucchini! The health benefits and harms of this dish have long been considered by vegetarians and raw foodists, who have come to the conclusion that eating half a kilogram of raw vegetable puree can not only cleanse the intestines, but also restore the elasticity of blood vessels. In addition, this dish is an excellent fat burner!

Recently, the world's nutritionists have started talking about the benefits of raw zucchini salads for fighting obesity and restoring metabolic processes in the body.

Useful video:

Benefits for pregnant women

As we already mentioned, the use of zucchini while carrying a child is not only not prohibited, but also welcomed by doctors. Dishes made from this vegetable are able to relieve the expectant mother of puffiness, increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, raise hemoglobin, and completely restore the composition of the blood. Such food is excellent for digestive problems in pregnant women, which often bother them in the second half of the term. In addition, the substances that make up the squash pulp do not allow a woman to gain excess weight, regulate blood pressure (blood pressure) and protect her nervous system from stress.

Do not forget about this product even after the birth of your baby! After all, it is zucchini that is considered one of the best vegetables for the first feeding for a baby during lactation.

Important information: however, pregnant women should not eat these dishes in case of kidney failure and high acidity of the stomach!

Is it possible zucchini for children

In childhood, zucchini is very useful. They have a supportive effect on the immune system, fill the body with energy. Carotene and vitamin B contained in fruits have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole body and prevent frequent colds.

Zucchini is used for early feeding. It is quickly absorbed, and there is practically no risk of allergies. For complementary feeding, the fruits are boiled and ground to a mushy state. After meals, give breast milk or other milk formulas.

The optimal age for introducing the product into the diet is 5-6 months from birth.

Consumption rates

There is no limit to the number of zucchini eaten per day. So, an adult without much harm to health can eat up to 1.5 kilograms of this vegetable daily. Of course, we are talking about people who do not have diseases of the stomach and intestines. Zucchini juice should also be limited to a maximum of 1 liter per day.

During pregnancy

While carrying a baby, zucchini is almost an ideal product, as it serves as a kind of prevention of anemia and pressure surges, which often occur in the first months. Zucchini will be very useful in the third trimester. It is during this period that women suffer from edema and often gain extra pounds. The low calorie content (only 24 kcal) and the diuretic properties of this vegetable help to solve both of these problems. And do not forget about the ability of zucchini to cope with constipation, which also often occurs in pregnant women in recent weeks.

However, no matter how useful this vegetable is, it must be borne in mind that the protein content in it is very low, and for good nutrition it is necessary to combine it with lean meat or fish. Also, when drawing up the menu, in order to make the dishes more satisfying, you can use more high-calorie foods as companions - potatoes, beans, eggplants.

When breastfeeding: are nursing mothers allowed

Zucchini in any form works great on the stomach and intestines, without causing any unpleasant phenomena in the form of increased gas formation, so they can be safely included in the menu of a nursing mom. This product will not harm either herself or the baby.

Video: Vegetable stew with zucchini in a slow cooker

Is it possible for children as the first baby food

Of all the beneficial properties of zucchini for baby food, the most important is its hypoallergenicity. This vegetable very rarely causes food intolerances, even in children prone to diathesis or atopic dermatitis. That is why doctors recommend using zucchini for the first feeding.

As a rule, it is administered at 6 months, but according to individual indications (if the mother does not have enough milk or the baby suffers from frequent constipation), this period can be postponed to 4-4.5 months. Complementary feeding begins with mashed zucchini without adding salt. It is administered in 0.5 tsp. in the morning feeding. In this case, you need to carefully monitor any changes in the condition of the baby. If everything goes well, then each day the portion is increased slightly. After the baby gets used to mashed zucchini, his menu can be diversified with other vegetables, cereals or fruits.

If, after the introduction of zucchini into the menu, a rash appears or the stool is disturbed, then they are canceled and they try to use it again after a 1-2-week break. If this experience also ends in failure, then the introduction of zucchini in the menu is postponed for up to a year.A one-year-old child can already be given zucchini not only in soups, but also as main courses. However, it is better to exclude pickled and fried zucchini from the children's diet. Due to the high fat content, you should not give them squash caviar.

Zucchini are the first vegetables that are introduced into the child's diet.

How to take zucchini medicinally

Zucchini juice is very useful for eliminating problems with the digestive tract. It helps to restore water-salt balance and helps to remove toxins from the body.

Regular consumption of juice will prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases and reduce the amount of dense cholesterol, which is rather difficult to excrete from the body.

Zucchini juice is very useful during pregnancy. It contains the optimal amount of folic acid, which has a beneficial effect on the development of the fetus and, in general, helps to restore the woman's strength.

Contraindications for use

For all its usefulness, zucchini can be dangerous for people with kidney disease. If the process of removing potassium from the body is disturbed, then the use of zucchini is contraindicated.

With irritable bowel syndrome, with ulcers and gastritis in acute conditions, this vegetable should be excluded from the diet, since it will provoke an exacerbation of the disease.

Overeating can disrupt the acid-base balance in the gastrointestinal tract, cause heartburn, nausea, sharp cuts in the stomach and intestines.

Also, do not use it for individual intolerance.

Zucchini application in cosmetology

Masks and lotion are made from the vegetable to eliminate the increased fat content of the skin. It is suitable for sensitive skin. Means from zucchini pulp, have a beneficial effect on the regeneration of the skin, have an anti-inflammatory effect and eliminate fine wrinkles.

With zucchini you can get rid of acne and improve the color of the skin. It helps to eliminate pigmentation and even freckles.

Zucchini is widely used to prepare anti-cellulite products, both externally and internally. Juices are made from the pulp, which help to eliminate the "orange" peel.

Vegetables can be used for hair. Masks are made from it that prevent hair loss.

Squash diet

With the help of this vegetable, it is quite possible to lose those extra pounds. In addition, the zucchini diet is also beneficial in material terms (you must admit that in the summer it is a fairly affordable product). Another plus of such a diet is its variety. Zucchini goes well with many products, and there are even more ways to prepare them. The diet can continue from a week to a month, during which the basis of the diet is zucchini in a variety of variations. These can be stews, steamed or baked. Young zucchini can be eaten fresh or made salads based on them. Since fresh zucchini contains only 24 kcal, you don't have to worry about the calorie content of dishes with it.

In addition to various vegetables, it is recommended to introduce low-fat varieties of fish and poultry, low-calorie milk and dairy products, eggs, greens into the diet. It is better to limit salt, but to strengthen the drinking regime (you need to drink at least 2.5 liters per day) Also, during the diet, the following foods are excluded from the diet:

• pasta and bakery products;
• potatoes;
• fatty and smoked products;
• sugar;
• alcohol;
• pickles;
• coffee.

For cooking, it is best to use young vegetables, the skin from which can not be cut off, since the main supply of vitamins is located in it. It is also better to keep the heat treatment of food to a minimum. The number of meals with such a diet should be five times a day.

Here are some examples of dishes that you can adopt.

Stewed zucchini with vegetables for weight loss

In the summer, such a dish will be very economical and healthy.
The calorie content of 100 g of the finished dish is 36 kcal.

• 1 medium zucchini;
• 1 onion;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 sweet pepper;
• 2 tomatoes;
• 1 tbsp. l. flour;
• 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
• salt, pepper, spices to taste.

Zucchini is cut into small cubes, onions, carrots and peppers are cut into strips. Fry onions and carrots in a deep frying pan, add pepper with zucchini and a little hot water to them, cover with a lid and, stirring, stew for 5 minutes.

Tomatoes are poured over with boiling water, peeled and chopped. Flour in a dry frying pan is fried until light yellow, slightly diluted with water and mixed with tomatoes and spices. The resulting filling is added to the stewed vegetables, salted, brought to a boil and allowed to brew for 10 minutes under the lid.

Zucchini and pepper omelet

It is not forbidden to add tomatoes to the omelet
Caloric content per 100 g - 68 kcal

• Half a medium zucchini;
• 1 sweet pepper;
• 4 eggs;
• 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
• salt, spices to taste.

Zucchini is cut into medium slices, salted and for 5 minutes. placed in the microwave (maximum power). Pepper is cut into strips, fried in hot oil and zucchini is added to it. Beat eggs a little together with spices, pour into a frying pan, stir a little, cover with a lid and bring to readiness over low heat.