What is the difference between cucumber and zucchini?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “ What is the difference between cucumber and zucchini?”, discuss the nutrient composition, health benefits, preparation methods and shelf life of cucumber. We will also discuss the nutrient composition, health benefits, preparation methods and shelf life of zucchini.
What is the difference between cucumber and zucchini?
The difference between cucumber and zucchini is that zucchini has a wooden stem at one end while cucumber does not. Cucumbers are juicier, cooler, and crispier than zucchinis while zucchinis have a warm buttery sweet taste.
What is the nutrient composition of Cucumber?
Nutrient composition of cucumber is as follows:
90% of cucumber is water and is low in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and calories. However, it is rich in phytoconstituents. The main bioactive substance is known as cucurbitacins, which gives the cucumber its characteristic properties.
What are the health benefits of Cucumber?
Health benefits of cucumber include:
Cucumber has a significant therapeutic role in Ayurvedic medicine for the management of ageing and wrinkling skin. It is also used to reduce swelling under the eyes and to treat sunburns due to its cooling and soothing characteristics.
Cucumber is also used as a detoxifying agent. Many types of detoxifying diets have been formed based on cucumber. Other than that, it has a protective and preventive role against diabetes, microbes, cancer, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, and hyperlipidemia.
How to prepare cucumber?
Preparation methods include the following:
Cucumbers are usually used raw. However, they also can be cooked and eaten; for example in chicken and pasta. Cooking usually destroys and washes away all the water-soluble nutrients in cucumber.
Cucumber is also prepared in salads by peeling away the skin or it can also be consumed or prepared with skins. Skins of fruits do contain important nutrients which can be lost when the skins are peeled off.
Cucumbers are also used as a detoxifying agent and a source of weight loss when cut and added to water and consuming that water every day. This however is not backed by scientific evidence.
How long does a cucumber last?
Shelf life of cucumbers is two weeks when stored properly. Half cut cucumbers should be covered properly with a transparent sheet and stored. It is advisable to store cucumbers in refrigerators to preserve them for longer.
What is the nutrient composition of zucchini?
Nutrient Composition of zucchini is as follows:
Zucchini is a rich source of fibre and also contains a good amount of calcium and potassium. Zucchini contains 120 mg of water and is low in fat and calories. It also contains considerable amounts of folate.
What are the health benefits of Zucchini?
Health benefits of zucchini include:
To treat colds and aches, it acts as an antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammation, anti-viral, analgesic, and an antimicrobial agent. The high amounts of potassium makes it a good food source in diets for patients with hypertension and heart disease.
How to prepare zucchini?
Zucchini is mostly used in cooked form, by peeling, boiling in water, steaming, and adding spices. Zucchini can also be used raw in salads. As with other fruits, cooking for long periods may destroy the water-soluble micronutrients in zucchini thus losing its nutritional value.
Zucchini has been used with different types of meat, such as chicken, mutton and beef in the countries of SouthEast Asia such as India and Pakistan. The composite of zucchini and meat make it a good whole meal full of fibre, protein and micronutrients.
Cucumbers are soft to chew and are sometimes also advised to be consumed for people with gastric ulcers or issues of the gastrointestinal tract and mouth sores. They are also used in blends to make various shakes to reduce weight.
How long does a zucchini last?
Shelf life of zucchini is that raw, fresh and whole zucchini should be stored for 4-5 days max. Cooked zucchini however, should be stored in a freezer or a refrigerator and can be used for upto a week.
Other FAQs about Cucumber that you may be interested in.
Can you eat cucumber without cooking it?
How much cucumber should I eat?
How long does it take for a cucumber to grow after flowering?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “What is the difference between cucumber and zucchini?”, discussed the nutrient composition, health benefits, preparation methods and shelf life of cucumber. We also discussed the nutrient composition, health benefits, preparation methods and shelf life of zucchini.
If you have any questions or comments please let us know.
References
1. Mukherjee, P. K., Nema, N. K., Maity, N., & Sarkar, B. K. (2013). Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber. Fitoterapia, 84, 227-236.
2. Ben-Nun, L. (2019). Characteristics of Zucchini. Ben-nun, L., Ed.
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537869/
