Cheap and commercially available, this green vegetable should be your ideal ally.
When you do sports, hydrating yourself and, above all, doing it well, is the most important thing, otherwise you will not perform very well and even have a lot of difficulty managing recovery. To facilitate this, a green vegetable, far from being the most expensive (even if every expense has a cost), is ideal.
Often appreciated for its freshness, it is particularly beneficial for athletes due to its very high water content. Made up of approximately 95% water, it is a very important source of hydration. However, good hydration is essential for recovery and prevention of muscle cramps. And this long vegetable helps compensate for the loss of fluids due to intense sweating during workouts. Beyond hydration, this green vegetable is very low in calories and helps regulate their nutrition, for those who wish.
Generally speaking, there are 10 kcal per 100 grams. Another advantage of the vegetable is its richness in vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, as well as vitamin K, essential for bone health and blood clotting. Potassium and magnesium present in low amounts may also play a key role in regulating muscle function.
The name of this vegetable? It’s obviously the cucumber! Although not rich in fiber, it contains enough to promote healthy digestion and helps avoid post-exercise cravings. The ease of digestion of cucumber therefore makes it a wise choice before training. Unlike some heavy foods, it does not weigh down the stomach, allowing you to train without feeling like you are dragging yourself to the gym. Know, for the little extra thing, that the digestion of cucumber is improved by peeling it, mixing it, seeding it. Soaking it in a little salt also makes the job much easier.
Whether in salad, smoothie or snack, cucumber is a perfect ally for those who want to maximize their performance and sports recovery. And if you still want to be convinced by the benefits, thanks to its nutrients, it would help fight against the multiplication of pancreatic cancer cells, it would limit the risks of ovarian, breast, endometrial and prostate cancer, and is also very good for the skin thanks to its moisturizing and healing properties.