Gherkin

Gherkin


Scientific Name: Cucumis sativa (Cucurbitaceae)





Gherkin is a common name for a pickled Cucumber or a variety of cucumber, usually 4-8 cm in length and commonly used to make pickles and salads.

• The Mexican sour gherkin is NOT a cucumber.
• They both belong to the same gourd family Cucurbitaceae and the gherkin is often called a miniature cucumber but they are from different cultivar groups, but only one species.














Plant Description


History


Types & Varieties


Mechanism of Action


Additional Information







Key Actions


Usable Parts


Directions of Preparation


Recommended Dosage


Its Active Constituents:

• Gherkin contain:

• It contain Fiber in large amounts.

• Large amounts of Water,

• Rich source of many Vitamins (such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C),

Minerals (such as Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, Silica) and various other nutrients.




Health Benefits of Gherkin



Anti-Aging

Anti-Aging


Gherkin contain Manganese which is crucial for the production of Collagen (a structural Protein) which promotes fast Wound healing and helps delay the onset of wrinkles by ensuring Skin structure and flexibility.

Vitamin C has been shown to affect immune function and development of age-related macular degeneration.




Foods & Bones

Bones

Bones


Gherkin contain Manganese which promotes Bone growth and prevents Bone loss. It contributes to healthy Bones as well as in converting macro-nutrients to Energy.

Calcium is essential for good health and a major mineral element of skeleton and teeth development.

• Presence of Calcium in Gherkin is beneficial to Bone and teeth as it makes them stronger.




Foods & Bones

Cancer Prevention

Cancer & Tumor Prevention





Foods & Cancer

Cardiovascular System

Cardiovascular System


Gherkin has a high content of Minerals (such as Potassium, Magnesium), helps in the lowering of blood pressure and is advised for High Blood Pressure patients.

Potassium helps maintain a healthy heart, ensures body Fluid balance and regulates blood pressure. Potassium balances or lowers Sodium levels, counteracting the harmful effects of excessive Sodium consumption and helps lower High Blood Pressure at the same time.

Magnesium helps lower High Blood Pressure, prevent heart attacks and is necessary for regulating the electrical activity of The Heart.

Calcium is necessary and helpful for the maintenance for normal blood pressure .

Vitamin C has been shown to decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease and plasma Ascorbic Acid concentration reduce mortality from all causes (including cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and Cancers) in men and women.




Foods & Cardiovascular System

Circulatory System

Circulatory System


Gherkin Potassium content relaxes both the nerves and muscles, supports blood circulation and nerve cell activity.

Potassium keeps cells healthy which helps the body’s cells work properly. Its by far one of the most health-friendly nutrients and is present in practically every cell of our body from where it ensures Fluid balance (a valuable body function).

Calcium supports hemostasis (the blood clotting process) and aids in blood clotting and other functions.

Vitamin C significantly reduces lead levels in the blood. It helps eliminate toxins from the blood, thus removing any dangerous amounts of lead.




Foods & Circulatory System

Detoxification

Detoxification


• Eating Gherkin regularly keep our body hydrated and temperature normal.

• It also helps to Flush out toxins form our system and make us feel rejuvenated.

• A diet rich in Potassium implies good blood pressure parameters and prevents liquid retention.




Foods & Detoxification

Diabetes

Diabetes


• Adequate Magnesium supplementation helps reduce insulin resistance and regulate type 2 Diabetes (keeping it under control) due to the capacity of the mineral to regulate glucose (sugar) levels.




Foods & Diabetes

Digestive System

Digestive System


Gherkin contain Fiber in large amounts, which benefits our Digestive System health and saves us from many health problems related to it.

Manganese activates special enzymes necessary for proper digestion and synthesis of Carbohydrates, fatty acids and Cholesterol.




Foods & Digestive System

Energy

Energy


Gherkin Manganese content ensures elevated Energy levels and efficiently contributes or aids in converting Proteins and fats to Energy, thus combating tiredness, low blood sugar levels and mood swings.




Foods & Energy

Eye

Eye


Vitamin A is essential for a healthy Eye/vision and protection of macular degeneration.

Retinol maintains the Cornea and helps keep Eyes healthy as it converts light Energy into nerve impulses that enable vision.




Foods & Eye

Immune System

Immune System


Gherkin Vitamins and Minerals contents helps to strengthen our body defense system by increasing our immunity (helps in making your Immune System stronger and allows you to Fight against many types of diseases).

Vitamin C is a potent anti-oxidant for immunity and essential for good health, being an incredibly powerful natural anti-oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and anti-bacterial.

Vitamin C-rich foods help the body recover its provisions of Vitamin E (another potent anti-oxidant).

Manganese is part of the superoxide dismutase enzyme (a sort of innate anti-oxidant protection of the body), hence it protects against free radical damage due to its potent anti-oxidant properties as it also helps activate superoxide dismutase (an important anti-oxidant enzyme) and stimulates immunity.

Vitamin A is an Infection resistance and Immune System boosting vitamin which can significantly protect against some of the immune-depressing effects of radiation and Cancer chemotherapy.




Foods & Immune System

Infections

Infections


Vitamin A reinforces our body’s First line of defense, increases resistance to Infection and Fights free radicals.

• It helps create a barrier against bacteria and viruses by reinforcing our body’s First line of defense: mucous membranes (our Eyes, nose, throat, lungs and Digestive System are lined with mucous membranes).




Foods & Infections

Metabolism

Metabolism


Manganese supports Thyroid activity and promotes Thyroid Hormone production (thyroxine) activity. This supports Bone and nerve development and increase Metabolism.

• It helps the body metabolize nutrients such as Vitamins and Choline.

• It plays a crucial part in the synthesis of fatty acids and Cholesterol, maintains healthy blood sugar levels and supports the activity of the Thyroid Gland.

Magnesium is usually associated with Minerals (such as Calcium and Potassium) to increase there absorption and also necessary for reactions in Vitamin D Metabolism.

• It supports Energy Metabolism and Protein synthesis.

Vitamin C increases intestinal absorption of non-heme Iron by either reducing Iron from the ferrous ionic state to ferric state (in its capacity as an electron donor) or by forming a soluble complex with the Iron in the alkaline pH of the small intestine.




Foods & Metabolism

Musculoskeletal System

Musculoskeletal System


Potassium relaxes both the nerves and muscles and as an electrolyte, it ensures the body has enough Water in and out of cells to conduct electrical impulses to neurons and muscles, resulting into the good functioning of both nerve cells and muscles.

Magnesium promotes strong, healthy Bones and Bone cell activity because it maximizes Calcium absorption, thus helps strengthen Bones, maintain healthy teeth and even improves severe medical conditions (such as Osteoporosis).

Calcium is necessary for nerve transmission as it regulates the activity of the nervous by ensuring accurate muscle contractions (prevents Eye twitching, muscle spasms, tingling or numbness in both the upper and lower limbs).

Gherkin is good for our muscle health due to its Silica content which is very important for our body as it keeps our muscles strong, repairs the connectivity tissues, Tendons and ligaments.

• It helps in the effective functioning of all types of connective tissues, including Tendons, ligaments and muscles.




Foods & Musculoskeletal System

Oral & Dental

Oral & Dental


Gherkin Vitamin C content helps heal cuts and Wounds and keep teeth and Gums healthy.




Foods & Dental

Pregnancy

Pregnancy


Vitamin A sustains Bone growth and development. Its important for embryonic development (healthy babies) as it helps them grow and develop normally and have good immunity.




Foods & Pregnancy

Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health


Manganese is essential for human survival as it supports Reproductive function and maintain a healthy Reproductive System.

• A deficiency can lead to numerous health problems such as fertility problems.

• It can increase fertility and maintain a healthy Reproductive System, because it is involved in the formation of Reproductive Hormones. In addition to this, a good intake is recommended during Pregnancy and after birth to help with lactation.




Foods & Reproductive Health

Respiratory System

Respiratory System


Vitamin C is beneficial in protecting against Respiratory symptoms associated with Asthma and wheezing symptoms in children and a popular natural remedy for Colds and Coughs.




Foods & Respiratory System

Skin Health

Skin Health


Gherkin Vitamin C content is good for the body (both internally and externally) and especially the Skin which it helps to cure many Skin disorders.

• Its juice can be normally applied to the Skin to improve its tone as well as getting rid of sun tan.

Vitamin C (a co-factor in Collagen synthesis) supports and stimulates Collagen production, helping us look fresh, young and radiant.

Gherkin helps to alleviate any Skin inflammations and makes it Skin glow.

Magnesium is an essential trace mineral needed for healthy Skin, Bone, cartilage formation and glucose tolerance.

Vitamin A is vital for Skin cell renewal, healthy epithelial tissues and mucous membranes.

• It helps keep Skin Healthy by protecting it against Infections, working together to improve rough Skin and maintaining the integrity of epithelial cells, which occur in the Eye, Respiratory tract, Genitourinary Tract, and intestinal tract.




Foods & Skin Health

The Brain & Nervous System

The Brain & Nervous System


Manganese maintains/improves Nervous System function and promotes the health of nerve cells, improves nerve-muscle coordination and nervous cells recovery and overall cognition.

• It also ensures the good functioning of the Nervous System (brain mineral).

Magnesium improves sleep quality as it helps treat Panic Attacks, Anxiety and stress-related psychological conditions.




Foods & Nervous System

Weight Management

Weight Management





Foods & Weight Management







The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Gherkin


The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)

(per 100g) of

Gherkin



Best Rated For:

Water (g) – 94.08 (-)
0.00%
Energy (2,000.21 Kcal) – 11 (Trace)
0.55%
Protein (90.56g) – 0.33 (Trace)
0.36%
Total Fat (53.27g) – 0.2 (Trace)
0.38%
Ash (g) – 3.13 (-)
0.00%
Carbohydrate (279.66g) – 2.26 (Trace)
0.81%
Total Dietary Fiber (17.1g) – 1.2 (Trace)
7.02%
Total Sugars (g) – 1.06 (-)
0.00%
Calcium (663mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Iron (11.58mg) – 0.4 (Trace)
3.45%
Magnesium (275.4mg) – 4 (Trace)
1.45%
Phosphorus (1,143mg) – 14 (Trace)
1.22%
Potassium (2,499mg) – 23 (Trace)
0.92%
Sodium (2,160mg) – 1208 (Rich)
55.93%
Zinc (13.5mg) – 0.02 (Trace)
0.15%
Copper (2.22mg) – 0.085 (Trace)
3.83%
Manganese (3.51mg) – 0.011 (Trace)
0.31%
Selenium (24.90µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin C [Ascorbic Acid] (99mg) – 1 (Trace)
1.01%
Vitamin B1 [Thiamin] (0.96mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin] (1.08mg) – 0.01 (Trace)
0.93%
Vitamin B3 [Niacin] (10.44mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin B5 [Pantothenic Acid] (4.5mg) – 0.038 (Trace)
0.84%
Vitamin B6 [Pyridoxine] (1.59mg) – 0.009 (Trace)
0.57%
Total Folate (µg) – 1 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin B9 [Folate/Folic Acid] (240µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Food Folate (µg) – 1 (-)
0.00%
Dietary Folate Equivalents (µg) – 1 (-)
0.00%
Total Choline (474mg) – 3.6 (Trace)
0.76%
Vitamin B12 [Cyanocobalamin] (2.4µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin A [Retinol] (2,207.79IU) – 191 (Trace)
8.65%
Vitamin A [Retinol] (663µg RAE) – 10 (Trace)
1.51%
Vitamin A [Retinol] (663µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Alpha-Carotene ([estimated] 7,956µg) – 20 (Trace)
0.25%
Beta-Carotene ([estimated] 3,978µg) – 81 (Trace)
2.04%
Beta-Cryptoxanthin ([estimated] 7,956µg) – 47 (Trace)
0.59%
Lycopene ([estimated] 19,890µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Lutein + Zeaxanthin ([estimated] 22,873.5µg) – 43 (Trace)
0.19%
Vitamin E [Alpha-Tocopherol] (6.6mg) – 0.09 (Trace)
1.36%
Vitamin D [Cholecalciferol] (4.44µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin D [Cholecalciferol] (177.6IU) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin K [Phylloquinone] (51µg) – 47 (Rich)
92.16%
Saturated Fatty Acid (7.02g) – 0.052 (Trace)
0.74%
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (15.6g) – 0.003 (Trace)
0.02%
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (24.9g) – 0.081 (Trace)
0.33%
Cholesterol (300mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vitamin B8 [Biotin] (51µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Chromium (30µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Fluorine (3.51mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Iodine (131.4µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Molybdenum (50.1µg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Chloride (2,061mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Polyunsaturated Fats [Omega-6] (g) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Polyunsaturated Fats [Omega-3] (g) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Boron (17.4mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Nickel (0.9mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%
Vanadium (1.02mg) – 0.00 (-)
0.00%