Description

Armenian cucumbers are known by many names, such as snake cucumbers, snake melons, and yard-long cucumbers. Its unique coiled shape is the reason behind its various names.

While it appears somewhat like a cucumber inside, it is actually a variety of muskmelon. This mild-tasting, serpentine vegetable is edible. When sliced, it may give off a cantaloupe-like aroma.

Few foods are as cool as a cucumber. These low-calorie veggies contain many nutritional benefits, including hydrating properties and valuable nutrients.

While most people think of cucumbers as vegetables, they are actually a fruit. They contain seeds and grow from the ovaries of flowering plants. Cucumbers are members of the plant family Cucurbitaceae, which also includes squashes and melons. The most common type of slicing cucumber found in a grocery store is the garden cucumber, Cucumis sativus, according to World's Healthiest Foods. Nutritional profile

Cucumbers are good sources of phytonutrients (plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties) such flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits, according to World's Healthiest Foods.

The peel and seeds are the most nutrient-dense parts of the cucumber. They contain fiber and beta-carotene. Beta carotene is an antioxidant that helps with immunity, skin, eye and the prevention of cancer. Cucumber seeds are good source of minerals, and contained calcium.

Cucumbers are naturally low in calories, carbohydrates, sodium, fat and cholesterol. There are just 16 calories in a cup of cucumber with its peel (15 without). You will get about 4 percent of your daily potassium, 3 percent of your daily fiber and 4 percent of your daily vitamin C. They also provide small amounts of vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin A.