Healthy Low Calorie Recipes:
Cucumber Mint Soup

Cucumbers in healthy low calorie recipes aid weight loss and help to hydrate the body. This chilled soup is especially refreshing in the summer, when high temperatures encourage sweating, and thus loss of essential water from the body. The water content of cucumbers is quite high, so it will help to keep you hydrated. Cucumbers are also high in fiber and the mineral silica, an important element in healthy muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. The ascorbic acid and caffeic acid in cucumbers have a diuretic effect, helping to eliminate excessive water retention.

When shopping for cucumbers, try to find those that are not coated with wax. Wax is added to many conventionally grown cucumbers to help protect them during transport, but it must be removed before eating, so you lose some important nutrients by peeling the skin. A good cucumber will be firm, and a medium- to dark-green color, without any soft spots.

The health benefits of mint have been known for centuries. It is especially good for digestion, helping to soothe a sore stomach and reducing the discomfort of those with irritable bowel syndrome due to its ability to relax the smooth muscles in the digestive tract. The phytonutrient it contains, perillyl alcohol, has been shown in animal studies to help prevent the development of skin, colon and lung cancer. Mint inhibits the growth of a variety of bacteria and fungi and is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C and mnaganese.

The leaves of fresh mint should be a vibrant green color and free from yellowing or dark spots. Store them in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag that is closed loosely. Fresh mint for your healthy low calorie recipes should keep well for several days stored in this way.