One of the most unpopular and unwanted vegetables is celery. Despite its amazing benefits for losing weight, lowering cholesterol levels, detoxifying the body, and lowers arthritis pain, many people don’t consume celery as much as they should.
Celery is part of the Apiaceae family originating from the Mediterranean and North America. Now, it’s an integral part of certain cuisines and it’s cultivated globally.
Nutrients
Celery is packed with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, B, C, and K, as well as magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The main nutrients it contains are the phytonutrients which are plant chemicals used to ward off insects and damaging sun rays. They contain anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidants. It’s great to consume celery because it boosts the immune system and intracellular communication as well as repairing toxic damage to DNA. They are also proven to fight against heart diseases and cancer.
Weekly Benefits of Consuming Celery
If you consume celery every day during a week, you will see these results:
- Weight loss
- – because celery is low in calories and high in fiber, it will make you full without eating too much.
- Great hydrant
- – prevent dehydration by eating celery because it’s 95% water.
- Reducing inflammation
- – if you have a risk of contracting any kind of chronic inflammation such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, celery will help you battle them.
- Heartburn/acid reflux
- – battle acid reflux and heartburn with celery. It’s low in acidity and many people claim that it helped them a lot.
- Reduces cholesterol
- – many studies proved that celery reduces cholesterol by 7%.
- Improves digestion
- – because of the high fiber in celery, it is a great regulator for your bowel movements and keeping the intestines healthy.
- Keeps eyes healthy
- – The Vitamin A in celery helps protect the eye cornea and treating dry eyes.
- Blood pressure
- – celery can lower blood pressure by 18%.
- Repels mosquitoes
- – oil extract from celery is an amazing mosquito repellant.
How to Consume Celery
Celery can be consumed in many different ways from raw to cooked. You can even eat the leaves of celery.
- Appetizers
- – eat celery raw with some low-fat cream cheese and paprika powder.
- Soups
- – add the leaves in stuffing, soup, salad, and other cooked dishes instead of throwing them away. You can also add chopped celery into the soup.
- Celery and Spinach
- – if you want to make a spinach salad, combine it with cooked pasta, bell peppers, corn, shredded carrots, and diced celery. If you want, you can also add some low-fat salad dressing
- Tuna/Chicken Salad
- – make the perfect tuna/chicken salad using chopped celery, mayo/mustard, and the meat you prefer.
Sources:
fruitsandveggies.org