We live in a world that provides many different options when it comes to the foods we can eat. Making the right decisions will not only allow you to have something delicious in front of you, but it will also benefit your body in numerous ways as well. That is especially true when you choose a vegetable as part of your meal plan. People have been telling us to eat our vegetables for many years, and scientific research proves the fact that it is not only important to do so, it is vital for our good health.
One of the many different vegetables that we have available is celery. It is perhaps one of the simplest of all the vegetables, yet it has a lot of nutrition packed into each stock and is quite versatile when it comes to what it has to offer. You can even make it in multiple ways, regardless of whether you are smearing it with peanut butter or simply crunching on a stick between meals. It is full of anti-inflammatory benefits because of the powerful antioxidants it contains. It helps your muscles and cells to communicate, boost your immune system and repairs DNA damage throughout the body.
A cup of chopped celery (101 grams) provides:
6.2 calories
3.5 grams carbohydrates
0.7 grams protein
0.2 grams fat
1.6 grams fiber
29.6 micrograms vitamin K (37 percent DV)
36.5 micrograms folate (9 percent DV)
263 milligrams potassium (8 percent DV)
3.1 milligrams vitamin C (5 percent DV)
0.1 milligram manganese (5 percent DV)
0.1 milligram vitamin B6 (4 percent DV)
40.4 milligrams calcium (4 percent DV)
0.1 milligram riboflavin (3 percent DV)
11.1 milligrams magnesium (3 percent DV)
Celery also has a lot of vitamin E, niacin, pantothenic acid, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.
Rachael Link, MS, RD says that one of the most beneficial parts of celery is its antioxidant power. When a review was conducted in Iran, celery was shown to be an excellent source of antioxidants, including kaempferol, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, luteolin, and saponin.
The Journal Molecules included an animal study that showed the benefits overall of celery juice. Drinking it can prevent oxidative stress because it has such a high level of antioxidants. When lab rats were treated with Doxorybicin, the juice showed excellent results.
There have also been a number of studies that show the benefits of celery, including the following benefits:
Celery is 96% water, meaning that it keeps the body properly
hydrated
It regulates the pH balance of the body
It improves digestion and treats constipation and stomach
issues
Being rich in vitamin A, celery protects the cornea, treats dry
eyes, and improves vision
It is low in acids and prevents and treats heartburn and acid
reflux
It fights chronic inflammation in the body
It is rich in fiber, so it helps the process of weight
management
The high content of phthalide lowers blood sugar and cholesterol
levels
It reduces the risk of gastritis and gastric ulcers
It soothes the nervous system and improves sleep quality
Its diuretic properties help in the case of urinary tract
infections
When chewed, it gets broken into fibrous strands, which clean the
teeth like a natural dental floss
It is high in the male pheromones, androstenol, and androsterone,
so it acts as a natural aphrodisiac
It drastically improves male fertility and the count of sperm
How should you buy and store celery?
When purchasing celery, look for upright, sturdy stocks that snap when pressure is applied. The stock should not bend. They should have fresh, green and crisp leaves. The color may be different from one to another and can vary from pale to bright green. If the leaves are yellow or brown, you should avoid buying it. Don’t chop your salary until right before you cook it so the nutrients are preserved.
If you chopped celery a few hours before eating it, the nutrients will only be reduced. In order to retain flavor and nutrients, lightly steam the celery and eat it within a week to get the most benefit. You can also eat the leaves! Celery leaves contain a lot of potassium, calcium, and vitamin C. You should eat the leaves within the first two days after the celery is purchased.
Source: thehealthyfoodlife.com