-The Healthy Vegetable

-By Royce K. Bailey MD

 

Celery became popular first as a medicine and then later as a food. Celery was found in King Tut’s tomb. Celery is mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. Celery is a crunchy vegetable that belongs to the Apiaceae family; the same plant family as carrots, parsley, fennel and caraway. Celery has 6 calories per eight inch stalk (one cup=19 calories).

Celery contains per cup-chopped: Calcium 48mg, folate 33.6, iron .48mg, magnesium 13.2mg, tryptophan .01grams, manganese .12 mg, phosphorous 30mg, potassium 344mg, vitamin A 160.8IU, vitamin B1 .06mg, vitamin B2 .05mg, vitamin B6 .10mg, vitamin C 8.4 mg, vitamin K 35.26 mcg, molybdenum 6mcg. Other contents of celery include: amino acids, boron, essential fatty acids, inositol, selenium, zinc, vitamin E, Vitamin B3 and vitamin B5. Celery is also high in fiber (2 grams of fiber/cup). It cleans your teeth and keeps your gums healthy. When wrapped in aluminum foil, the stalk will stay fresh for several weeks in the refrigerator.

The health benefits of celery include:

Lower blood pressure:

Celery contains a chemical (phthalides) that can lower levels of stress hormones in your blood. This allows blood vessels to expand, giving your blood more room, thereby reducing your overall pressure. Celery is known as a high sodium food but is not. One cup=100mg of sodium (Sodium allowance is 2400mg/day). Blend for 10 ounces and drink twice a day minimum.

Lower cholesterol:

Eating celery daily increases your bile acid production, which will reduce your artery-clogging cholesterol level. Cholesterol is in the bile and the more you eat, the lower your cholesterol will go.

Reduce Weight:

Celery is high in fiber; eating one to two stalks before meals fills you up and decreases the volume of food you consume. Drinking celery juice before meals will help you to reduce your weight also.

Antiseptic:

Celery seeds help in uric acid elimination. So, celery is good for people with bladder disorders, kidney problems and cystitis. Celery seeds also assist in avoiding urinary tract infection in women.

Constipation:

Celery increases bile acids in your small bowels which loosen your stools as well as adds fiber to eliminate constipation. Start with one stalk three times a day.

Arthritis:

Celery is good for people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and gout. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and pain around the joints. Celery sticks contain a diuretic substance, which help to remove uric acid crystals that build around joints.

Cancer:

Celery contains phthalides and polyacetylenes. These anti cancer components detoxify carcinogens and have been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Celery contains compounds called coumarins that help prevent free radicals from damaging your cells, thus decreasing the mutations that increase the potential for cells to become cancer. Coumarins also enhance the activity of certain white blood cells, immune defenders that target and eliminate potentially harmful cells, including cancer cells. Celery helps alkalinizes your body from the chronic acid loads we encounter in our environment and foods. Start with one stalk three times a day, working up to drinking blended celery 10 ounces twice daily as a minimum.

Boost immune system

: Celery is rich in vitamin C and will raise your body Ph to help boost your immune system.

Common Cold Relief:

Because of the presence of vitamin C and its alkaline base, eating celery can give you relief from flu symptoms.

Asthma

: Vitamin C prevents free radical damage and thus reduces the severity of inflammatory conditions like asthma.

Heart health:

Presence of vitamin C in the roots of celery promotes cardiovascular health. Celery acts as an antioxidant also.

Diuretic:

Celery is rich in both natural sodium and potassium. These minerals help in regulating fluid balance, thus stimulating urine flow.

Migraines:

Presence of coumarins gives relief from migraines. Drink two 10 ounce glasses of blended celery a day.

Diabetes:

Celery leaves are also eaten around the world for treating diabetic conditions.

Eye diseases:

Dripping celery tea drops on eyelids is good for ophthalmologic affectations.

Calms the nerves:

Because of celery’s high calcium content and tryptophan, celery calms your nerves.

All parts of the celery including the seeds, root and leaves, can be eaten. I have found celery stalks very soothing to my Crohn’s diseased gut. During my flares, celery is one of the only foods that doesn’t upset my bowels. I like it raw, in salads, soups, casseroles and with peanut and nut butters on it.

References:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=14

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-celery.html