10 Amazing Health Benefits of Celery
Celery is a crunchy, savory green vegetable
that is most often looked at as diet food. However, it contains so many
minerals, vitamins, and other healthy compounds that you should be
looking to snack on it no matter what your body frame looks like. Here
are 10 great health benefits of the humble celery.
1. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Eating celery every day can reduce
artery-clogging cholesterol known as LDL or bad cholesterol. The
phthalides present in this herb also help to stimulate the secretion of
bile juices, which work to reduce cholesterol levels. Less cholesterol
means less plaque on artery walls and a general improvement in heart
health. Furthermore, the fiber that is found in it also works to scrape
the cholesterol out of the bloodstream and eliminate it from the body in
regular bowel movements, further boosting cardiovascular health.
2. Reduces Blood Pressure
Phthalides can help to lower the levels of stress hormones in your
blood. This allows your blood vessels to expand, giving your blood more
space to move, thereby decreasing your blood pressure. Celery also
contains potassium, which is a vasodilator, meaning it also helps to
reduce blood pressure. When blood pressure is reduced, it puts less
stress on the entire cardiovascular system and decreases the chances of
you developing atherosclerosis or suffering from a stroke or heart
attack.
3. Decreases Arthritis Pain
Celery is great for those who suffer from arthritis, gout, and
rheumatism. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce
swelling and pain around the joints. It also acts as a diuretic, which
helps remove uric acid crystals that build up around the body’s joints
that can cause pain and discomfort.
4. Prevents Urinary Tract Infections
Due to its diuretics properties, celery seeds help in the elimination of
uric acid. Therefore, celery is good for those with kidney problems,
bladder disorders, cystitis, and other similar conditions.
5. Prevents Cancer
Celery contains flavonoids, phthalides, and polyacetylenes, which are
all cancer-fighting components. It also contains coumarins, which
enhance the activity of certain white blood cells that can stave off
cancer as well. These antioxidant components seek out free radicals and
neutralize them before they can cause cancer.
6. Boosts the Immune System
Celery, due to the fact that it’s rich in vitamin C and antioxidants,
greatly boosts the immune system and makes it more active and efficient.
Eating this vitamin C rich vegetable can reduce your risk of catching a
cold, as well as protect you against a number of other diseases.
7. Relieves Migraines
The presence of coumarins can provide relief from migraines. The exact
reason why isn’t completely understood, but it’s thought that it helps
to suppress the release of nitric oxide from the brain, which causes
headaches and migraines.
8. Prevents Cataracts
Dripping celery tea drops on your eyelids is great for certain
ophthalmological conditions and can improve your eye health, reducing
your chances of developing cataracts and protecting against macular
degeneration.
9. Weight Loss
Drinking celery juice regularly before meals can help you lose weight.
It’s very low in calories and it’s also filling due to its high fiber
content. Therefore, it can help to reduce the tendency to overeat and
help you keep your weight down.
10. Regulates Fluid Balance
Celery is full of the minerals sodium and potassium, both of which help
to regulate the fluid balance in the body.
Word of caution: The seeds of this vegetable contain flavonoids,
volatile oils, coumarins, and linoleic acid, and therefore not suitable
for pregnant women as they may cause contractions in the uterus.