Celery is an herbaceous plant in the Apiaceae family, including parsley. It is gaining popularity in the health community. It has long been used to add flavor to soups and stocks. But, according to the findings of some studies, it has therapeutic potential. It can lower blood sugar levels and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, there is a start movement for celery juice, whose supporters say it can treat skin irritations, help people lose weight, and clean the body.
Celery is now grown worldwide but may have come from the Mediterranean or North Africa. When celery is finely chopped and sautéed with onions, it can be used as a base for soups and stews. When raw, it is also tasty in salads, dips, peanut butter, and juices.
Overview of Celery and its health benefits
Celery is a low-calorie vegetable that is high in nutrients and antioxidants. Because it can reduce inflammation, it may also help decrease the risk of chronic illnesses like cancer and heart disease.
Health Benefits of Celery
1. Prevents Inflammation
Celery has antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and fight viruses. It also has luteolin, which can stop brain tissue from becoming inflamed. Research shows that celery extract may also help relieve pain and works in the same way as NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen. It could also protect against stomach damage caused by NSAIDs.
It also has a lot of flavonols, which can stop the activity of specific proteins that cause inflammation. In addition, a study on rats at King Saud University found that celery may prevent Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes gastritis, from growing.
2. Promotes nerve cells’ health and prevents memory loss
Apigenin, found in celery, helps nerves grow and develop and may also help keep neurons healthy. It also stops memory loss because it has L-3-n-butylphthalide in it. Celery extract is beneficial for treating Alzheimer’s disease and preventing it from starting.
A study from Jinan University in China found a link between luteolin, a flavonoid in celery, and a lower risk of memory loss that comes with age. Luteolin, a drug used to treat neuroinflammatory disorders, reduces inflammation in the brain. It could also help decrease the risk of nerve cells dying off. Apigenin is thought to help make new nerve cells, but the science needs to clarify.
3. Aids digestion
Celery is vital for the digestive system because it has nutrients that fight inflammation and free radicals. In addition, bacteria in the large intestine ferment the natural fiber in celery, which is good for digestive health. Celery also has insoluble fiber, which moves food quickly through the digestive system and keeps you from constipating. Even though there has yet to be much research done in this area, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may be suitable for digestion.
4. It helps to reduce weight.
Celery is a weight-loss-friendly vegetable because it is minimal in calories. It has long-lasting digestive fiber that makes you feel full, and the insoluble fiber in the vegetable can make you feel fuller and help you lose weight.
In addition, celery’s high water content may help you lose weight and maintain healthy lipid metabolism. You can also eat it with other, more energy-dense vegetables. It is a low-carb food that goes well with high-fat foods like cheese and nut butter. It also has a lot of vitamins and minerals that people on a ketogenic diet may need to get more of.
5. It may Lower Blood Pressure Levels.
It has been found that celery has phthalides, a plant chemical that relaxes the walls of arteries and improves blood flow. Also, stretching the smooth muscles in the blood vessels helps lower blood pressure. An Iranian study found that the vegetable’s ability to lower blood pressure was due to the same phytochemical.
Celery also has a lot of nitrates, which may help lower blood pressure. In traditional Chinese medicine, celery has often considered a “cool” food that could lower blood pressure. However, a different study says that pregnant women with high blood pressure in South Africa are given fresh celery juice and vinegar.
6. May Improve Sex Life
It may make sexual life better, androstenone and androstenol, two male hormones found in celery, are thought to make women more sexually aroused. A study on male rats also showed that celery extracts make sex better by increasing the number of sperm and the amount of testosterone made. However, more research is needed to be done to prove this effect.
7. May Aid in Diabetes Treatment
Flavones are antioxidants that can be found in celery. They may be able to lower blood sugar levels. Some experts say that the vitamin K in Celery may help fight diabetes. A study in Iran found that rats with diabetes can be treated with an extract from celery seeds. It is an example of a low-carb item that helps control and even reduce blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar that isn’t under control can cause health problems and put you at risk for diabetes.
8. May Boost Immunity
Celery has vitamin C, which may help your body fight off illness. Vitamin C is essential for many immune system cells to work well and avoid getting sick. Also, it has been found that taking vitamin C supplements raises the number of immunoglobulins in the blood, but this benefit needs more research to be fully understood.
9. It Might Support Heart Health
Celery contains flavonoids that help lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol, and fight inflammation. It also has vitamins and minerals that are good for your heart, like folate and vitamin K. It has a lot of potassium, fiber, and folate. People who eat a lot of vegetables have a lower risk of developing heart disease. It also has some natural sodium and a lot of polyphenols, which fight inflammation and are suitable for the heart.
10. Protects Eyesight
Potent antioxidants like the ones in celery can help stop the macular degeneration that comes with aging. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also included. These are two types of vitamin A, specific carotenoids that build up in the retina to protect it completely.
Uses of Celery
Because it is low in calories and fiber, celery is an excellent addition to a healthy diet and can help you control your weight.
A. Raw Celery
- Eaten as a snack
- Used in salads
- Added to smoothies
B. Cooked
- Added to soups and stews
- Used in stir-fries
- Roasted celery root
Conclusion
Celery is an herbaceous plant in the Apiaceae family that is becoming increasingly popular in the health community. Recent studies have shown that it can lower blood sugar levels and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in antioxidants, luteolin, flavonols, apigenin, insoluble fiber, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin. The capsules taken three times daily have lower blood sugar levels, but their insulin levels remain the same.