Celery is a vegetable, but also an aromatic herb. It gives an excellent aroma to many dishes and goes well with a thousand recipes.
Often underestimated, it boasts excellent health qualities, especially for the benefit of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
The many qualities of celery
Celery, thanks to its multiple properties, is an excellent food for health.
> It is composed of about 90% water and is diuretic and purifying .
> Contains lutein, an antioxidant useful above all for brain health, it seems, in fact, that this substance protects it from inflammatory states.
> It is quite rich in minerals . It contains mainly magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
> Contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and, to a lesser extent, B vitamins and vitamin E.
> It has very few calories: 100 grams of celery contains less than 20 calories . As a result, it is an excellent expedient for flavoring one's own dishes without weighing down their calorie content.
> Promotes the reduction of blood pressure.
> Helps maintain normal blood LDL cholesterol levels, thanks not only to the richness of fiber but also to the presence of terpenes.
> Promotes health of stomach and intestines.
Also read celery essential oil, the properties >>
Celery and arterial pressure
Celery contains apigenin, a vasodilating substance that, therefore, helps to counter hypertension.
It also contains 3-n-butylphtalide (3NB), a substance that promotes the reduction of blood pressure and helps to relax the smooth muscles and the blood vessel line.
Finally, it has phthalides, a group of substances useful for the control of hormones that regulate blood pressure.
Moreover, quality is no less important for health, celery allows to give flavor to dishes without adding a lot of salt .
Its sodium content, in fact, gives it a certain flavor that makes it a "smart" ingredient when you have to follow a diet with little added salt, as in the case of those suffering from high blood pressure.
Finally, even its diuretic qualities, mentioned above, contribute to making it valuable in the fight against high blood pressure.
Celery and gastro-intestinal health
Celery is an alkaline food and helps protect the gastric mucosa. Thanks to these qualities, it is useful in the prevention and treatment of heartburn, gastritis, ulcers and hiatal hernia.
Celery leaves have carminative properties and, therefore, help digestion and promote the expulsion of intestinal gases.
Celery seeds have an effect similar to fennel seeds, that is, they have digestive qualities and are useful in preventing and treating meteorism.
They can be used to prepare infusions, just like fennel seeds.
Contraindications of celery
As with any food, do not overdo it. The virtues of a product manifest themselves when consumption is adequate, excesses can be counterproductive.
For people with allergies and / or hives, it is advisable to consult your doctor about celery consumption.
For example, in some pollen allergies a reaction can occur even after eating celery.