Health Benefits of Celery

Celery is a vegetable that belongs to the parsley family and is known by the scientific name of ‘Apium graveolers dulce’. It is grown mainly for its stalks, which are edible and used for consumption purposes. Celery boasts of a very pleasant and distinctive odor, the reason why it is used as an ingredient in stews, in salads, in soups, as mix in cocktail drinks, etc. However, very few people are aware that celery holds a high nutritional value and accords a number of health benefits to those who consume it. It is known to cure various health disorders which are not easily curable. Starting from the leaves to the root, almost all parts of the plant are edible and are also extremely rich in medicinal value. Celery is used in various weight-loss diets because of its low calorie content. It is also widely used in various soups and stews in either fresh or dried form.

Nutritional Value of Celery

Nutrient/100gm	Content
Energy	16 Kcal
Carbohydrates	3 g
Protein	3.46 g
Total Fat	1.12 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Dietary Fiber	2.10 g
Vitamins
Folates	36 µg
Niacin	0.320 mg
Pantothenic acid	0.246 mg
Pyridoxine	0.074 mg
Riboflavin	0.57 mg
Thiamin	0.021 mg
Vitamin A	449 IU
Vitamin C	3.1 mg
Vitamin K	29.3 µg
Vitamin K
Electrolytes
Sodium	80 mg
Potassium	260 mg
Minerals
Calcium	40 mg
Copper	0.35 mg
Iron	0.20 mg
Magnesium	11 mg
Manganese	0.103 mg
Phosphorus	24 mg
Zinc	0.13 mg

Health and Nutrition Benefits of Eating Celery

Consumption of celery has been found to be associated with lowering of blood pressure, making it good for persons suffering from the problem of hypertension.
Celery is believed to provide calmness.
Since celery helps in the clearing of uric acid from painful joints, it is said to be helpful in treating arthritis and rheumatic problems.
Celery contains very less calories and is the perfect food for those striving for weight loss. In fact, drinking celery juice before meals helps suppress appetite.
Celery is a very good source of Vitamin C and thus, strengthens the immune system and is also good for those suffering from cold.
Celery has anti-inflammatory properties and is an antioxidant. Grated or raw celery provides relief when used on swollen glands.
Researches have suggested that celery has anti-cancer properties.
Consumption of celery juice can balance the body’s blood pH, neutralizing acidity.
It is a great post-workout tonic.
Celery has a natural laxative effect which helps to relieve constipation.
During summers intake of a glass of celery juice between meals normalizes the body temperature.
Celery stimulates healthy and normal functioning of kidney by helping in the elimination of the body toxins. It also prevents kidney stones.
The potassium and sodium content in celery helps to control body fluid and aids urine production, which is important to remove the excess fluids from the body.
Since celery has a calming effect on the nervous system, it is recommended for insomniacs.

Celery has also been found to be useful in the treatment of the following ailments:

Acidosis
Anemia
Asthma
Brain Fatigue
Catarrh
Constipation
Diabetes
Dropsy
Kidney Diseases (nephritis)
Liver and Gallbladder Diseases
Neuritis
Obesity
Pancreas Diseases
Pyorrhea
Rheumatism
Tuberculosis

Buying & Storing Tips

Pick the roots that feel heavy and are firm. They should not look fresh and green and not dried.
If you buy celery roots with their stalks, it is better to separate them and store. The herb lasts longer than when stored separately.
To store, you can wrap the celery in a tin foil and keep in the refrigerator.

How To Wash and Cut Celery

Cut both the ends, i.e. the leaves and the base.
Rinse it thoroughly in water.
Remove the peel of the stalks with a vegetable peeler. However, peeling is not necessary, unless one is bothered by the stringy part of it, while having it raw.
Cut the stalks into sticks for dipping. Alternatively, you can dice the stalks into small pieces to use them in soups.

How to Enjoy Celery

Stir-frying is a great way of enjoying celery. Cook in a pre-heated skillet with small amount of oil for 2-3 minutes till it’s tender.
Boiling celery with other vegetable such as carrots is a healthy way of cooking it.
There are various ways of making celery soups, which are delicious as well as healthy.
Interestingly, celery can be baked into bread, to serve with lunch or dinner.
Salads are an excellent manner of having celery. You can enjoy celery salads with tasty dips.
Celery can be made into a sauce as well.
One of the healthiest modes of consuming celery is to have it in the form of juice. To give it a better taste, you can make a mixed juice comprising of grapes and celery.

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Benefits Of Celery

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