Celery has repeatedly been praised by fitness enthusiasts and fans of a healthy lifestyle. Nutritionists include this vegetable in almost all diets. At the same time, this is not a new-fashioned goji berry or some expensive superfood. Celery is inexpensive, sold all year round in any vegetable tent, and many gardeners and even grows in the garden.
Today we will tell in more detail why it is so good and why it should be planted on your site.
What is this vegetable and where did it come from?
Initially, celery grew wild along muddy Mediterranean wetlands. Today it is widely cultivated in many countries around the world.
People eat almost all parts of the plant: leaves, stems, roots and even seeds. The root is most often found in stores under the name “celery root”.
On sale we sometimes meet not only green, but also almost white stalks of celery. The latter are obtained by timely hilling or wrapping with different materials when growing the plant for protection from the sun (see photo below). This makes them more tender. Leaves and green stems have a stronger aroma, while white stems are more tender and juicy.
Health benefits.
For people who care about their health, celery is a real find.
It contains more than half of the daily amount of carotenoids (converted in the body into vitamin A), a huge amount of vitamin C, as well as vitamin E, almost complete complex of B vitamins (B2, B3, B5, B6, B9). It is rich in trace elements: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus.
And all this with minimal calories. Therefore, celery is no less interesting for women who, in addition to health, care about their figure.
We have made a selection of the ten most important and interesting qualities of celery that will help us stay healthy and energetic.
11 most useful properties of celery.
- So, celery is a great choice if you are watching your weight. One large stem contains only 10 calories! Therefore, without much damage to the figure of vegetables can be included in any culinary dish.
- Celery relieves inflammation. If you suffer from joint pain, seasonal infections and many other inflammatory diseases, celery can be used as a great helper in combination therapy.
- Celery will help calm down. The minerals it contains, especially magnesium, calm the nervous system. If you want to sleep better and stronger, include vegetables in the evening menu.
- It regulates the alkaline balance in the body. Thus, celery protects us from excessive gastrointestinal acidification caused by eating fast food and other acid-forming foods.
- Celery promotes digestion. The high water content, combined with insoluble fiber, makes it an excellent tool for easy passage of fecal masses. Note: People prone to diarrhea should limit its consumption.
- It contains “good” salts. Celery root contains sodium, which is not the same as salt. Salt in celery is organic, natural and essential for your health.
- Celery takes care of your eyes. One large stalk of celery provides 5% of your daily need for vitamin A, as well as a group of nutrients that protect the eyes and prevent age-related visual degeneration.
- Celery lowers the level of “bad” cholesterol. It contains a component (butulfthalide), which gives the vegetable a unique taste and aroma. But that’s not all he does – the compound also lowers bad cholesterol.
- Celery lowers blood pressure. An active ingredient called “phthalides” in celery, improves the cardiovascular system. During heat treatment, it is destroyed, so to reduce high blood pressure, celery should be eaten raw.
- Celery can liven up your sex life. According to scientists, two pheromones are responsible for this – androstenone and androstenol – increase the level of excitation. They are released when you chew a celery stalk.
- Celery can fight cancer: two studies at the University of Illinois (USA) show that a powerful flavonoid in celery, called luteolin, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, especially in the pancreas. Another study found that regular consumption of celery can significantly delay the formation of breast cancer cells.
Useful tips on choosing, cooking and eating celery.
- Choose celery with straight strong stems that are crunchy when bent. When choosing, keep in mind that the darker the color, the stronger its aroma.
- Cut celery just before eating or when cooking with it. So it better retains its useful properties.
- Steamed celery not only retains its flavor, but also most of its nutrients – up to 99% of them.
- If the peculiar aroma prevents you from consuming celery in fresh form, but you still want to get the most out of it, prepare one of the most fashionable now cocktails – smoothies. For example: celery, cucumber, spinach, apple, lemon juice. Beat everything with a blender and drink to health.
- Use it as a side dish for the main dish in stew.
- Or add to salad. You can even use it in a fruit salad, such as apple and pear.
- Make soup out of it.
- Marinate the celery. In this form, it is extremely tasty.
