Our common celery stalk is mostly composed of about 83% water and a healthy amount of fiber.This is well known. What is not well know is the fact that celery alsocontains many micronutrients which it receives from rain, sunshine, andthe soil medium from which it is grown. We have been led to believethat celery does not have much to it when in fact celery truly containsa wealth of health improving nutrients that we can obtain from it. Celery has a profile that is much more than water and fiber!
Theeffects of celery on the body are diuretic, expectorant, carminative,anti-asthmatic, and digestive aid. Celery is a good source of vitaminK, vitamin C, potassium, folate, and fiber. It also contains molybdenum, manganese, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium,phosphorus, iron, and tryptophan. Celery also contains about 35milligrams of a beneficial sodium complex; this is useful in reducingstomach acid levels and raising our hydrochloric acid levels which inturn improves digestion.
Celery has been used for many years in Chinese medicine to alleviate high bloodpressure, and this practice is beginning to pick up steam in America.It is believed that the phthalides in celery relax the arteries andallow the vessels to dilate which enables the blood to flow morefreely. These phthalides also relieve our stress hormones and in turnthe less stressed our body is the lower our blood pressure becomes.Celery is also a very good source of potassium, calcium and magnesium, all of which have been associated with reduced blood pressure.
Celery is also a good source of vitamin C,and along with that comes all the benefits that vitamin C carries withit. Some of these benefits include a boost in the immune system and areduction in the symptoms and severity of colds. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant which has been shown to lower inflammation in many cases such as arthritis and asthma. Vitamin C is crucial in the production of collagen.
Celerycontains compounds called coumarins that help in the prevention of freeradicals, thus decreasing the potential for cells to become cancerousdue to mutation. Coumarins also have been shown to enhance the activityof certain types of white blood cells, immune defenders that targetharmful cells, including cancer cells. In addition, compounds in celerycalled acetylenics have been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells.
Celery is just one of the many ancient healing foodsfrom our past. As our methods of researching whole foods develop, weare finding out more and more about what we are eating for dinner, andas we have just found out, celery is truly much more than just waterand fiber!
Resources:
http://www.weightlossresources.co.u...
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?...
http://www.foodreference.com/html/c...
http://www.indepthinfo.com/celery/h...
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The health benefits of celery are
more than just lowering blood pressure.
They also contain at least eight families of
anti-cancer compounds to combat cancer.
Celery is from the same family with parsley and fennel, the Umbelliferae family. It can grow to the height of up to 16 inches. The white celery is grown shaded from direct sunlight, thus has less chlorophyll, compared to its greener counterparts.
The ribs of celery are crunchy and are often used to make soup or salad. It has a salty taste, so celery juice is a good mix with the sweeter fruit juices. Depending on variety, some may taste very salty.
Nutritional Benefits
Celery leaves has high content of vitamin A, whilst the stems are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C with rich supplies of potassium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and plenty essential amino acids.
Nutrients in the fiber are released during juicing, aiding bowel movements. The natural organic sodium (salt) in celery is very safe for consumption, in fact is essential for the body. Even individuals who are salt-sensitive can safely take the sodium in celery, unlike table salt (iodised sodium) which is harmful for those with high blood pressure.
While many foods lose nutrients during cooking, most of the compounds in celery hold up well during cooking.
Health Benefits
Celery has always been associated with lowering of blood pressure. When combined with other juices, it provides different formula that help other conditions.
Recent studies have shown that celery might also be effective in combating cancer. Read on.
Some of the health benefits of celery juice:
Acidity: The important minerals in this magical juice effectively balance the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity.
Athletes: Celery juice acts as the perfect post-workout tonic as it replaces lost electrolytes and rehydrates the body with its rich minerals.
Cancer: Celery is known to contain at least eight families of anti-cancer compounds. Among them are the acetylenics that have been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Phenolic acids which block the action of prostaglandins that encourage the growth of tumor cells. And coumarins which help prevent free radicals from damaging cells.
Cholesterol: This humble pale juice has been shown to effectively and significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Colon and stomach cancer: The phytochemical coumarins prevent the formation and development of the colon and stomach cancers.
Constipation: The natural laxative effect of celery helps to relieve constipation. It also helps relax nerves that have been overworked by man-made laxatives.
Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of celery juice two or three times a day, between meals. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.
Diuretic: The potassium and sodium in celery juice helps to regulate body fluid and stimulate urine production, making it an important help to rid the body of excess fluid.
Inflammation: The polyacetylene in celery is an amazing relief for all inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, asthma and bronchitis.
Kidney function: Celery promotes healthy and normal kidney function by aiding elimination of toxins from the body. While eliminating toxins, it also prevents formation of kidney stones.
Lower blood pressure: Drinking celery juice every day for a week significantly helps lower blood pressure. A compound called phtalides help relax the muscle around arteries, dilating the vessels and allowing blood to flow normally. To be effective, drink the juice for one week, stop for three weeks, and start over.
Nervous system: The organic alkaline minerals in celery juice has a calming effect on the nervous system, making it a wonderful drink for insomniacs.
Weight loss: Drink celery juice frequently throughout the day. It helps curb your cravings for sweets and rich food.
Urinary stones, breaking of: The diuretic effect of celery juice also aids the breaking and elimination of urinary and gall bladder stones.
You can expect many more healing benefits from celery juice as you consume its natural sodium. Read how our body lacks and have been deprived of, natural salt.
Consumption Tips
Choose green celery where possible for its chlorophyll. Ensure that the ribs are still firm, not limp. To store in the fridge, wrap celery in a sealed container or wrap in a plastic bag or a damp cloth.
Do not leave it at room temperature for too long as it tends to wilt quickly. If your celery has wilted, sprinkle it with a little water and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours. It will regain its crispness.
Caution
Celery is such a succulent plant that it produces its own "pesticide" to protect itself from fungi. This protective layer is called psoralens which although protects the celery, may not go down so well with some people.
If you begin having skin problems after eating celery, it might mean that you have some sensitivity to psoralens.
Some people with low blood pressure had complained that celery makes their blood pressure even lower. I personally didn't encounter that problem so I believe it is also your overall make-up. But, you might want to avoid celery if you have low blood pressure. Listen to your body when you take celery.
'There are various health benefits dervied from celery and its juice. The medical virtues of celery were first described by the Greeks Discorides and Pliny. In the early middle ages celery juice was very beneficial for curing ailments such as stones, constipation, menstrual problems and for health disorders of the liver and gall bladder.
The green leaves and stem and the bulbous root of celery are all extremely rich in active ingredients that make celery a very important medicinal plant and very beneficial to health. There is a well balanced content of the basic minerals, vitamins and nutrients, but in addition there are important concentrations of plant hormones and the essential oils that give celery its strong and characteristic smell. These oils have a specific effect on the regulation of the nervous system, and have a great calming influence. It is the presence of the essential oils which makes celery special. These are also found in the seeds and, if available, they too can be added to the juice.
Celery is used for its strong stimulating and beneficial effect on a weak sexual system, but as is usual with plant therapies the normally active person does not have to fear an uncontrollable upsurge. Plant therapy tends to make the system normal. Like beet there is also a general health tonic effect.
The strong diuretic (water removing) powers of celery enable it to be used in the control of health problems such as arthritis and rheumatism. Sufferers cannot have too much and may consume the vegetable cooked or raw, or in juice form which is the most health effective treatment of all.
A tablespoonful of honey in celery juice, sipped slowly, will very effectively reduce the appetite if taken before a meal, and makes a delightful drink. You can take the same mixture as a nightcap when it will help you to relax into a soothing and restful sleep.
Those who take the juice who have in the past suffered from a tendency towards stones in the gall bladder or the kidneys usually find that these painful deposits do not form again. It seems likely that this effect is related to the anti-arthritic properties of the juice.'