It is one of vegetables best known, easy to identify by its grooved stems forming a thick petiole with wedge-shaped leaves. However, it is little appreciated despite the fact that consumption offers many health benefits.
The plant has a strong sour taste, although with a certain cultivation process it loses these qualities and acquires a sweeter taste and the characteristic aroma that makes it a distinctive ingredient in both salads and soups. What are we talking about? Nothing less than the celery.
Celery, a vegetable rich in nutrients
Unlike some vegetables, celery retains most of its nutrientseven when steamed.
In fact, a study published in the journal LWT Food and Science Technology compared celery that had been steamed, boiled and blanched and found that 10 minutes of steaming allowed the vegetable to retain 83% to 99% of its antioxidants.
One recommendation to keep in mind is that celery should be consume within seven days of purchase, according to the healthiest foods in the world. And, they explain, it’s because after a week significant amounts of its properties disappear.
Megan Warea registered dietitian nutritionist in Orlando, Florida reveals that “because celery is nearly 95% waterit is not particularly rich in vitamins or minerals”-
However, celery is a good source of vitamin Kwith one cup containing about 30 percent of the recommended daily allowance, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What Else It Offers: Helps you get enough folic acid, potassium, fiber and molybdenum. It has small amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A and some B vitamins.
Plus, Ware adds, this vegetable is natural low in calories, carbohydrates, fat and cholesterol.
And it offers some health benefits that are significant, such as the following:
It reduces cholesterol and regulates blood pressure
Celery fiber can help reduce cholesterol levels because it absorbs excess cholesterol compounds in the intestines and pushes them out in the process of elimination.
Research on the relationship between celery and cholesterol in humans is limited, but animal studies show promising results.
A University of Chicago study described by The New York Times found that a chemical in celery called phthalide reduced bad cholesterol levels by 7% and blood pressure by 14%.
Other research, published in Pharmacognosy Journalanalyzed celery seed extract in rats and concluded that it was useful for reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and increase HDL (good cholesterol).
Along the same lines, but in humans, Journal of Natural Medicine published a study that looked at celery seed extract given to mild to moderate hypertensive patients for six weeks and observed a reduction in blood pressure, reports Chilealimentos.com.
Helps to lose weight
Nutritionists specify that a stick of celery contains only 10 calories, while a cup of chopped celery contains about 16.
It also contains dietary fiber (1.6 grams per cup), which helps curb appetite by absorbing water in the digestive tract. generating satiety.
A post about Annals of Internal Medicine suggests to simply add more fiber in the diet can be a key component of weight loss.
anti-inflammatory power
celery is rich in antioxidant phytonutrients They contain anti-inflammatory properties.
A study in the journal nutrition and cancer revealed that it is an important source of flavonols and flavonic antioxidants in Chinese adults.
and second The healthiest foods in the worldcelery phytonutrients include: phenolic acids, flavones such as luteolin, flavonols such as quercetin and kaempferol, dihydrostilbenoids, phytosterols and furanocoumarins.
Scientists are still working to understand the full health implications of chronic inflammation in the body.
The mayonnaise clinic lists autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and Chron’s disease as problems where chronic inflammation plays a decisive role.
Along the same lines, an article in medical plant warns that the luteolin in celery can inhibit the production of COX-2, an enzyme that triggers inflammation.
celery and sex
Celery contains high levels of androstenone and androstenol, which are male pheromones.
Second Alan R. Hirschauthor of Scented sex: the secret to using aroma for arousal eating celery is supposed to increase the attractiveness of men.
Of course, not everyone agrees with this theory: many National Institutes of Health take the other side, pointing out that “these compounds are found in bodily or axillary fluids that communicate significant social information or influence reproductive processes in humans” .
Precisely, the UK Social Affairs Research Center reported that the Androstenol produced by male sweat is attractive to womenbut not that androstenone.
good for digestion
Another of the benefits of celery is related to its ability to improve the digestive system. And it is due to various mechanisms, as noted by Eharvard school of health.
The presence of insoluble fiber increases bolus volume e facilitates the passage of food through the digestive tract. So it is useful for intestinal transit and prevention of constipation, it spreads better with healthOf ACE.
They also indicate that it exerts a protective effect against diverticular disease, which is mainly observed with the intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.