Celery is a vegetable rich in vitamins, such as: A, B, C , E and K, besides that, it also has mineral salts such as calcium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus. It also contains carbohydrate, dietary fiber and protein in its composition .
“Celery or celery, as it is popularly known, is rich in minerals such as magnesium and potassium and fiber . It has a diuretic, detoxifying effect due to the presence of glutathione and also stimulates intestinal functioning”, says nutritionist Andrezza Botelho.
Just from this beginning, you can see how beneficial it is to include celery in your homemade diet, right? However, from now on, you will have more examples of the benefits that this vegetable can bring to your health.
Lowers cholesterol
Celery has some substances that help reduce bad cholesterol, they are phenolic acids, flavones and flavonols. A compound also called Butyl Phthalate also has the same performance.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, celery also helps to relax blood vessels. This ends up leading to a reduction in blood pressure. Ah! Remembering that the likelihood of developing heart-related problems is minimized.
“Celery is rich in potassium, a mineral that doesn’t let the pressure go up. It is also a source of substances that improve blood flow. In other words, it helps the body to get rid of inflammation like gout”, adds nutritionist Rafaela Sampaio.
Aids weight loss
Among so many advantages of celery for human health, we can also mention its low calorie content. It is also rich in water and dietary fiber. All this can be converted into advantages for those who want to eliminate extra weight.
Ingested in salads, celery prolongs the feeling of satiety, which makes the person take a long time to feel hungry. This ends up resulting in the intake of fewer calories, which leads to weight loss as a result .
However, it is not enough to just bet on the benefits of celery to lose weight, since the adequacy of the menu and the inclusion of regular physical activities are more than necessary.
Cancer prevention
The presence of luteolin, which is a type of flavonoid, limits the growth of cancer cells. Coumarin, a phytochemical, also prevents colon and stomach cancer.
What’s more, celery is rich in antioxidants, important agents in fighting free radicals that cause aging.
“Its dietary and moisturizing properties also help in eliminating intestinal gas and eliminating toxins, in eliminating uric acid from the digestive system,” says nutritionist Ana Paula Araújo.
Menstrual problems
For women who have menstrual problems such as cramps and unregulated flow, celery can be beneficial. This is due to the presence of the estrogenic phytochemical anethole compound.
Celery recipes
After knowing the benefits of eating celery, many people ask about the possibilities of including it in the daily menu. One of the possible possibilities comes from preparing salads. But cooking goes much further.
Before going on with the recipes, according to nutritionist Rafaela Sampaio, in celery, “the leaves are more nutritious than the stalk. A soup or a salad are good options to enjoy them”.
Chicken pate and celery stalks
Ingredients
- Celery stalks cut into strips;
- 200g of cooked and shredded chicken breast;
- 1 chopped onion;
- 125 g of natural yoghurt;
- Parsley to taste.
Preparation mode
Using a bowl, mix the chicken, onion, chopped parsley and natural yoghurt. Mix well until ingredients are very homogeneous. The next step is to arrange the pâté over the celery stalks. Then just serve.
Cream of carrot and celery
Ingredients
- 4 carrots;
- 1 celery stalk;
- 1 small sweet potato ;
- 1 onion;
- 1 tablespoon of oil ;
- 1 clove of garlic.
Preparation mode
Cut out all the ingredients indicated in the recipe and place in a pan with enough water to cover them all. Bring to the fire and leave until the vegetables are well cooked. Then add the spices of your choice. Let cool.
Take the mixture to the blender and blend. The recommendation is that the cream be ingested while it is hot.
Celery tea
Ingredients
- 200 ml of filtered water;
- 20 grams of celery.
Preparation mode
Using a pot with a lid, bring the water to a boil. Once it is bubbling, turn off the heat and add the amount of celery recommended in the recipe. Let it sit for 10 minutes with the lid of the pan closed.
After this time, the recommendation is to use a sieve to help remove the used celery. Then, just put it in a cup and drink it. For the tea to work, do not use sugar or sweetener.
Celery contraindications
Excessive consumption of celery does not pose any health problems, however, some patients need to be careful about this as it can cause very specific problems.
People with kidney inflammation and diabetics should stay away from this vegetable. It has large amounts of sugars and calcium, which can impair the body’s function.
In this sense, a tip that never fails is to seek the advice of a medical professional, especially if you fit one of the restrictions that were presented above.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.