At just 10 calories a stalk, celery’s claim to fame may be that it’s long been considered a low-calorie "diet food." But crispy, crunchy celery actually has a number of health benefits that may surprise you, and today I am sharing five reasons why you should consider adding celery to your diet.
1. Celery is a great source of important antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect cells, blood vessels, and organs from oxidative damage.
Celery contains vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids, but there are at least 12 additional kinds of antioxidant nutrients found in a single stalk. It’s also a wonderful source of phytonutrients, which have been shown to reduce instances of inflammation in the digestive tract, cells, blood vessels, and organs.
2. Celery reduces inflammation.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to many illnesses, including arthritis and osteoporosis. Celery and celery seeds have approximately 25 anti-inflammatory compounds that can offer protection against inflammation in the body.
3. Celery supports digestion.
While its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients offer protection to the entire digestive tract, celery may offer special benefits to the stomach. Pectin-based polysaccharides in celery, including a compound known as apiuman, have been shown to decrease instances of stomach ulcers, improve the lining of the stomach, and modulate stomach secretions in animal studies. And then there’s the high water content of celery - almost 95% - which can help keep you hydrated - plus generous amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre. All of those support a healthy digestive tract and keep you regular. One cup of celery sticks has 5 grams of dietary fibre.
4. Celery is rich in vitamins and minerals with a low glycemic index.
You’ll enjoy vitamins A, K, and C, plus minerals like potassium and folate when you eat celery. It’s also low in sodium. Plus, it’s low on the glycemic index, meaning it has a slow, steady effect on your blood sugar.
5. Celery has an alkalizing effect.
With minerals like magnesium, iron, and sodium, celery can have a neutralizing effect on acidic foods — not to mention the fact that these minerals are necessary for essential bodily functions.
Tips for Buying and Storing Celery
Sturdy stalks. Look for celery that has sturdy, upright stalks. They should snap easily when you pull them, not bend.
Crisp leaves. Leaves should be crisp and fresh, ranging in colour from pale to bright green. Avoid celery with yellow or brown patches.
Wait to chop. Chop celery just before cooking or serving to maintain nutrients. Even celery that has been chopped and stored for just a few hours will lose nutrients.
Steam it. Steamed celery will retain flavour and almost all of its nutrients.
Eat in five to seven days. Eat fresh celery within five to seven days to enjoy its maximum nutritional benefits.
Eat the leaves. Don’t discard the leaves — that’s where celery has the most calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. But because they don’t store well, consume celery leaves within a day or two of purchase.
In addition to its many health benefits, celery is a versatile veggie. You can eat it raw or cooked, and it makes a great addition to smoothies, stir-fries, soups, and juices.
Words above from article here
Recipe Suggestions
1. Celery is a great source of important antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect cells, blood vessels, and organs from oxidative damage.
Celery contains vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids, but there are at least 12 additional kinds of antioxidant nutrients found in a single stalk. It’s also a wonderful source of phytonutrients, which have been shown to reduce instances of inflammation in the digestive tract, cells, blood vessels, and organs.
2. Celery reduces inflammation.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to many illnesses, including arthritis and osteoporosis. Celery and celery seeds have approximately 25 anti-inflammatory compounds that can offer protection against inflammation in the body.
3. Celery supports digestion.
While its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients offer protection to the entire digestive tract, celery may offer special benefits to the stomach. Pectin-based polysaccharides in celery, including a compound known as apiuman, have been shown to decrease instances of stomach ulcers, improve the lining of the stomach, and modulate stomach secretions in animal studies. And then there’s the high water content of celery - almost 95% - which can help keep you hydrated - plus generous amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre. All of those support a healthy digestive tract and keep you regular. One cup of celery sticks has 5 grams of dietary fibre.
4. Celery is rich in vitamins and minerals with a low glycemic index.
You’ll enjoy vitamins A, K, and C, plus minerals like potassium and folate when you eat celery. It’s also low in sodium. Plus, it’s low on the glycemic index, meaning it has a slow, steady effect on your blood sugar.
5. Celery has an alkalizing effect.
With minerals like magnesium, iron, and sodium, celery can have a neutralizing effect on acidic foods — not to mention the fact that these minerals are necessary for essential bodily functions.
Tips for Buying and Storing Celery
Sturdy stalks. Look for celery that has sturdy, upright stalks. They should snap easily when you pull them, not bend.
Crisp leaves. Leaves should be crisp and fresh, ranging in colour from pale to bright green. Avoid celery with yellow or brown patches.
Wait to chop. Chop celery just before cooking or serving to maintain nutrients. Even celery that has been chopped and stored for just a few hours will lose nutrients.
Steam it. Steamed celery will retain flavour and almost all of its nutrients.
Eat in five to seven days. Eat fresh celery within five to seven days to enjoy its maximum nutritional benefits.
Eat the leaves. Don’t discard the leaves — that’s where celery has the most calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. But because they don’t store well, consume celery leaves within a day or two of purchase.
In addition to its many health benefits, celery is a versatile veggie. You can eat it raw or cooked, and it makes a great addition to smoothies, stir-fries, soups, and juices.
Words above from article here
Recipe Suggestions
Poached Breast of Chicken with Celery - more details here
Creamy Celery Soup - more details here
Simple Celery Salad - more details here
Creamy Celery Soup - more details here
Simple Celery Salad - more details here
All the best Jan
31 comments:
...we have celery in green salads.
Celery is a favorite! I use it often in soups, sauces, stir fries, salads, and with dips.
Yes, we have celery often. I like to eat it with peanut butter!
I use celery leaves instead of parsley on salads and cooked meals.
El apio siempre es bueno y rico para incluirlo en nuestra dieta. Te mando un beso.
Always using celery, in recipes and salads, and love to eat it stuffed with pimento cheese.
Jo
I really need to buy and use more. Thanks for the reminder. Will put it on the list.
I haven't had any celery for a bit, but I think I need to start eating it regularly.
Now that I think of it, I haven't bought celery for a couple of weeks. Thanks for the reminder.
Celery is great for making peanut butter boats or "ants on a long".
I like celery but just forget to buy it sometimes.
I like celery but find it difficult to chew without enough teeth so it goes into soups here, but usually a recipe calls for one or two sticks and shops only sell it in bunches or half bunches or in a pack of re-cut sticks numbering too many for my needs. Sometimes I offer it to neighbours who all declare they don't eat it or want it.
I usually find that my celery goes bad before I can use it up but recently saw a hint that said to wrap the entire bunch in aluminum foil and store in refrg. crisper. I'm going to try that.
Thanks for the tip; I should buy one again. And the info about it is great.
Happy days, hugs, Elke.
Thank you so much for sharing, dear Jan.
Good article on celery Jan. We eat a fair bit of it and I cook with it often.
I do not eat celery that often! Take care, have a great day!
Celery is good, I eat it sometimes with cream cheese.
I always use celery when I make salad with tomatoes, onion and cucumber
I love celery, especially the spicy leaves.
I do like celery. I had no idea it was so beneficial though! Great to know!
I like it with cream cheese or in my crock pot soups and stews. So good both ways!!
Love celery ~ great info Jan as always ~ thanks ~ Hugs ^_^
I knew this -- but not about inflammation! Thanks!
I often use it in soups and salads. It's always in my fridge.
I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of celery.
Celery in tuna and other salads. Celery to munch on. A favorite snack is Ants on a Log. In soups, too, but today in Boston the temp. was 100 °F (38 °C) way too hot for soup.
I didn't realise it had so much goodness. I had some today in a salad with the leaves chopped off, maybe I will leave them on next time.
i am so happy to read this. i cook a lot with celery and during the summer we eat it every day with dip!! it's such a great snack, one we really enjoy!!
I love celery with peanut butter :) I have never tried the leaves though
No soy mucho de apio, aunque alguna vez lo suelo comer. Besos.
I like celery with peanut butter as a snack and I do love celery in soups. I would love to try adding it to a smoothy. Thanks for sharing all this information.
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