Many vegetables are known for their numerous health benefits. Diets composed of more vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic disease and other health ailments. Vegetables can supply the body of necessary nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are vital for development and maintenance. Many vegetables contain disease-fighting phytochemicals, that can help reduce the risk of different kinds of cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Celery is one vegetable that has many health benefits. Aside from being a source of good food, it is also used as alternative medicine. Its leaves, seeds, roots. and stems are used to treat urinal retention, kidney disease, hypertension, and even certain sexual disorders.
Celery is an excellent source of Vitamin C that is essential for promoting a healthy immune system. It also helps alleviate the symptoms of colds. Vitamin C inhibits free radical damage that may trigger inflammatory conditions like asthma and arthritis. This vitamin is also beneficial in promoting a healthy cardiovascular system.
Medical research shows that celery contains active compounds called pthalide that are essential in reducing the blood pressure. Pthalide works by relaxing the muscles of the arteries that regulates the blood pressures which allows the blood vessels to constrict. Healthy blood vessels may help prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart ailments. The benefits of celery in reducing blood pressure is also attributed to its high contents of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. High consumptions of these minerals have been associated with reduced blood pressure.
A food regimen which contains celery may help prevent cancer because of the anti-cancer properties. This vegetable contains coumarin which essential in the prevention of free radicals from degenerating the cells which is a leading cause of cancer. Coumarins may also enhance the activity of white blood cells, these cells defend the immune system and eliminate harmful cells, including cancer cells. Celery also contain acetylenics that have been shown in some scientific studies to stop the development of tumor cells.
Other health benefits of celery may include the following:
* Diseases of the kidneys (nephritis)
* Diseases of the pancreas
* Diseases of the liver and gallbladder.
* Rheumatism
* Neuritis
* Constipation
* Asthma
* Catarrh
* Pyorrhea
* Diabetes – leaves
* Dropsy – roots
* Brain fatigue
* Acidosis (the condition of depletion of alkaline reserve or bicarbonate content of the body, celery being an alkaline food.
* Anemia, no doubt due to the presence of iron, some protein and Vitamin
* Obesity
* Tuberculosis
* Improvement of teeth, no doubt due to the presence of calcium.
* Calms the nerve and give relief in cases of insomnia.
In addition to these health benefits, celery contains many active ingredients that has made this vegetable a very important plant when it comes to promoting good health. It contains balanced content of minerals, vitamins, and other necessary nutrients. Celery also contains important concentrations of plant hormones and other essential oils that may regulate the nervous system and promote a sense of relaxation Some studies also claim that the celery is may also promote stimulating and positive effects on the sexual system. Because of the many health benefits of celery, regular consumption of this vegetable is encouraged by many nutritionists and other health experts.