DavidWolfe.comWhether you eat it raw, throw it in some homemade soup or snack on a few stalks with a delicious dip as a side, celery provides some amazing health benefits for your body. Packed with vitamins and minerals, this humble veggie helps fight infection, improves joint health, and even helps bad breath. What else can it do? (1)
If celery isn’t part of your daily diet, here are ten reasons why it should be:
1. Reduces Inflammation
While it offers many benefits, the fight against inflammation tops the list, since inflammation is at the root of many problems. Lucky for you, celery is a natural anti-inflammatory. It contains luteolin, a phytochemical that has many health benefits. It has been shown to reduce inflammation in many parts of the body, including the brain.
2. Reduces Cholesterol
Celery also contains phthalides which trigger the production of bile acids. Bile acids help the body digest and use fats, but they also work to reduce LDL cholesterol in the blood. Eating about two sticks of celery per day can help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your body.
3. Treats Bladder Infections
This crunchy snack is also a natural diuretic. Those same compounds that trigger bile? Well, that will also help flush gallstones and bacteria out of the body to reduce inflammation, treat bladder infections, and promote a healthy digestive system.
4. Promotes Joint Health
Its anti-inflammatory properties work wonders on inflammatory conditions, OK, that sounds pretty obvious, but just one glass of celery juice per day helps reduce the swelling and pain associated with gout and arthritis. If you’ve ever suffered from either one, then you know that any relief is important.
5. Provides Cancer Protection
There are many compounds in this humble vegetable that have been shown to fight cancer. Specifically, phthalides and polyacetylenes detoxify cancer cells in the body to help prevent several types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. Apigenin is another compound with multiple health benefits, including preventing cancer.
6. Helps Manage Blood Pressure
Yes, every plant food contains potassium, but this veggie offers a solid dose, which helps manage blood pressure. More importantly, the phthalides in celery also help to relax the muscles surrounding the arteries, which lowers blood pressure by helping the blood vessels dilate.
7. Aids In Weight Loss
Do you crave something crunchy? Look no farther! These tasty stalks offer the perfect snack for weight loss. One stalk only contains about 15 calories, and it’s packed full of fiber. The fiber in celery will help keep you fuller longer, to prevent overeating.
8. Helps Treat Bad Breath
Bad breath results from bacteria getting stuck in your gums and teeth – and, yes, in your stomach, too. Chewing on a piece of celery can help clean your teeth and gums, thanks to its texture, and dislodge food that’s stuck. It will also naturally freshen your breath!
9. Aids In Digestion
Here’s a benefit of the natural makeup of this veggie. The natural high water and fiber content in celery makes it an ideal food to help with constipation. The water and insoluble fiber will help keep your digestive system running smoothly.
10. Helps Relieve Stress
Believe it or not, celery can help your body better deal with stress and anxiety. How? Well, this veggie contains a good amount of magnesium, which naturally calms the nervous system. Because of that crunching a few stalks soon before bed can also help promote a better night’s sleep.
Sources:
Healthy Holistic Living
Self Hacked
NDTV
Cleveland Clinic
Cancer News