Celery - Health Benefits of Celery

What are the health benefits of celery? Firstly, Celery is not only very low in calories, (almost none-existent) but we actually burn extra calories digesting it!

Celery is also very high in vitamin C, which apart from the obvious; being good for the fight against colds, also greatly supports the immune system.

Celery is extremely helpful for inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Celery also helps to reduce high blood pressure. On top of all this, it's a great diuretic, ridding the body of excess fluids.

Phthalides in celery help lower cholesterol, and it's Coumarins content helps in cancer prevention.

Celery clears uric acid from painful joints, and may help the treatment of arthritis and rheumatic problems as well as gout.

Grated or raw celery can be used on swollen glands.

Celery appears frequently in detox diet plans. It has cleansing properties, aiding digestion, and regulation of body fluids.

Celery is also beneficial in cases of insomnia, celery juice particularly as it is very calming to the nervous system. The high magnesium levels are soothing, and helpful to relaxation, and fully restful sleep.

Celery has a lot of potassium.

Potassium is an electrolyte that is good for maintaining a healthy nervous system. It is vital for proper brain function and normal muscle growth. It lowers blood pressure and helps balance normal water levels in your body. Lack of potassium can cause heart problems, fatigue, and dry skin.

A few stalks of raw celery can aid in constipation as it is high in fibre. Also in calcium, aiding strong bones and teeth. The health benefits of celery are countless!

According to Hippocrates, the father of medicine; celery calms nerves, perhaps because of its high calcium content. It's good for the kidneys and will eliminate the body's waste through the urine. The seeds, leaves, and edible root of the plant can all be used.

Celery is used in aromatherapy and other traditional ways of healing, like Ayurveda. In Japan, rheumatic patients are sometimes put on a celery only diet and as stated before, it is also a useful component of a detox diet.

Celery juice is extremely helpful in weight loss, as it is a natural appetite suppressant. 'Snacking' on celery all day will lessen the urge to eat, and as stated before, will burn extra calories, without adding any. Celery is also known to curb the craving for sweets.

Instead of snacks that will ruin your diet, cut celery into small pieces and keep them at hand when watching TV or reading. You can snack on celery as much as you like without making any difference to your diet, except aiding it. If you get bored with just celery, fill the pieces with a little low fat cream cheese, or peanut butter. Delicious!

100 g of raw celery contains only 16 calories, 3 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of protein, and 80 mg of sodium. Also contains vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Zero fat and zero cholesterol.

Celery is rich in vitamin K, which will help to suppress the appetite.

Vitamin K also helps to form normal blood clots, i.e. it's the vitamin that stops you from bleeding to death.

Adults over age 50 should increase the vitamin K intake, as it aids in making essential bone proteins, preventing bone fractures and osteoporosis. A lack of vitamin K can cause liver problems, excessive bruising and bleeding.