Foods are amazing. They not only assist with our hunger and our desires for flavor, but they offer many health benefits that can proactively aid in healing.
Enter the humble celery stalk … Gone are the days of celery taking a back seat in the veggie-sphere. It’s actually earned a “functional food” title. But I’ll take it one step further … I’d call it a Super Food!
Yes, you read that right. Celery is rich in vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin K. It also contains folic acid and 1 serving provides 9% of your RDA! It’s also low in calories and full of dietary fiber. Did you know that eating celery can also help you reduce your blood pressure?
This crunchy green veggie is loaded with a phytochemical called phthalides. Research has shown that an extract made from phthalides will relax the tissues of the artery walls. That in turn increases blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Plus you’re also getting a bunch of minerals that regulate blood pressure like potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium and sodium (the good kind.) And the leaves are a rich source of flavonoids, which have antioxidant, cancer protective and immune boosting functions.
Research has also shown that celery contains luteolin, a natural compound that can reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women who are on hormonal replacement therapy (HRT puts women at a higher risk for breast cancer.) Luteolin can also help in the fight against leukemia, thyroid, prostate and lung cancers and shows promise in helping with colorectal cancer.
Eat it in a salad, soup, slather it with peanut butter or just crunch it raw … your body will say thank you to all the benefits that celery has to offer!
