CELERY: the benefits of a low-calorie vegetable

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Discover the benefits and virtues of celery. This low-calorie vegetable is a source of vitamins and minerals, gives a lot of flavor to the dishes and is rich in fiber.

Celery: a vegetable with many health benefits and virtues

People who are dieting or want to maintain a healthy weight can afford to eat a lot of celery because it is very low in calories . As proof, 2 stalks of celery contain less than 10 calories. That’s 95% of their weight is water.

Better yet, celery is satiating in its volume and fiber content. A 100 g portion of celery provides 1.6 g of fiber. Celery is also a good source of potassium  and provides a small amount of vitamin C and folic acid. This vegetable also gives a lot of taste to the dishes.

The leaves of celery are the most nourishing part of the plant. They contain calcium , iron, potassium, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Do not hesitate to integrate the leaves with soups , salads , stews and cooked dishes.

Health Properties and Promising Benefits of Celery

Herbal therapists recommend fresh celery and celery  seed tea for gout and other forms ofinflammatory arthritis , hypertension and edema. Studies indicate that celery phthalides may help lower the levels of certain hormones that contract blood vessels and raise blood pressure .

Polyacetylenes from celery would reduce the level of certain prostaglandins involved in inflammation . For now, however, there is no evidence that celery can relieve arthritis pain, lower blood pressure or increase urine output.

Although more scientific studies are needed to confirm these benefits, celery may help reduce the risk of certain cancers. Its polyacetylenes  would help destroy benzopyrene, a carcinogenic substance found especially in grilled meats.

Risks and disadvantages of celery on health

In sensitized people, they can cause a reaction to ultraviolet sun: just eat a little celery, or even manipulate during its preparation, to appear on the skin the equivalent of a sunburn .

The high content of celery in plant nitrates, which the body converts to nitrosamine, could be an increased risk of cancer . However, for many researchers, this risk is minor because most plants with a high nitrate content and other potentially carcinogenic substances also contain antidotes.

Finally, celery eaten alone as a snack may not be enough to quell hunger. Try combining it with a source of protein, such as Greek yogurt  or a handful of nuts for a tasty and satisfying snack. And why not accompany it all with tea, herbal tea or coffee to stock up on antioxidants!

Dr. Kanika Singla

Ph.D., IARI Postdoctoral Scholar, UC Berkeley

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