We recently posted about the amazing health benefits of the humble cucumber.
But what salad is complete without a crunchy celery stick?
Celery is often overlooked. many of us think of it as “crunchy water” and assume it has little nutritional value.
Oh Boy, How wrong we can be!
But I always have a problem talking about alkaline diet foods. Am I talking about the food’s ability to help my alkaline balance to be regained, or am I talking about the health benefits beyond alkalizing? It’s my humble opinion that beyond the alkalizing benefits, much of the ‘pH Miracle’ cures we read about come from the additional super-properties of these basic foods. Celery is no exception.
Celery is in the Apiaceae / Umbellerifereae family. It’s been recorded as growing as far back as 1323 BC in Egypt, Europe and the Mediterranean. When Tutankhamen was entombed, he was garlanded with celery leaf. (A bit late to get the health benefits, unfortunately!)
More than a billion pounds of celery are harvested each year in the US, primarily in Michigan and Florida. It’s used in soups, appetizers, entrees and as an addition to tuna and chicken salads. We consume as much as six pounds of celery over the course of a year. (Yes, most of it water, I admit.)
It’s a “negative calorie” food – only 16 calories per cup chopped serving.. Our body almost burns as many calories digesting it as celery itself contains.Low caloric content combined with the high-fiber definitely make celery a fabulous food for weight loss goals. It has an extremely high rate of nutrition compared to a very small amount of carbohydrates. And.. of course.. it’s also an alkaline food, helping to balance acid levels in the blood.
Celery and Your Brain
Scientists have now discovered the link between a flavinoid compound called luteolin and brain health. Older mice in a recent study retained youthful brain functioning when their diet was enriched with luteolin.
This flavonoid works throughout your entire body to fight the effects of free radicals that can speed up the cellular aging process.
Linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and cancer, it’s reasonable to say that celery (which is high in luteolin) reduces inflammation naturally. This is especially beneficial to the brain. Inflammation is believed to be a leading cause of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.
Celery and Total Wellness
Cancer Prevention
Proven carcinogen detoxifiers phthalides, coumarins and polyaceylenes found in celery enhance white blood cell effectiveness.
Heart Health
Pthalides lower stress hormone levels in the blood and relax muscles around the arteries. Blood vessels dilate smoothly, resulting in lower blood pressure.
The abundance of heart-healthy calcium, potassium and magnesium found in celery also regulates blood pressure. Pthalides increase the body’s secretion of bile which helps to lower cholesterol and prevent clogging of the arteries.
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is the primary cause of the pain we experience from arthritis, gout, and asthma. Coumarins found in celery control inflammation and lower swelling in and around joints. Coumarins have proven effective in lessening the severity of asthma, treating muscle pain and getting rid of migraines.
How about a Celery Smoothie
packed with vitamins, minerals and compounds that balance acidity in the blood, this veggie smoothie goes a long way toward total body health minus the fat and carbohydrates. Rinse or scrub each vegetable and trim the ends! Super easy and delicious.
Ingredients:
2 medium carrots
2 celery stalks
5 – 6 leaves leaf lettuce
1/2 golden delicious apple
1 small beet.
Wow!
