CRAZY FOR CELERY

Ok, I don’t think anyone talks about the health benefits of celery, but this little green nugget of slender beauty is packed with lots of health fortifying punch. Continuing my series “Have I looked At The Simple Things In Life Yet?” I would like to introduce to you my friend celery. There are many ways to eat celery: raw with your favorite condiment; boiled in your favorite soup; or as a third wheel to a main course of hot wings. One major knock against celery is that it contains more sodium than most vegetables. The sodium is offset by very high levels of potassium. Furthermore, the amount of sodium is not significant even for the most salt-sensitive individuals.

Either way you slice it, celery can be an amazing additive to getting you back on the healthy track that you may have been derailed from during the holiday break. Let’s run down the highlights of celery.

1. Nutritional Highlights:

• An excellent source of vitamin C (protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, and eye disease) and fiber (metabolism booster).

• A very good source of potassium, folic acid, and vitamin B6 and B1 (antioxidants to fight against cancer causing free radicals).

• Filled with vitamin B2 (metabolism booster and keeps nerves and blood cells healthy).

2. Health Benefits:

• Bladder infections- With loads of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic compounds, as well as some calcium blockers, celery seeds are said to improve the quantity and quality of urine and are a useful diuretic for urinary tract infections (UTIs).

• Bursitis- COX-2 inhibitors are a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that were acclaimed as the new “miracle aspirin”. Celery is one of the best know sources of these COX-2 inhibitors. So bursitis and other inflammatory conditions benefit from celery. Try making a tea from freshly crushed celery seeds, or taking celery seed supplements.
• Gout- The COX-2 inhibitors present in celery and celery seeds are also good at reducing uric acid levels, which are the cause of gout attacks. Try the tea method again by pouring boiling water over 1 teaspoon of freshly crushed celery seeds and letting it steep for 10 to 20 minutes before drinking it. Juicing is not a bad option as freshly squeezed celery juice on its own provides just enough assistance.

• Cancer- Phytochemical coumarin is a compound in celery. It has been proven effective in cancer prevention and enhances the activity of certain white blood cells that help fight cancer, preventing those pesky free radicals from damaging cells. Another compound, acetylene, has been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Phenolic acids block the action of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which have been known to encourage the growth of tumor cells.
• Fungal infections- acts as a natural resistant to pathogens during storage because it contains a melting pot of fungicides, with more than two dozen already identified. Research suggests eating one celery stalk a day to keep those microbes in check.

• Hay fever- Alleviates allergy symptoms.
• High blood pressure- Phytochemical compounds present in celery called coumarins, are able to tone the vascular system which lowers blood pressure.
• Indigestion- Contains two dozen painkillers, more than two dozen anti-inflammatory, 11 anti-ulcer compounds and more than two dozen sedatives to complement the activities of its three carminative compounds. These are herbs or preparations that prevent or facilitate expulsion of gas. J
• Memory loss- Celery contains a compound called luteolin, which is showing promise for lowering levels of plaque-forming proteins in the brain.

So there you have it. Who would have thought celery could be so amazing. The next time you finish off that serving of hot wings, think twice before chucking that celery to the side. You may want to take a couple of bites of my green buddy. It might be worth more than you can chew. I’m just saying…