Published by Sun Gazing
Celery is by far one of the most underrated vegetables. Many people assume that the crunchy green stalks are just full of water and mostly void of any real or substantial nutritional benefit. However, such an assumption couldn’t be further from the truth because celery is packed full of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and all sorts of good stuff that our bodies need to stay healthy.
By simply eating more celery you can bring about many positive changes in your body. For example, studies have shown that by eating celery everyday it can help to protect and strengthen your eyesight and even brighten your eyes, making them appear whiter and more clear. In effect, this also makes you look fresh faced and younger looking. Plus, the better your vision, the less you have to strain your eyes and squint.
Below is a list of the top health benefits that celery has to offer us.
Anti-Inflammatory- Celery contains particular non-starch types of polysaccharides which are believed to give it anti-inflammatory benefits. It also contains antioxidants which fight against free radical damage, which is a major contributing factor to inflammation and chronic diseases like cancer and arthritis. Furthermore, those who have ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or other issues with inflammation in their digestive tracts can benefit greatly from eating celery because the antioxidants in it have been shown, and used, to effectively treat those conditions.
Protects and Repairs Damage at the Cellular Level- Celery contains over a dozen different types of antioxidants including flavonoids, vitamin K, and lunularin. These antioxidant nutrients help to naturally relieve oxidative stress and aid our bodies in removing damage causing free radicals, thus providing protection for our cells, blood vessels, and organs against them.
Regulates Body Temperature- Celery’s high water content and naturally present electrolytes help to regulate your body temperature by both hydrating and cooling your body down on a really hot day.
Helps Prevent Ulcers- Celery can help prevent ulcers, those tiny painful sores in the stomach or small intestine, from forming because it contains a certain type of ethanol extract that protects the digestive system lining. Studies have shown that celery greatly increases amounts of gastric mucus in the stomach lining which is vital in the protection against ulcers, rips and tears. This is especially true for people who suffer from low or insufficient levels of gastric mucus to begin with.
Helps Prevent Urinary Tract Infections- Celery is like cranberries in this respect because it stimulates urine production while also helping to reduce uric acid levels. This makes it an excellent aid for helping to prevent and fight against UTIs and other bacterial infections in the reproductive and/or digestive tracts.
Helps You Lose Weight- At only 10 calories per stick it’s extremely low calorie, all-natural, and yet still full of vitamins and nutrients. It also helps regulate metabolism and fills you up, thereby reducing your urge to snack afterwards on less healthy options.
In addition, celery has been proven to help lower cholesterol, prevent high blood pressure, and protect our livers against fat build up. It may even help to protect us from certain types of cancers but the research in that area is on-going and more studies in that area are needed.