{"id":3896,"date":"2019-02-18T04:04:11","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T04:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3896"},"modified":"2021-05-27T13:22:33","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:22:33","slug":"16-impressive-health-benefits-of-celery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/16-impressive-health-benefits-of-celery\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Impressive Health Benefits of Celery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The official name of celery is actually Apiumgraveolens \u2014 but you can see why they gave it a catchier nickname. Celery is a member of the Apiaceae family of plants. The benefits that celery brings to your health are vast due to the fact that it contains high levels of antioxidants and enzymes. It\u2019s also jam-packed with essential vitamins and minerals including folate, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been countless studies that cover the health benefits that celery provides. Due to this, celery has long been a staple of alternative medicine as well as culinary applications. If you eat celery on a regular basis, you\u2019ll have a healthier heart and a happier life. Furthermore, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of celery also make it a great food for those who suffer from hypertension and excessively high levels of cholesterol in their bloodstream. Here are eight benefits that celery has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Lowers Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Celery is filled to the brim with antioxidants and polysaccharides. Antioxidants can repair the damage caused by free radicals \u2014 one of the most common causes of inflammation. Chronic diseases like arthritis<\/a>, cancer, and heart disease are caused by inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are over a dozen forms of antioxidants contained within celery. These include quercetin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. Celery is a great home remedy for inflammatory issues which include joint point, IBS, kidney infections, and UTIs. Urinary tract infections often cause difficulty or irregularity in bowel movements and urination due to inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being the case, the antioxidants contained in celery can ease the symptoms and sometimes even cure the problem outright. Many skin disorders are also caused or triggered by inflammation. For instance, eczema isn\u2019t caused by inflammation, it\u2019s caused by excessive cell growth. That said, its episodes can be triggered by inflammation thus eating celery can reduce the frequency of these flares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Reduces High Cholesterol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another benefit of eating celery on a regular basis is its ability to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in your body. If you add celery into your meals, you\u2019ll notice a healthier heart and less cholesterol<\/a>. There is a compound called BuPh in celery that can lower lipid. Furthermore, if you add more celery into your meals or start taking celery supplements, you\u2019ll find that your triglyceride concentration, total cholesterol, and lipoprotein cholesterol will all be decreased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excessively high cholesterol levels make it difficult for your body to move blood around your arteries which can lead to heart disease and even cardiac arrest. Eating celery regularly will ensure that the free flow of your blood across your body is safeguarded. This will, in turn, reduce the odds of developing heart disease and increase your lifespan significantly. Remember, it only takes a few minutes to cut up some celery, but it can cost you years if you develop heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Treats High Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another great health benefit that celery has to offer is its ability to treat hypertension <\/a>\u2014 or high blood pressure in layman\u2019s terms. High blood pressure can increase the odds of developing coronary heart disease. This can be a deadly disease and could significantly shorten your life. Luckily, there are many home remedies that will help you lower your blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celery is an especially effective one. Celery seed extracts are particularly good for treating high blood pressure because they hold anti-hypertensive properties. Celery is also filled with high amounts of calcium and potassium. In addition, celery contains muscle-relaxing capabilities which can regulate your blood pressure and ensure you don\u2019t get a stroke. Overall, adding celery to your diet is a great way to keep your heart healthy, your blood pressure normal, and your life happy. Bear in mind that celery isn\u2019t a substitute for hypertension medications and you should never treat it as such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Aids In Weight Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Celery is one of those foods that are great if you\u2019re trying to shave a few pounds off to ensure you don\u2019t get sucked into the vortex of obesity<\/a>. Celery is perfect for those on a diet due to the fact that it has barely any calories while still being nutritious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If celery is the main part of your diet, you\u2019ll still be able to get all the vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to operate at optimal efficiency but without gaining back the pounds that you just lost through all your sacrifice and exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, celery also hastens your metabolism to ensure that you burn calories faster and lose more weight. It\u2019s also rich in vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, electrolytes, and antioxidants \u2014 which will all keep you energetic even while you diet. Don\u2019t die yet, just diet. If you want to stay healthy while losing weight, be sure to get your daily dose of celery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Fights Infections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Celery seeds hold antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Due to this, they have long been used as a treatment for the infection<\/a>. In fact, there have been records of celery seeds used to fight infection from a few centuries ago. Celery extract has the same effect as celery seeds. It can inhibit the growth of bacteria, boost the efficiency of your immune system, and fight any bacterial infections that might be manifesting within your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people just rely on antibiotics to deal with any bacterial infections that they may be dealing with. That said, there are many benefits that come with using antibiotics such as an imbalance in your body\u2019s microbiome. If you want to get the same bacteria-busting effects without having to deal with all the usual side effects that come with pharmaceuticals, add some celery to your diet and watch the pathogens scream in pain as they are destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Cures Bloating And Improve Digestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Indigestion<\/a> is a common woe that most of us have dealt with at one point or another throughout the course of our lives. There are many digestive benefits that you can get by eating celery due to its diuretic capabilities. If you eat celery regularly, you\u2019ll notice an improvement when it comes to digestion. You\u2019ll also have to worry less about bloating and water retention \u2014 making you appear slimmer than you already are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some studies have linked indigestion to high blood pressure. They have hypothesized that the digestive system has a tougher time breaking down food into nutrients when the blood pressure in your body is excessively high. Celery has the ability to lower your blood pressure which could further aid digestion. In this regard, celery is the best vegetable for killing two birds with one stone. You aid your digestion while further reducing the odds of having a stroke. What more could you ask for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Reduces The Risk Of Urinary Tract Infections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Urinary tract infections<\/a> are an extreme annoyance and can really throw off your daily routine. Despite the measures that many people take to prevent these problems, you\u2019ll often find a urinary tract infection popping up at the least convenient time anyway. Celery can help decrease the frequency of urinary tract infections due to the fact that it can increase the production of urine and lower the levels of uric acid in your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also holds antibacterial properties which can ward off any harmful bacteria before they even have the chance to manifest into a full-blown infection. Celery will even kill off any bacterial infections that might be starting up in your stomach as it lingers there during the digestion process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, there have even been studies suggesting that eating celery on a regular basis might help dissolve any cysts that are forming within your body. It is as of yet unclear why celery has this effect, but why question the benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Keeps Cancer At Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important benefits that celery brings is its ability to prevent cancer. Cancer<\/a> is one of the scariest things that you can get. While it doesn\u2019t always mean that the end is nigh, it certainly makes it harder for you to live your life and accomplish your goals. Even those who beat cancer likely spent years doing so and as a result, missed out on countless experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention the constant risk of cancer returning. If you don\u2019t want to fall victim to one of the largest banes of life in human history, be sure to add more celery into your diet. Polyacetylenes are compounds that can prevent the formation of cancer, and, wouldn\u2019t you know it, celery contains high levels of these compounds. These compounds that are contained in celery can also inhibit the growth of any cancerous tumors. To keep yourself cancer-free, add some celery to your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Boosts the Immune System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While we don\u2019t necessarily think of celery as being a go-to source of vitamin C, it is there nevertheless! When you combine that with a number of other beneficial nutrients, this means that celery is particularly effective at helping to boost the immune system<\/a>. All the extra water and fiber in celery will then only help improve this further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that fiber is particularly of interest, seeing as it may help to improve the cultivation of \u2018good bacteria\u2019 in the gut, which in turn can have huge benefits throughout the body: boosting production of beneficial hormones and neurotransmitters and making short work of invading bad bugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That, in turn, means that you can expect not to suffer from a number of conditions that you might normally be at risk of. Fewer colds, flu, stomach bugs, and general malaise are all on the menu and this means that you can enjoy generally better health and well-being as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Improves Mood<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Celery might actually be useful for improving the mood \u2013 and there are a few potential ways that this can work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, if you consume lots of celery, then you will be getting a dose of vitamin C as we\u2019ve already discussed. What you may not realize about vitamin C, is that the body is able to convert it into serotonin <\/a>\u2013 the feel-good hormone \u2013 thereby improving your mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, celery also contains a small amount of magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral that has a number of uses throughout the body, but among those are relaxing the muscles and helping to calm the brain! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s the fact that celery can help to improve your sex life by raising arousal. This is achieved through two pheromones that are found in celery: androstenone and androstenol. These raise arousal when you chew on celery stalk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course it\u2019s hard to be in a bad mood when you\u2019re aroused\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Helps Sleep<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember how we said that celery contained magnesium<\/a>, which in turn could relax the brain and muscles? Many people actually supplement with magnesium right before they go to sleep for this very reason!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And because celery also contains zinc, this means that it might actually help to support the production of testosterone during sleep-aiding with recovery and muscle building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that the magnesium found in celery might not be able to cross the blood-brain-barrier, meaning it might not exert notable effects on brainwaves (for that you\u2019d want magnesium threonate). But it could still affect the muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And on top of that, the improved hydration you get from celery could also help with sleep (not to mention eradicating morning halitosis). Then there\u2019s the fact that serotonin actually converts into melatonin in the brain \u2013 meaning that your good mood can eventually turn to a sleepy mood!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Fights Specific Forms of Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Celery might be able to combat cancer in a number of different ways. We\u2019ve already seen that it contains vitamin C, which you may know is one of the most common antioxidants (a substance that neutralizes free radicals \u2013 which in turn are responsible for destroying cells and triggering mutations).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more though, is that celery contains a host of other powerful nutrients such as the flavonoid luteolin. This is known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells \u2013 especially in the pancreas. Another study also shows that regularly consuming celery might help to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is this recent research – along with the anti-inflammatory effects, blood-sugar lowering effects, and more \u2013 that has led to the humble celery stick recently enjoying so much notoriety and fame as a \u2018superfood\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Fights Cramps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are an athlete who regularly suffers from cramping, then you should definitely consider taking a stick of celery to the gym with you. In many ways, celery represents the perfect storm when it comes to enhancing athletic performance by reducing cramping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, celery contains a lot of water. A lot of cramping is caused simply due to dehydration<\/a>, and so by drinking plenty of fluids, you can help to lubricate the muscles and prevent cramps from setting in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, celery is also high in potassium AND in \u2018healthy salts\u2019. Together, this balance of electrolytes helps to support the transmission of electrical impulses through the body and muscles to allow for contractions and movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, on top of all that, the magnesium as we have already seen is also capable of reducing cramping by relaxing the muscles!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Reduces Blood Sugar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most exciting findings regarding the health benefits of celery right now, is that it help to improve blood sugar. This happens due to a combination of the fiber and the flavones, which are currently being looked at for their role in lowering blood sugar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with the low-calorie nature of celery itself, this is great news for those looking to lose weight AND it is great news for those with diabetes, pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or any kind of disposition to weight gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Improves Eye Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may think of carrots as being good for your vision, but it turns out that celery can give them a run for their money. This is again due to the vitamin A content, and particular substances called luteolin and lutein. Lutein, in particular, is a common supplement taken to reduce the risks of macular degeneration<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A stalk of celery will provide 5 percent of your vitamin A intake, so it\u2019s not likely to make a huge difference to your health on its own \u2013 but as part of a nutritious and balanced diet, it can be very beneficial for helping you see clearly into old age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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16. Boosts Energy and Brain Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That lutein content does more than just boost eye health though! It has also been found recently to do wonders for the brain and <\/em>for the mitochondria (energy cells). In one study, mice given lutein were found to run for longer in their wheel voluntarily and to lose more weight as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More recently, lutein consumption has been linked with brain development<\/a>. In particular, mothers who consumed plenty of lutein when breastfeeding would find their children were more likely to score high grades in their tests throughout the first years of school. This is because lutein increases something called \u2018brain plasticity\u2019 \u2013 the ability of the brain to grow and respond to stimuli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it makes sense that this should be the case too \u2013 seeing as the eyes are actually just an external part of the brain from a technical standpoint!
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