by Mel Mcintyre

Created on: April 23, 2010

Celery is believed to be an optimal food, one of the so-called “super” foods. So what is it that makes celery so special?

C for Celery

Celery is one of the richest sources of vitamin C among all the vegetables. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, fights off colds, and battles free radicals. This last point is particularly important, because free radicals can oxidize cholesterol and eventually lead to heart attacks or stroke.

So if you want your cardiovascular system to stay healthy and trouble-free, celery can help you achieve that. But what else can it do?

C for Chinese

According to Chinese medicine practitioners, celery can help reduce blood pressure. It does this by relaxing the muscles around the arteries and allowing them to dilate. More open arteries mean that the blood can flow easier, or at a lower pressure. In other words, celery can lower your blood pressure.

 C for Compounds

Celery owes its ability to lower blood pressure to the presence of compounds known as phthalides. It also contains compounds called coumarins that are believed to help prevent free radical from damaging cells. Coumarins also help boost the immune system and bolster white blood cells, while at the same time getting rid of harmful or cancerous ells. And still more compounds called acetylenics have been proven to halt the growth of tumor cells.

Bet you didn’t know there was so much going on in this unassuming vegetable. But wait; there’s more.

C for Cholesterol

Studies have shown that pure celery juice can help lower cholesterol. Celery is rich in potassium and sodium, two minerals that help to regulate fluid balance in the body. That means that eating celery (or drinking its juice) will stimulate the production of urine and help to rid your body of excess fluids.

C for Calories

And finally, celery is well known for its characteristic as a negative-calorie food. Each stalk of celery contains 6 calories, but the body uses up 12 calories to digest it. So if losing weight or maintaining weight is your goal, celery could be the key to achieving it.

Unlike many foods, celery is incredibly versatile. It can be eaten raw, used as a party food with dips, cooked in stews or stir fries, turned into a drink, added to sandwiches or salads, and so on. There seem to be no limits to the possibilities.

Be sure to remember all these health benefits and the amazing potential celery offers the next time you visit your local supermarket.

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