Discover 15 Incredible Health Benefits of Celery for Supercharged Wellness

Overview

Most of us know that Celery is a beneficial food for weight loss and other digestive remedies, however – did you know that there are other super health benefits of this often forgotten product too? – Among them, cancer fighting agents and other related combats. Not to mention the action vitamins like A & C, and Magnesium.

While we are here to list fifteen things that Celery is good for – let us first learn a little bit about this quiet vegetable. It comes from the Parsley family and has been stated as one of the world’s HEALTHIEST Foods! ^[1]

Although there are several different varieties of the plant – such as Pascal Celery found in most US Markets, Australian Celery, Vietnamese Celery, Indian Celery, Maori Celery and Water Celery – these all belong to the same family (Apiaceae/Umbellerifereae). Throughout various cultures, these are all referred to as ‘wild celery’.

There is actually a lot of history in Celery that could teach us some things about how awesome it is in its own right. Evidence that dates back as far as 1000 BC shows cultivation of this plant and there is also mention of Celery being used in Ancient Egypt as a medicinal plant. ^[2]

It is further noted that Greek athletes were awarded celery leaves to commemorate their win(s). It must have then been regarded as a super-food since way back then.
So, back to all these varieties – What’s the difference and where do they come from? What does this all mean?

Types of Celery

Composed of over thirty varieties of these species of ‘creeping perennials’ from wet places in the Northern Hemisphere, South Africa and Australia. This strain of Celery contains several extremely poisonous plants. There are only two common species in cultivation – OenantheJavanica, and its cultivar ‘Flamingo’. ^[3]

Vietnamese Celery:

This is edible and widely grown as pot herb in Asian countries, where it often occurs as a weed of paddy fields. It is also known to be widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Also known as “can tay” in Vietnamese, this variety is appreciated for its intensely aromatic leaves and slender stalks. Often used in Vietnamese cuisine, it adds a punch of flavor to salads, soups, and stir-fries, distinguishing itself from its counterparts by its potent taste. ^[4]

Australian Celery:

Unique to Australia, this celery variety is similar in appearance to the common Pascal Celery but is adapted to the Australian climate. It’s crunchy, with a slightly sweeter flavor, making it a preferred choice for raw eating in salads as well as in cooked dishes. ^[5]

Pascal Celery

Mentioned earlier, Pascal celery remains a staple in both the culinary and household worlds. Known for its crisp texture and mildly salty taste, it is versatile in use, from enhancing the flavors of a stew to being the star of a crudité platter

Indian Celery

This is a common name for several plants that may refer to Native North America and also India.

Maori Celery

‘Maori’ is derived from the people of New Zealand and means ‘a heap of prickles’. Its name is so derived because of the prickly spikes along the intertwining stalks. This particular Celery is known to have special remedies – especially for women.

Water Celery

Long ribbon like leaves that grow from a root-stock anchored in sediment. This is also noted as an ‘attractive’ plant for ponds and water gardens.After a little history lesson there – we can take a step forward to the present cultures that are admiring Celery, still, these days.
Right off it should be mentioned that Celery holds the World’s Healthiest Food Award for Vitamin K and molybdenum. Vitamin K is an essential vitamin. ^[6] According to WebMd – Vitamin K plays a key role in helping the blood clot, preventing excessive bleeding. There are some that can be at risk of Vitamin K deficiency, such as those with

• Crohn’s disease,
• Some that may take drugs that interfere with Vitamin K absorption,
• Those that are severely malnourished
• Or heavy alcohol drinkers

Of course if you have a deficiency of any kind, always discuss your diet with your doctor – but right here is one super food that may be extra beneficial to your diet. Though some consider this a powerful food that should be consumed daily.

Molybdenum is a little more complex, but just as excellent in itself. It is considered to be a metallic element and reported to be available in natural nitrogen-fixing bacteria. In small amounts, it is also reported as an essential element for the health of animals, plants and humans.

Furthermore, reports claim that molybdenum assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

This is only just the beginning… The list of Super Health Benefits of Celery goes on and on.
Here are fifteen of the most basic reasons to keep this stalk, stocked in your fridge:

1. Celery is full of fiber. As you must know by now, fiber diet is an essential ingredient for digestive health. This is also a known factor in weight loss.

2. This could be listed as number 1 because it’s what people know best about celery – it is also purported to be a negative calorie food, meaning that it takes the body more calories to digest it than the food itself contains.

Don’t forget that there are great weight loss attribution factors in this food. It doesn’t stop here:
3. Plant hormones contained in celery are attributed to calming and soothing the central nervous system.

Here’s Where It Starts to Get Good
4. Celery has blood pressure reducing properties – check out the science here –whfoods.com reports that celery is rich in antioxidant nutrients. These nutrients include manganese, vitamin C and beta-carotene. They further report that the antioxidant properties of celery is mostly due to its high level of phytonutrient content, which has also been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.

Backing up a moment – you’ll note that antioxidants are defined as substances that can inhibit oxidation, especially in the case of food products that have been stored.

A substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products.
Phytonutrients are found in various plants – a substance believed to be beneficial to human health and help to prevent various diseases. ^[7]

Phenolic Antioxidants

• Phenolic Acids – Secondary plant metabolites. Known for their roles in food quality and organoleptic properties… Includes the following acids which offer varieties of health benefits on their own. To briefly state ^[8]
• Caffeic Acid – Effective compound found within makes up an anti-fatigue component. Also stated to be a specific inhibitor of some cancers.
• Caffeoylquinic Acid – has various bioactivities such as antioxidants, antibacterial, anticancer, antihistamine, and other biological effects.
• Cinnamic Acid – an organic compound that makes up taste
• Coumaric Acid – molecular makeup within a plant
• Ferulic Acid – has been shown to be a highly effective topical antioxidant

Flavones – Pigment

• Apigenin – A compound found to reduce anxiety and cause sedation
• Luteolin – A flavonoid with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory features and anti-tumor benefits
• Flavonols – Within the class of Flavonoids however distinguished by their bioactive compounds
• Quercetin – It is noted through the University of Maryland Medical Center that this compound acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, and may help protect against heart disease and cancer.
• Kaempferol – Acts with many diverse physiological activities through both direct and indirect effects.

Dihydro Stilbenoids – Metabolic

• Phytosterols – Steroid compounds similar to cholesterol which occurs in plants.
• Beta-Sitosterol – Scientific studies indicate that this compound consistently improves urinary health in men.
• Furanocoumarins – Organic Chemical Compounds.
• Bergapten – Shown to alter potassium channel currents which cause muscle twitching and cramps
• Psoralen – Could help with psoriasis

Whew – that’s a mouthful! But let’s not forget about those nutrients discussed earlier…

• Vitamin C – Essential in wound healing
• Manganese – This nutrient is known to assist the body with the formation of sex hormones, bones, blood clotting factors and connective tissue. It is also reported to play an essential role in the healthy functioning of both the brain and nerves. Furthermore, it is reported that calcium absorption, the metabolism of carbohydrates and blood sugar level regulation are all supported by manganese. ^[9]
• Beta Carotene –This antioxidant is closely related to vitamin A. It is reported that beta carotene assists with the overall health of the eyes and helps individuals in maintaining healthy skin.

Moving On…
5. Celery seed is used to treat arthritis. Not to mention diseases of the liver and spleen.
6. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center – celery seeds also increase urine, promoting urinary tract health.
These Seeds Are Super Beneficial:
7. Help in the secretion of breast milk.
8. Celery seeds alone have cancer fighting abilitiesActive components that are helpful in fighting cancerous tumors.

Back To the Dietary Benefits:
9. Celery contains no white sugar or chemicals and has a high ratio of nutrition compared to its carbohydrate level. This is a Smart Carb. ^[10]
And The Combination Benefits!

10. Place a celery stick in your bloody Mary for a better digestive experience… don’t forget to eat it when you’re done with the beverage.

11. Remember the fiber component we briefed over earlier – It is stated that “one stalk of celery supplies four percent of the daily value for fiber” (based on a 2000 calorie diet). It’s those phytochemicals too, making important contributions to your digestive system.

12. Helps to maintain regularity. We know this about fiber but this also has to do with the way your system absorbs water – a component celery is known to be high in. This ensures proper stool consistency.

Cardiovascular Support Too?

13. There is interest from researchers related to the cardiovascular benefits of celery states what they have learned in that “oxidative stress and inflammation in the bloodstream are critical problems in the development of many cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis (a disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls) ^[11]

Apparently they’ve seen “these same type of connections between celery flavonoids and decreased risk of cardiovascular inflammation.”

Remember All the Vitamins and That Magnesium

14. Vitamins A & C
Vitamin A is known for its benefit to the eyes and of course we need a daily dose of vitamin C for wound healing and preventing bleeding from capillaries!

15. Magnesium – It is stated that average American diets frequently fail to contain an adequate supply of magnesium. All we need to do is eat more celery – this is a key mineral in human metabolism.
One last benefit – for good measure – the Director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Dr. Alan R. Hirsch says “two pheromones in celery – androstenone and androstenol boost your arousal levels. They are released when you chew on a celery stalk.”

Finally – while it may seem that we’ve covered just about everything there is to know about celery – check out the works cited below… There is plenty of information out there that will clear any confusion you may have. Furthermore, you might learn some benefits specific to your own health.

Conclusion

Celery is more than just a crunch in your salad or a garnish for your Bloody Mary; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition and health benefits that stretches far beyond its humble appearance. From its historical significance as a medicinal plant in ancient civilizations to its modern-day status as a superfood, celery offers a wide range of health advantages, including cardiovascular support, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and vitamins and minerals essential for body function.

The diversity of celery types further enriches its culinary versatility and allows it to be incorporated into various dishes around the world. Whether you’re looking to improve your digestive health, support your cardiovascular system, or simply add more nutrients to your diet, incorporating celery into your daily meals can be a smart and beneficial choice. With its unique combination of health benefits, celery deserves recognition and a permanent spot in our diets.