Health Benefits of Celery

The other day my husband and I were making vegetable juice and he asked me what the health benefits of celery were. I had to admit, I knew celery was healthy, but couldn’t come up with the reasons off the top of my head. I decided to do some research. Turns out, celery is not just good for carrying peanut butter to your mouth! It has a host of health benefits!

Celery is packed with amazing nutrients!

• Celery is anti-inflammatory. When your body’s mineral balance gets out of whack, it can create inflammation, especially the sodium/potassium ratio. When get plenty of sodium in our diets, but usually not enough potassium. Celery is high in potassium, so it helps to keep inflammation down in your body and flush out toxins. It also contains a molecule called apigenin that reduces inflammation and restores immune balance.
• Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, celery is also good for gout and arthritis. It helps remove the uric acid crystals that build up in the joints of those suffering with gout.
• Celery seed helps lower blood pressure, and celery may also have the same effects. Celery contains phthalides, which are compounds that actually lower the stress hormones in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to relax and reduces your blood pressure.
• Celery helps keep your cholesterol levels down. In studies done with rats, it reduced their LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. The phthalides mentioned above actually stimulate your body to secrete more bile, which in turn work to reduce cholesterol levels.
• Celery helps prevent heart disease.
• Celery contains flavonoids that may help prevent cancer. It also helps make cancer cells more susceptible to attack from chemicals used in cancer treatment. It also stimulates the immune system’s white blood cells to fight and kill cancer.
• The apigenin mentioned above may also help with nerve growth, learning, and memory.
• Celery seeds are anti-bacterial and antiseptic and have long been used in this way. It is also a diuretic, so its good for people with bladder issues, such as bladder infections.
• Celery is high in vitamin C, so it is great for boosting the immune system. Eat plenty of it during cold and flu season!