Not all vegetables are created equal. Some are inherently more nutritious than others. Like the wonder veggie, we all know as celery (scientific name: Apium graveolens). Celery is a plant native to North Africa and some parts of the Mediterranean. Ancient literature says that celery was first cultivated for medicinal purposes. It was used by Ayurvedic physicians to treat different kinds of conditions such as flu, arthritis, liver ailments, and poor digestion.
Today, celery is one of the most widely grown and consumed vegetables in the world. It’s also the favorite vegetable juice by many people including famous celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Miranda Kerr. According to Completing My Home, juicing might be an excellent approach to maintain your motivation.
Celery Juice: The Decade’s Favorite Juice
Celery juice is a trend taking the world by storm. It is made by juicing or blending the stalks of the celery plant. Not the leaves or the roots, but its stalks which is the most eaten part of the plant. People seldom eat the leaves, but occasionally you can find them used in salads and the seeds are made into spices.
Many people choose celery juice for the valuable nutrients that have beneficial effects on our body. The extract is rich in luteolin, apigenin, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. Since celery is predominantly water, it’s also a great way to stay hydrated throughout the day. Furthermore, celery is great for dieters for its low calorie, high fiber content.
Many people believe that celery juice is a healing tonic that has numerous health benefits. You might have heard of Anthony Williams, and his book Celery Juice: The Most Powerful Medicine of Our Time Healing Millions Worldwide which discusses how regularly drinking celery juice can remove pathogens in our body and strengthen our bile. He also believes that juicing celery is much more beneficial than consuming it fully. So what are some of the most common health benefits of celery?
The Key Benefits Of Celery Juice
Wondering what’s the hype about celery? More than just green leafy vegetables, celery is packed with health benefits that are good for our bodies. Here are some of them:
Promotes Good Bone Health
Vitamin K plays an important role in bone health. It works with calcium to help us build stronger bone density and reduce the chances of getting osteoporosis. Celery is packed with vitamin K, which is essential to our bone structure and cartilage. It also aids in the absorption of iron and promotes wound healing by preventing blood clotting.
Prevents Premature Aging
The fountain of youth may just be a myth, but celery isn’t. Who doesn’t want to look young forever? Celery is filled with antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds that prevent cellular damage which causes premature aging and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Antioxidants also boost the immune system which gives you stronger protection against cold and a variety of other diseases. Celery also contains Quercetin, a flavonoid that has been shown to combat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Improves Digestion
Celery juice is a refreshing low-calorie drink that’s full of fiber. It can help improve your digestion by increasing circulation in your intestines. Many people drink celery juice to cure constipation and bloating. Since celery is alkaline, it can help neutralize the stomach and prevent acidity.
But celery isn’t just praised for its fiber content, celery is also very delicious and hydrating. One stalk of celery contains just 7 calories and packs as much as two ounces of water. This means that eating six stalks is equal to drinking a cup and a half of water!
Lowers Cholesterol Level
Researchers from the University of Chicago Medical Center found that celery can lower blood pressure by relaxing smooth muscles that line blood vessels. High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attack. By drinking celery juice regularly you can improve your heart health and reduce chances of heart failure.
Weight Loss Benefits
In order to stay in shape, a good diet and exercise is a must. However, if you want to speed up your weight loss, you can try drinking celery juice. Drinking celery juice before meals is an amazing way to lose weight. Due to its filling fiber content, you’ll be less likely to overeat during meals.
Some people drink celery at the start of the day. They claim it helps them feel full for longer and avoid unhealthy snacking throughout the day. Celery juice is also a highly recommended pre-diabetic drink as it contains the right amount of fiber to prevent diabetes. It also has a very low glycemic index which keeps your blood sugar in check.
Controls Blood Pressure
Celery works wonders in lowering blood pressure. A study has found that celery seeds contain an anti-hypertensive property that can control blood pressure if consumed regularly. It also contains phytochemicals that relax the tissues of the artery walls and increases blood flow resulting in an improved flow of potassium and calcium in cells.
How To Properly Prepare Celery Juice
Juicing celery is a great way to consume all its essential nutrients. Unlike eating the veggie raw, you will consume a lot more by blending or juicing it. Here’s a brief guide on how to properly prepare a healthy celery drink.
First, cut off the base and top of the stalk and rinse thoroughly in a colander. Using a juicer for greens, feed celery stalks in the tube. Roughly two bunches of celery can already fill 2 cups of juice, you can drink the first serving and save the other one for later. Although juices are best drank right away, it doesn’t hurt to store them for a few hours until consumption.
When juicing, make sure to use a high-speed blender in the process. Do not put a lot of water as to not dilute the juice. If you want a more flavorful celery juice, try to blend it with other ingredients such as lemon, honey, carrots, or cucumbers. Experts also advise of drinking celery juice on an empty stomach to receive its healing benefits.
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