Celery is one of those vegetables we chop up and toss into soups, stews, stuffing and casserole dishes to help add some crunch and flavor. In addition, adding celery to these dishes provides our bodies with some nourishing nutrients that can help keep the immune system and prevent our bodies from developing cancers cells.
Appearance, Texture and Flavor of Celery
Celery is a vegetable with join stalks and a leafy top. It is a light green color and is crispy and crunchy in texture with a unique fresh tart and tangy lettuce like flavor. The stalks of the celery break off easily and are about a foot long each. The stalks can be eaten raw with vegetable dip or cooked in with meals.
Facts about Celery
Celery originated in the Mediterranean thousands of years ago. Now farmers all over the world grow celery in hot beds or garden beds where the soil is rich and well drained. However, celery grows best when the weather is cool because heat can kill it. Celery is usually ready to harvest 4 to 5 months after planting it into the gardens. When celery is ready to be harvested it is cut below the soil down by the roots so the celery stalks stay together. Once the celery is harvested it is washed with water to remove any dirt or insects and placed in the refrigerator until it is ready to be used. Celery can stay fresh for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, but is best to use when it is fresh because it can loose its nutrient content and crispness the longer it isn’t used.
Nutrients in Celery
Vitamins C, E, B complex, K, and A
Potassium
Fiber
Calcium
Phosphorus
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Amino Acids
Molybdenum
Sodium
Zinc
Selenium
Sulfur
Inositol
Fatty acids
Chlorine
Health Benefits of Celery
Celery is a vegetable that is fantastic for lowing high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which makes this vegetable perfect for preventing heart disease and heart attacks. If you suffer from urinary tract disorders or infections celery is good to have as a healthy snack to help flush uric acid and bacteria out of the urinary tract naturally. Celery can also help those of you suffering from inflammatory disease can find relieve from your inflammation by adding celery to your daily diet because it contains anti-inflammatory properties. Celery even contains high amounts of vitamins which are essential for keeping the immune system, nervous system, respiratory system and cardiovascular system healthy and strong. I personally add celery to homemade soups to help keep the inflammations down in my airways so I have less asthma attacks and I am able to breathe easier. Celery is also good to eat to because the nutrients in it helps prevent health conditions such as constipation, the cold and flu, joint pains, and migraine headaches. If your looking for away to prevent cancers, eating celery and drinking celery juice can do just that due to the high amount of antioxidants in it that help reduce free radical cells in the body that cause cancers. In addition, the nutrients in celery can help produce plenty of white bloods cells when you are ill so you have a better chance at getting better sooner.
Precautions with Celery
Celery has been known to cause skin sensitivity to the sun when eaten in high amounts. Women who are pregnant should avoid eating high amounts of celery because it is known to cause miscarriages. Some people are allergic to celery so be careful serving it at parties on vegetable platters. Overall, celery is safe when used in proper amounts to help prevent and treat common health conditions and keep the body healthy naturally.