Health Benefits of Celery and Tips

Dieters tend to eat lots of celery because it is low in calories. Two stalks of celery contain less than 10 calories (celery is about 95% water by weight), yet their fiber content makes them very filling; the serving also delivers small amounts of vitamin C and some folate. Although it is not very high in nutrients, it adds a unique flavor to a variety of foods—from soups to salads and poultry stuffing.

Health Benefits

Helps reduce weight.
The fiber in celery helps induce feelings of satiety, leading you to eat less.

Aids with high blood pressure.
Celery is a good source of potassium, a mineral that aids muscle function and offsets some of sodium’s damaging effects on blood pressure.

Old School
Chewing celery consumes more calories than it provides.

New Wisdom
It’s an urban myth that celery has “negative” calories but, with less than 10 calories per serving, it’s great to munch on to lose weight.

May help treat certain inflammatory conditions. Herbalists have advocated fresh celery and celery seed tea to treat gout and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, as well as high blood pressure and edema. Studies indicate that phthalides in celery may reduce the body’s levels of certain hormones that constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure. Phytochemicals found in celery help reduce production of certain prostaglandins, body chemicals that can cause inflammation.

May help reduce the risk of certain cancers. Phytochemicals in celery help destroy benzopyrene, a carcinogen that occurs in foods cooked at a high temperature.

Eating Tips
• Add celery leaves to tossed salads.
• Cut ribs into pieces and fill with reduced-fat refried beans and a drizzle of salsa.
• Sauté chunks of celery, carrot, and onion with sage.

Buying Tips
• Look for stalks that are light green, crisp, and firm without any bruises.
• Leaves should be a uniform color. Storing Tip
• Refrigerate celery in a loosely sealed plastic wrap for about a week.

QUICK TIP:

Use the leaves
Celery leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, containing more calcium, iron, potassium, beta carotene, and vitamin C than the stalks. Save the leaves for soups, salads, and other dishes enhanced by the flavor of celery.