The benefits of celery have been known since antiquity. He was credited with not only medicinal, but also magical properties. There was a sign that if you hang root crops over the entrance to the house, then there will always be happiness and prosperity in the house. Celery was imported to Russia during the reign of Catherine II. Since then, this healthy vegetable has gained well-deserved popularity.
Chemical composition of celery roots
Celery root vegetable is rich in such components as:
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)... Promotes tissue regeneration, improves blood clotting, increases immunity to infectious diseases, strengthens blood vessels, helps in the process of skin regeneration and strengthening teeth and bones.
- Retinol (vitamin A)... Participates in the formation of new cells, slows down the aging of the body, accelerates recovery from respiratory infections, measles, herpes, infections of the digestive system and urinary tract.
- Thiamin (vitamin B1)... It normalizes the brain, improves memory, stimulates the heart muscle, improves appetite, slows down the aging of the body, soothes toothache. It stimulates the growth of muscles and bones, eliminates motion sickness. Reduces the effects of tobacco and alcohol on the body.
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)... It is necessary to improve the functioning of the thyroid gland, the growth of nails and hair, and to maintain healthy skin. Reduces the effect of toxic substances on the lungs and respiratory tract. Reduces eye fatigue and improves visual acuity. Accelerates healing in case of tissue damage. Improves the functioning of the nervous system. Strengthens the immune system, participates in the metabolism.
- Nicotinic acid (vitamin PP)... Helps prevent heart attack, stroke, migraine. Protects against blood clots and diabetes. Normalizes the work of the liver, stomach. Improves tissue growth, participates in the creation of hormonal levels. It removes cholesterol, promotes fat metabolism.
Root celery contains:
- carbohydrates. They are a source of energy.
- proteins. Serve as a building material for building tissues and cells.
- fats. Forms protective shells of organs.
- potassium. Maintaining blood pressure, regulates the heartbeat, improves kidney function, normalizes bowel function.
- magnesium. It removes toxins, improves blood flow to the heart, relaxes muscles. Lack of magnesium leads to excessive fatigue, growth retardation, tachycardia, insomnia.
- phosphorus. High concentration in bones. A deficiency in the body leads to hormonal disorders.
The calorie content of the root crop is 34 kcal per 100 g:
- protein - 1.3 grams;
- fats - 0.3 grams;
- carbohydrates - 6.5 grams.
Vitamins and calorie content of stems
Celery stalks contain vitamins, macro and microelements:
- ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
- nicotinic acid (vitamin PP);
- alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E);
- folic acid (vitamin B9);
- riboflavin (vitamin B2);
- pyridoxine (vitamin B6);
- thiamin (vitamin B1);
- retinol equivalent (vitamin A);
- beta carotene;
- phosphorus (P);
- potassium (K);
- magnesium (Mg);
- sodium (Na);
- calcium (Ca)
- iron (Fe).
Calorie stalks per 100 grams is:
- proteins - 0.9 grams;
- carbohydrates - 2.1 grams;
- fat - 0.1 grams;
- dietary fiber - 1.8 grams;
- water - 94.1 grams;
- ash - 1 gram.
The daily norm of celery for a healthy person is no more than 300 grams.
You can eat it raw, boiled or baked (root vegetable). The stems can be fried or stewed, and the leaves can be added to the salad. Celery seeds can be used as a condiment.
Benefits of celery root
This vegetable is not only a useful product, but also has healing properties. Celery root has the following beneficial properties:
- Due to the high content of biologically active substances and essential oils, it has a good effect on the body when overworked, increases efficiency... Relieves nervous tension, increases stability in stressful situations, improves sleep.
- For rheumatism, ulcers, respiratory tract diseases, neuralgic diseases, root tincture helps well.
- Due to the high concentration of vitamins and microelements, with regular consumption, improves the condition of lips, skin, hair, eyes.
- When added to food, salt can be avoided. Celery significantly improves the taste of food and is suitable for people on a salt-free diet.
- The root vegetable has diuretic properties. Used to prevent bladder inflammation and to treat kidney disease.
- Increases male potency, prevent inflammation of the prostate gland and diseases of the genitourinary system.
- It is recommended to be added to food for children over the age of 1 year to prevent vitamin deficiency.
- When you consume 100 grams in the daily diet of fresh root, the pressure decreases in hypertension.
- Due to its high iron content the condition improves with anemia, anemia, exhaustion of the body.
- Due to the presence of fiber, it promotes weight loss.
- Strengthens the nervous system.
- It removes salts from the body, ensuring joint mobility.
- Stimulates memory, concentrates attention.
- Strengthens the immune system with diseases.
Useful properties of stems and leaves
- Cleans the body of toxins;
- Prevents the progression of cancer;
- Strengthening the immune system;
- Reduces inflammation in rheumatism and arthritis, reduces swelling and joint pain;
- Strengthens the nervous system;
- In the treatment of genitourinary diseases, it is used as a diuretic;
- Regulates blood pressure;
- Improves liver function;
- Reduces blood cholesterol;
- Stimulating digestion while losing weight;
- Increases the energy of sexual desire in women;
- Prevents the protrusion of blood vessels after long walking in heels;
- The high fiber content will relieve constipation, normalizes bowel function.
The benefits of juice
You can use the juice only if there is sand in the kidneys. In the presence of stones, juice cannot be taken! The juice should be drunk in small sips an hour before meals 2-3 times a day.
- Increases tone organism;
- Normalizes acid regeneration;
- Reduces the desire for fatty foods and sweets;
- Helps eliminate cellulite, swelling, excess weight;
- Calms the nervous system;
- Removes sand from the kidneys;
- Removes redness of the eyes;
- Use as anesthetic and antiseptic with wounds and cuts;
- In cosmetology, it is added to face masks. It has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.
The benefits of seeds
- Seed infusion reduces pain during the menstrual cycle;
- They help to normalize hormonal levels in women with menopause, improve mood, raise tone.
During the period of the menstrual cycle, it is recommended to use only the infusion of seeds. Eating infusion of stems, roots and leaves can cause profuse bleeding.
Harm
Despite all the useful properties, celery also has contraindications. It is strictly forbidden to eat it:
- Sick, suffering epilepsy... Provokes an exacerbation of the disease;
- May be harmful with high acidity, ulcers, gastritis;
- If you have varicose veins;
- Kidney stones, The movement of stones is activated;
- During pregnancy... Can provoke early miscarriage and late premature birth;
- When breastfeeding. Celery makes milk production more difficult, and a higher content of essential oils can cause intestinal colic in the baby. The presence of a specific taste can cause a baby to give up breast.
Cooking applications
The use of this vegetable in cooking is varied:
- greens are added to salads, decorate dishes;
- used as a side dish;
- celery soup is used for dietary meals;
- dried root vegetables are used to make a seasoning for meat and vegetable dishes;
- vitamin cocktails are prepared from the juice, used in the preparation of sauces;
- added when canning.
In cosmetology
Essential oil made from celery seeds is used:
- in aromatherapy;
- when performing massage;
- for taking baths (has a relaxing and calming effect);
- added to the cream (whitening effect);
- frozen celery juice is applied to wipe the face... Has anti-inflammatory effect, tones the skin, reduces the appearance of acne.
- for oily skin, celery is infused with boiling water for 4 hours, filtered and used as a tonic to wipe the face.
- a mask of green celery and egg white applied to the face for 5-10 minutes will significantly narrow the pores;
- rejuvenating mask for aging skin prepared from 50 milliliters of milk and 1 tablespoon of chopped celery. Bring to a boil, moisten the gauze in this solution, and then apply it on the face for 15 minutes. The remains of the mask are removed with a cotton swab.
In medicine
It is widely used in medicine:
- reduces pain and inflammation in stomach ulcers;
- apply with malaria;
- for the treatment of urticaria, shingles;
- with inflammation of the liver, kidneys, bladder;
- children to improve their appetite;
- prevention of atherosclerosis;
- as a laxative;
- for the normalization of water-salt metabolism in the elderly;
- as a choleretic agent;
- to enhance performance;
- to improve brain function.
Celery is called a storehouse of nutrients for a reason. However, one should not forget that a measure is needed in everything. The daily dose should not exceed 150 grams. Reasonable use of this vegetable will bring great benefits to the body.