Most people ignore celery as it is plain, contains an abundance of water and doesn’t exactly satiate. It is time to change how we view celery. This vegetable is loaded with important nutrients, affordable for all budgets and can be used in a wide variety of meals.
Celery even has essential minerals along with key phytonutrients that have the potential to prevent the growth of breast cancer cells. Let’s take a closer look at this surprisingly beneficial vegetable.
Celery’s Nutritional Merits
Celery is related to fennel and parsley, each of which is underused. There is a common misconception celery and similar veggies are merely culinary afterthoughts to be diced up and added for an extra crunch or even to serve as a plate decoration.
The time has come for celery to be featured directly in the culinary spotlight. Celery contains vitamins A, C, K, B2 and B6. This crunchy vegetable also features a ton of fiber, calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous and copper.
Celery also has distinct properties that qualify it as an anti-inflammatory and super antioxidant. Studies have shown there are nearly 12 antioxidant phenolic nutrients in celery that guard against damage to blood vessels, cells and organs.
Having Stomach Problems? Try Celery
If you have gastrointestinal discomfort, chop up some celery, dip it into your favorite sauce/dressing and relief might soon arrive. Celery alleviates gut discomfort as it has pectin polysaccharides that settle the inflammation in the digestive system.
It has also been determined celery’s flavonoids protect the digestive tract’s lining against the formation of ulcers. Celery intake can even combat infections in the stomach, improve liver functionality and enhance heart health.
Celery’s Role in Preventing Cancer
Celery certainly seems like a basic vegetable at first glance. It is thin, light in color and somewhat flavorless. However, those who dress celery up with a dip or mix it into their meals are taking advantage of a powerful cancer fighter. Celery is laden with cancer-blasting substances including two distinct flavonoids known as luteolin and apigenin.
Apigenin is rife with anti-carcinogenic properties. This unique flavonoid can even control the proliferation of cancerous cells by way of altering the cellular response to DNA damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, etc.
University of Missouri researchers have determined celery might qualify as an important treatment for those suffering from breast cancer. Celery has the inherent ability to reduce the vascular growth factor, a mechanism essential for the creation of new blood vessels in growing kids.
Additional studies have shown flavonoids in celery also contribute to preventing the onset and spread of breast cancer as it naturally alters cancer cells as well as the mechanisms that promote the formation of those cells.
How to Make Celery a Part of Your Meals
It is no secret celery is fairly bland when consumed on its own. Dip your celery in hummus, bean dip, bread dip, peanut butter or another sauce/dressing. Chop up celery to give your salad an additional crunch. Celery is also the perfect addition for just about every type of soup and stew. Consider steaming your celery for maximum nutritional benefit. Celery retains upwards of 90 percent of its antioxidants after steaming.
Fill up your celery stalks with everything from diced black olives to cheese spreads, minced carrots and artichoke hearts, etc. Some enjoy stuffing celery with peanut butter and topping this tasty delight with some dried cranberries.
Consider cutting your celery stalks into curls for added visual appeal. Simply use your vegetable peeler to create thin celery pieces. These pieces will have a naturally curly shape that proves that much more appetizing. Spread the celery curls across your salads, soups, stews and even your grilled dishes. Curly celery adorning grilled chicken, steak or fish will provide visual flair, a nutritional boost and an added crunch that proves quite fulfilling.
Feature Celery in a Creative Side Dish
Celery can also be used in a number of side dishes. As an example, consider chopping your celery and sautéing it with red bell peppers and sweet onions. Add some fennel, fresh dill and sprinkle on some lemon juice. This tasty side dish will prove satisfying to the eyes as well as the taste buds. Your celery-pepper-onion side dish will also benefit your body with its abundance of vitamin C and fiber.
So go ahead and add celery to your grocery list. Buy celery at least a couple times each month. Keep it toward the front of the fridge so you don’t forget about it. Make a commitment to infusing celery into your weekly meals and your body will reap the benefits.
