If root celery It only appears in your kitchen when you’re cooking Sunday broth, it’s time to change that. This vegetable is cheap, low-calorie and has a great effect on the body. Check, what other properties does root celery have and in what form is it the healthiest?
Braces It was already known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans; interestingly, they considered it an aphrodisiac. It appeared on Polish tables only at the beginning of the 16th century. As is widely known, Italian food was brought to our country by the queen from Italy Bona Sforza, this also applies to celery root. Initially, it was cultivated only in the gardens of nobles and monasteries. This vegetable belongs to the Apiaceae family and is now commonly used for cooking and is also used in natural medicine.
Celery is also a great source of dietary fiber, which perfectly supports digestion and improves intestinal function. and takes care of their microflora. Moreover, products rich in fiber influence the satiety of the meal, which reduces the desire to snack, which makes the weight loss process much easier. Fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Additionally celery is a low-calorie vegetable, it contains only about 30 kcal per 100 g and has a low glycemic index (35 GI). Therefore, it is also great for people who want to lose extra weight.
This vegetable also contains valuable antioxidants that protect the body against the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. Additionally, they have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. According to Marcin Szałaj from the websitezdrowie.interia.pl: “When it comes to the elimination of free radicals, i.e. the anti-cancer process, psoralen, a member of the furanocoumarins, which is present in large amounts in root celery, plays a significant role.”
The compounds contained in celery help fight inflammation in the body, thus reducing the risk of many metabolic diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension.. People who want to take care of their cardiovascular system should include celery in their diet, as it reduces the level of “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood and triglycerides. Due to these properties, celery is perfect for the diet of people over 60 years of age who often struggle with cardiovascular diseases. It is also worth adding that root celery has a diuretic effect and also has a positive effect on kidney function.
In addition, root celery contains, among others:
- vitamin Cwhich supports immunity, is a natural antioxidant, and also improves iron absorption and collagen synthesis,
- B vitaminsincl vitamin B6which improves immunity, participates in the production of red blood cells, supports the circulatory and nervous systems,
- vitamin Kinfluences the proper condition of the skeletal system and also plays an important role in blood clotting,
- potassiumhelps regulate blood pressure, supports maintaining proper water and electrolyte balance,
- calcium and phosphorusstrengthen bones and teeth,
- magnesiumcontributes to the proper functioning of the heart, brain and muscles,
- zincsupports immunity, the hormonal system and fertility.
Although root celery is very healthy, it is worth remembering that there are some contraindications to its consumption. We are talking about people who struggle with food allergies.
Celery can be eaten raw and will work great in salads for dinner. One of the simplest and healthiest options will be those made from old celery, carrots and apples. To this mixture, just add some olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. You can also add chopped parsley. Mix everything and it’s ready, you get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.
This vegetable is also very suitable for cooking, frying or baking, you can smuggle it in in vegetable soups, stews, or to make oven fries from it.
Interesting a celery dish is celeriacwhich tastes a bit like the popular Christmas Eve carp. Just cook al dente centimeter slices of celery in broth with spices (bay leaves, allspice, coriander seeds and soy sauce). Then dry them, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, wrap them in nori, soak them in milk and coat them in flour. Finally, fry the celery prepared in this way in a pan until golden brown and serve with your favorite additions, e.g. potatoes and salad.
If you want to maintain a healthy diet, it is worth including celery in your diet. It won’t break your budget, it’s full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and it goes well with many dishes.
Sources: Terazgotuje.pl, dietetyki.org
