The benefits and harm of stalked celery
It has long been known that fruits and vegetables are among the most healthy foods for humans.Fortunately, the variety of these healthy products is very wide, everyone can choose a vegetable or fruit to their taste and “wallet”. One of the incredibly useful vegetables is stalked celery.
Calorie, composition and glycemic index
Celery is a two-year plant crop that has been used by people since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians and Romans used the plant as a medicine, making all sorts of preparations and decoctions from it. This vegetable was added to food somewhat later, however, very soon it gained immense popularity.
In ancient times, this vegetable was called "a cure for all diseases," and this is true. The plant is used for prevention in the treatment of many diseases. Celery is recognized as an effective anticancer drug, because it can significantly slow down the progression of the disease.
Useful and fit for eating whole celery. All its parts (stems, root, leaves) are useful and applicable in cooking.
Celery can be:
- leaf;
- petiolate, which is grown only for the stems and leaves;
- root vegetables.
When growing root plants, stems and leaves can also be eaten, but at the same time, the growth of tubers is noticeably reduced, they can grow smaller in size.
How is stalk celery different from other species of this culture? Root celery is absent in root vegetables, only stems (about three centimeters thick). They are the part of the vegetable, which is widely used in the preparation of various dishes.
The color of the stalks may be white, pink, red. The taste of the plant stem is very pleasant, juicy. Stem celery is more versatile in cooking, can be used in both salty and sweet dishes.
When growing leaf varieties you need to know that they can be eaten in 2-3 months. Such plants tolerate temperature drops, are resistant to cold and insufficient moisture.
Petiolous plant species are not so popular, so they are grown much less often. Root varieties are also more popular and in the opinion of many gardeners, the root effect is not inferior in its curative properties to ginseng.
Green fragrant leaves for the season can be cut from the plant several times. They are very tasty fresh, they can also be dried for the winter. Planted for the winter plants also for homemade seasoning. To do this, cut the greens from the bush, cut into small pieces and lay out for drying on a baking sheet. Dried plants at a temperature of 22-26 degrees. After the greens become completely dry, it is removed and placed in a glass container or paper bag. Dried herbs are added in winter to different dishes.
Many harvest the leaves and stems, sprinkling them with salt, but during such storage harmful substances can be formed due to the green nitrates. For harvesting root crops, they are dug out of the ground and left on the tubers for 3 cm of greenery. Root vegetables are stored in wooden boxes in cellars at temperatures up to +5 degrees.
For the human body, this vegetable is of great benefit. It is an excellent product for people who are overweight or who want to keep fit. Celery contains: very few calories: about 100 grams about 18 calories, does not contain fat at all, has a small amount of carbohydrates and proteins. In this way, BJU celery is an ideal option for losing weight.
This healthy vegetable has a low glycemic index. There is an opinion that the human body spends more calories on digestion of celery than it is contained in vegetables, as a result of which, the caloric content of this product is called “negative”.
Eating this vegetable, even in large quantities, it is impossible to gain excess weight, you only need to know about the contraindications and if they exist - do not ignore them.
Beneficial features
The composition of this cultivated plant contains a huge amount of vitamins and trace elements that are vital for the human body, a large amount of vitamins, group B, and a high content of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. And this is not all the beneficial substances that are present in this juicy vegetable.
Such a high content of nutrients in celery has a very beneficial effect on human health. The benefits of this vegetable for the treatment and prevention of diseases, as well as maintaining a healthy body tone is very large.
Celery has a beneficial effect on the digestive system. Due to the content of a large amount of dietary fiber, the metabolic processes in the body are regulated, the level of cholesterol goes down and the bowels work better.
Since the human body is a single system, the improvement of the gastrointestinal tract improves the resilience of the human body to disease and increase energy levels and vitality.
Just one hundred grams of celery stalks per day replenish the person's daily rate of vitamin C and almost the full daily rate of vitamin A and beta-carotene. Since vitamin C is the main helper of immunity, it is safe to say that regular consumption of celery stalks helps the human body resist diseases.
Celery juice has tonic properties, it can be used by both adults and children. For the consumption of juice in it add boiled water. For 10 parts of water you need to take 1 part of celery juice. Drink this tonic drink for 60 minutes before eating. You need to drink 250 ml of food 3 times a day during the week. If desired, the treatment can be repeated, but you need to take a break for 2-3 days.
Valuable vegetable is used for sleep disorders. For this vegetable broth is used in small quantities before bedtime. Celery celery has a sedative effect, can reduce nervous tension, irritability. To normalize sleep, you need to take before bedtime for 1 tbsp. spoon freshly squeezed juice.
These properties of the vegetable due to its high content of magnesium. The deficiency of this trace element in the body can lead to all kinds of disorders and diseases. Using celery in sufficient quantities to really get your daily rate of magnesium and prevent possible violations. Celery helps with diseases such as osteochondrosis. To do this, it is used in the form of juice, three times a day, one spoonful.
Since the most succulent parts of celery are the stems, it can be argued that precisely the celery celery is the best aid in the treatment with the use of juice.
For women, this vegetable is also particularly useful. Celery juice has analgesic properties and is recommended to be used to reduce menstrual pain. In this case, the juice should be drunk an hour before meals in the amount of 100 - 150 ml twice a day.
For men's health, it is also incredibly useful. By consuming celery juice, it is possible to prevent many problems, as well as to maintain and strengthen men's health. To do this, it is recommended to use freshly squeezed celery juice. Since ancient times, a useful vegetable was used to prepare a drink that has a beneficial effect on male power, increased potency. The recipe is the most useful for enhancing potency, for the preparation of which you need to take:
- 50 g apples;
- 100 g of pear;
- 200 g celery.
It is necessary to take a juicer and squeeze the juice from fruits and vegetables. Take this drink in the evening for 2 hours before bedtime. You should make such a drink daily. The course of treatment is 7-10 days.
In case of adenoma, it is recommended to prepare a medicine consisting of celery juice mixed with honey in equal proportions. Store the healing mixture in the refrigerator and take an hour before meals, one tablespoon three times a day.
Fruit, for example, a pear or an apple, can be a useful and tasty addition.Freshly squeezed juice from celery, pear and apple will become not only a useful drink, but also practically a dessert.
With diabetes and liver disease, celery can also help. He is able to purify the blood and reduce its glucose level. Also this juicy vegetable has a positive effect on the heart system and is able to lower blood pressure.
Celery celery has a considerable amount of sodium. It is very important to know people suffering from salt deposits. Sodium deficiency in the body leads to a deterioration of the flexibility of the joints, discomfort in the knees, which can be called "creaking." The situation may be aggravated by a large amount of calcium in the body and sodium deficiency. Celery is also suitable for solving this problem.
There is a special prescription and course of treatment. To prepare a recipe of celery celery for the treatment of this disease, you must prepare a mixture of celery, lemon and honey milled through a meat grinder. This mixture must be stored in the refrigerator and consumed in a spoon at least one hour before meals.
It is believed that celery can be a good helper in getting rid of kidney stones. However, in this case, apply any recipes from this vegetable not recommended without consulting with your doctor, as the size and location of stones play a very large role in the choice of treatment method. For nephritis and other kidney diseases, it is recommended to drink one teaspoon of juice 2 or 3 times a day before meals.
In order to preserve the beneficial properties of this fragrant vegetable, it can be dried. So, the leaves and cuttings are cut and dried on a baking sheet, then poured into a clean, dry container and used as seasoning for dishes. When dried, a vegetable loses a certain percentage of its beneficial properties, but even in this form it is able to benefit the human body.
Harm and contraindications
It should be remembered that there are contraindications to the use of this valuable vegetable, although they are few, but they cannot be ignored:
- It is not recommended to use celery in acute forms of gastritis, as the vegetable contains a large amount of acid. Due to the presence of vitamin C, irritation of the gastric mucosa is possible if consumed in large quantities of vegetables;
- varicose veins also limit celery consumption to a minimum;
- A large amount of fiber may actively affect the intestinal walls, increasing its peristalsis;
- It is not recommended to use celery in pregnant women in the last trimester and when breastfeeding.
Individual intolerance is possible for any product, even if the product itself does not appear to be allergenic. Therefore, using a new product for the first time, you should observe the measure, take a small amount and observe the reaction of the body. If no allergic reactions have occurred and there are no contraindications, then celery can and should be eaten.
Although this vegetable is a very valuable and useful plant, it should not be consumed for a long time without interruption. It should be limited to people with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
Application for weight loss
For those who want to lose weight, consider separately the topic, why celery is the main assistant and doctor. First of all, because the vegetable is incredibly low-calorie. Gain extra pounds on this product is impossible, no matter what quantity was used. Use of celery in the diet is recommended by many nutritionists. The main advantage of this product is the ability to speed up metabolism.
It plays a very important role in losing weight. Due to the use of vegetables, it is possible to gently clean the stomach and intestines from toxins and food, because with a full digestive tract it is impossible to achieve a flat stomach and thin waist. The expression “press is being made in the kitchen” is popular among athletes, and this is true. And celery is an active assistant in the formation of the press.
Even with obesity, this product is effective.Especially useful juice from it. You can add any other juicy vegetables and fruits to the celery, prepare juices. Eating them and observing a diet with a calorie deficit can achieve excellent results in losing weight.
This product is able to dull the feeling of hunger for a while. This is very important for people who have decided to lose weight, since "breakdown" is a fairly common concept for those who follow a diet. Just a couple of stems of the plant between the main meals will create a feeling of fullness and help to avoid overeating.
Recipes
The undoubted advantage of this vegetable is that it can be used in many recipes. Delicious combination of celery and apple. To cook such a dish is enough to take:
- one apple;
- celery;
- parsley;
- lemon juice - 2 3 tbsp. spoons for salad dressing;
- 20 g low-fat sour cream (optional).
In dietary dishes you should not add fat sour cream and mayonnaise.
Since celery has a neutral taste, it can be used in recipes with salty foods. A great addition it will be to lean meat, preferably chicken or turkey. Cooking such a dish is not at all difficult. For this you need:
- cook poultry meat and let it cool;
- after cooling it must be finely chopped;
- wash the celery stalks and chop them too;
- refuel dressing.
A delicious dressing for this salad will be a mixture of French mustard, olive oil and lemon juice. All ingredients in a small amount should be mixed and fill the dish with meat and celery.
There are also more complex recipes with celery, which require more products. For example, for a vegetable salad for weight loss you will need:
- one carrot;
- a small piece of turnip;
- 1 part celery;
- dill and parsley;
- 1 tbsp. spoon of vegetable oil;
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
After washing, all vegetables should be cut into cubes, season with a small amount of vegetable oil and lemon juice, then mix.
Perfectly combines this vegetable with citrus. You can cook a very tasty, dietary salad. To do this, chop and mix celery stalks, apple, carrot and orange. This salad is a great helper in losing weight.
In addition to salads and dishes, celery stalks are commonly used in juices and smoothies. The juicer or blender will be the necessary helpers in this business. Variations of celery drinks are varied. You can cook them only from celery stalks, or add apples, oranges, greens, lemon juice. Celery with cucumber will be an excellent option for a combination of vegetables. Various seeds can be added to the smoothie:
- chia;
- flax;
- amaranth.
This will increase the amount of nutrients in the drink several times.
Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg can be added in small quantities to smoothies or fruit salads with celery.
There is a huge amount of celery recipes. Following the taste preferences and goals, you can choose the most suitable and prepare them. Most often, this vegetable is consumed fresh, therefore, cooking does not take much time.
In season, this vegetable is quite affordable, which allows it to be consumed regularly and saturate the body with useful vitamins and trace elements! The benefits of this vegetable are indisputable. It is necessary to include it in your diet, plant it and grow it in your garden, or buy it in a store so that you can get the necessary substances in celery all year round.
For information on how to prepare stalked celery for the winter and its benefits, see the following video.