Nutrition value:
37% Vit K,9% Vit A,9% Folate,7% Potassium
Planting Months:
October
Celery is one of the very low-calorie herbaceous plants. Its leaves carry only 16 calories per 100 g weight and contain lots of non-soluble fiber (roughage) which when combined with other weight loss regimens may help reduce body weight, and blood cholesterol levels.
Its leaves are a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants such as zeaxanthin, lutein, and β -carotene, which have been antioxidant, cancer protective and immune-boosting functions. For the same reason, celery has been acknowledged as a functional food.
Its leaves are a good source of vitamin-A. 100 g fresh celery comprises of 449 IU or 15% of daily required levels of this vitamin. Vitamin-A and beta-carotene are natural flavonoid antioxidants. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucosa and skin, and for night vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids helps the body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
The herb is also rich in many vital vitamins, including folic acid (provides 9% of RDA), riboflavin, niacin and vitamin-C, which are essential for optimum metabolism.
Fresh celery is an excellent source of vitamin-K, provides about 25% of DRI. Vitamin-K helps increase bone mass by promoting osteoblastic activity in the bones. It also has an established role in Alzheimer’s disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the brain.
The herb is a very good source of minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure.
Its leaves and seeds contain many essential volatile oils that include terpenes, mostly limonene (75 to 80%), and the sesquiterpenes like ß-selinene (10%) and humulene; however, its unique fragrance is due to chemical compounds known as phthalides (butylphthalide and its dihydro derivate sedanenolide) in them.
The essential oil obtained from extraction of celery plant has been employed as a soothing remedy for nervousness, osteoarthritis, and gouty arthritis conditions. Besides, its seeds and root have diuretic (removes excess water from the body through urine), galactagogue (help breast milk secretion), stimulant, and tonic properties.
Celery plant holds just 16 calories per 100 g of leaves and together with numerous health benefiting phytonutrients such as flavonoids, folate, vitamin-A, vitamin-K, minerals and other vitamins, has all the characters to consider it as one of the most valuable low-calorie or negative calories weight loss functional foods.