Celery:

Celery is a vegetable from Apiacease family.One cup of chopped celery contains 4 gram of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

Average calories: 16 per one cup of chopped celery.

Vitamins found in higher amounts: vitamins K, A and B9.

Minerals found in higher amounts: potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium.

Phytonutrients found in higher amounts and their health benefits: celery is a commonly used vegetable in weight loss programs because of being low in calories and high in phytochemicals. They are phytosterols, phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, and coumaric acid), flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), flavones (apigenin and luteolin), furanocoumarins (bergapten and psoralen), and phthalides (butylphthaladies, and sedanenolide).

Phytosterols are plant sterols with ability to lower bad cholesterol and support cardiovascular system. The most common phytosterol in celery is beta-sitosterol with 6.2 mg in one cup.

Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and flavones are potent antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-boosting properties.

The unique flavor of celery is because of the phytochemicals phthalides. They have diuretic and smooth muscles-relaxing effects, making celery a valuable natural remedy in high blood pressure. Phthalides have anti – inflammatory effects and also reduce the blood levels of uric acid, making them effective in treatment of gout. See “Gout” under the section of “Medicinal Nutrition“.

Apigenin and luteolin in celery are found in artichoke and parsley as well. It is claimed that they may stimulate the growth of the damaged nerve cells in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Bergapten and psoralen are the furanocoumarins found in celery seeds and grapefruit juice. Psoralen helps with the treatment of certain skin disorders, such as psoriasis, eczema, alopecia and vitiligo. Bergapten may increase photosensitivity.