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Has your weekend craving for fried rice inspired you to make one at home? There begins the hunt for the vegetables! Though you might be short on carrots and beans, you must be relieved to see the long, green celery stalks. After all, fried rice doesn’t taste or smell the same without celery. But is celery all about flavour and aroma?
Celery is a humble vegetable from the Apiaceae family, which also includes carrots and parsley. It has long stalks and leafy ends, and we mostly mince the stalk and add it to the rice for a little crunch and taste. Beyond its culinary versatility, celery offers a surprising array of health benefits. Its rich antioxidant and fiber content supports a healthy gut microbiome.
Though you might end up adding celery unconsciously, wouldn’t it be great if it were a conscious choice, marked by your awareness of its benefits on your gut health? So, let’s get chopping and understand if celery is good for your gut!
Soluble fiber in celery
Celery is packed with soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in your digestive tract. This gel-like substance can have a significant impact on your gut health.
- Softening hard stool: Soluble fiber can help soften hard stool, making it easier to pass through your digestive tract. It can be beneficial for individuals with constipation.
- Firming loose stool: In contrast, soluble fiber can also help firm up loose stool, making it a helpful remedy for diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Slowing digestion: Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance, slowing down the digestive process. This gives your gut more time to absorb nutrients, thus reducing the pressure on your digestive system.
- Prebiotic power: Soluble fiber acts as a prebiotic, providing a food source for the beneficial bacteria in your gut. It helps promote a healthy gut microbiome and improve overall digestive health.
Do you want to keep your natural poop rhythm going well? Heal your gut with probiotics and prebiotics. Hear what our expert has to say.
Insoluble fiber in celery
Celery is also a good source of insoluble fiber, a type of fiber that does not dissolve in water. Insoluble fiber stays intact as it passes through your digestive system, adding bulk to your stool.
- Alleviates constipation: Insoluble fiber can help prevent constipation and promote regularity by adding bulk to your stool.
- Promotes gut health: Insoluble fiber stimulates the contractions of your digestive muscles, promoting healthy bowel movements.
So, enjoy celery’s dual fiber goodness and keep your bowel health in check. If you want to regulate your bowel movements, consider making The Good Bug’s Smooth Move Fiber Boost a part of your regime. It includes natural, plant-based prebiotic fibers that will help improve your bowel health. Add a scoop to your meals and see the difference within days!
Hydration benefits of celery
Whatever you eat and wherever you are, one advice that sticks with you is, ‘Drink plenty of water.’ Water helps with digestion and makes waste removal effortless. Did you know celery consists of approximately 95% water? So, eating celery is an indirect way of staying hydrated! Wouldn’t that be so convenient, especially during hot weather or after intense physical activity? Let’s look at how celery keeps you hydrated and healthy:
- Regulates body temperature: Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining a healthy body temperature. Celery can help replenish fluids and prevent dehydration.
- Lubricates joints: Proper hydration is crucial for healthy joints. Celery can help keep your joints lubricated and reduce the risk of joint pain and stiffness.
- Helps remove wastes: Hydration is essential for flushing out toxins and waste products from your body. Celery can help support your body's natural detoxification processes.
- Electrolyte balance: Celery contains electrolytes such as potassium and sodium, which are essential for maintaining normal fluid balance in your cells.
So, water is not the only way to hydrate yourself. If you feel thirsty next time, reach for a stalk of celery.
Vitamin benefits of celery
Even though we like to add celery to meals due to its refreshing crunch and unique flavour, the main highlight is the nutritional punch it carries. Celery is a powerhouse of vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. This essential nutrient offers a range of benefits, from strengthening your bones to supporting blood clotting. Here's a breakdown of the benefits of vitamin K from celery:
- Bone health: Vitamin K is required to make osteocalcin, a protein involved in bone strength. By consuming celery, you can help ensure your body has enough vitamin K to support healthy bone development and reduce the risk of fractures.
- Blood clotting: Vitamin K is critical for blood clotting, which is essential for healing wounds. A deficiency in vitamin K can lead to excessive bleeding.
- Blood vessel health: Vitamin K supports blood vessel health by regulating calcium deposition, which can reduce the risk of arterial calcification and heart disease.
You didn’t imagine a simple celery stalk could benefit you in many ways, right? Well, there’s more; let’s continue digging!
Antioxidant properties of celery
Isn’t the sight of a long celery stalk itself so refreshing? So, imagine the impact it creates on you when you consume it! We’ve discussed celery’s benefits due to its fiber, vitamin, and water content. One of its lesser-known superpowers is its antioxidant content.
Celery is a treasure trove of powerful antioxidants that can protect your body from damage caused by harmful free radicals. These antioxidants can help ward off the effects of ageing and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Here’s how the antioxidants present in celery can benefit you:
- Protection against ageing: Are you worried about wrinkles and dark spots on your skin? Antioxidants can help protect your skin from cellular damage, which, over time, could contribute to ageing signs like wrinkles and fine lines.
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases: A diet rich in antioxidants has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Antioxidants can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to developing these diseases.
- Improved overall health: Antioxidants support the immune system and protect cells from damage, promoting overall well-being. They also reduce inflammation in the body, which can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of various health problems.
So, support your body’s natural defences by incorporating celery into your diet. But are you feeling stuck inventing new recipes with celery? No worries; we’ll give you some simple tips to add celery to your meals.
How to incorporate celery into your diet?
Enough with adding flavour and aroma to your meals. Shouldn’t you be focusing on health first? What if we told you you can make your meals nutritious and delicious at the same time? Celery is a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into various dishes. From savoury appetisers to refreshing drinks, there are countless ways to enjoy this crunchy and flavourful vegetable:
- Raw: Enjoy celery as a snack, or pair it with other vegetables.
- Juices: Add celery to your favourite fruit or vegetable juices for a refreshing and nutritious drink.
- Salads: Toss celery with carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes for a satisfying crunch and a boost of nutrients.
- Soups and stews: Celery can add depth and flavour to soups and stews.
- Stir-fries: Incorporate celery into vegetable stir-fries for a quick and healthy meal.
- Celery juice: Enjoy the benefits of celery in a concentrated form by juicing it.
With so many delicious ways to include celery in your diet, there's no excuse not to have it.
Be generous while adding celery to your next meal. You probably won’t find another vegetable with all-in-one benefits. Though often overlooked as a mere accompaniment, celery’s antioxidant properties, along with its high fiber and water content, make it a go-to remedy for gut health.
Now that you know celery is good for gut health, try unique ways to add it to your diet. The Good Bug has informative resources and practical tips to help you achieve your goals. Visit our website and book a free consultation with our experts to learn how we can support your well-being!
References
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-celery
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/health-benefits-of-celery
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-celery
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_benefits_of_eating_celery/article.htm
https://www.realsimple.com/celery-health-benefits-7503187
https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/health-benefits-celery
https://mysourcenutrition.com/blogs/mysource-magazine/gut-health-food-4-benefits-of-celery
