The Benefits of Celery & Celery Juice

The Benefits of Celery & Celery Juice
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Celery is a versatile vegetables that is rich in dietary fiber, with 1 g per half cup serving. Two celery stalks, the equivalent of approximately a cup of chopped celery can fulfill nearly half your recommended daily requirement for vegetables, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Additionally, celery contains vitamins A and C and calcium. Celery juice, made by processing the cleaned stalks and leaves in a juice extractor, provides a concentrated version of the plant that can compliment other juices and foods.

Dietary Fiber

A serving of fresh celery provides 1 g of dietary fiber, which is 4 percent of your recommended daily requirement, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration. According to MayoClinic.com, a diet rich in dietary fiber helps maintain bowel health, decreases cholesterol and helps manage blood glucose levels. Fiber can also help you lose weight, because it generally takes longer to chew and digest, helping you feel fuller for longer so you eat fewer calories. High fiber foods like celery also tend to be lower in fat and calories, so you can eat a normal size serving but consume less fat and calories.

Vitamin C

Both celery and celery juice are rich sources of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, vitamin C plays an important role in your body's production of collagen, which is used to build blood vessels, connective tissue and bone. Additionally, vitamin C improves your immunity by increasing the production of white blood cells and neutrophils, which are cells that attack bacterial and viral cells that enter your body.

Calcium

The stems of celery contain the highest concentration of calcium, the most prevalent mineral in your body, according to the National Institutes of Health. Calcium is perhaps best known for its benefits for bone health, but calcium may also provide other benefits. The National Institutes of Health explains that calcium may contribute to decreased blood pressure and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. More research is needed regarding these benefits however consuming foods that contain calcium naturally, like celery and celery juice can help decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Vitamin A

A serving of a 1/2 cups of celery contains 4 percent of your daily recommended requirement for vitamin A, also known as retinol. This fat soluble vitamin, according to MayoClinic.com, may help prevent certain types of cancer, plays a role in growth and development and helps maintain the integrity of your immune system. Vitamin A can only be derived from animal foods, carrots and leafy vegetables like celery. A glass of celery juice, made from 2 1/2 cups of raw celery provides you with approximately 20% of your daily vitamin A requirement.

References

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Jun 12, 2011

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