What are the benefits of celery – Delfi food

Celery is a nutritious and inexpensive vegetable. She, according to dietitian Dr. Editas Gavelienės, you can eat it raw as a crunchy snack, add it to salads, soups or mixes, or squeeze nutritious and refreshing juice out of it.

“Celery is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Fiber is very important for the health of the digestive system, and it helps support heart health by lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar. And the vitamins C and K in celery support the immune system and improve skin health. In addition, folates, the counterpart of the water-soluble vitamin folic acid in plants, are important for DNA synthesis and cell growth,” says the nutritionist doctor.

Dr. E. Gavelienė adds that celery also contains a lot of minerals, including potassium and manganese: “Potassium is necessary to maintain healthy blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Manganese is also a cofactor for several enzymes involved in energy metabolism and antioxidant protection.”

“Scientific studies have shown that celery juice has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties, contributes to controlling blood sugar levels, reduces dehydration, improves the functioning of the nervous and cardiac systems, the digestive system, the work of the kidneys and helps with constipation, which many people suffer from.” , – said dietician Renalda Bauzytė to Delfi Maistu.

The dietician also warns that although celery allergy is relatively rare, it can cause allergic reactions in some people: symptoms could include itching, swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Celery is usually eaten as a snack by cutting it into smaller strips and eating it with your favorite homemade spread or sauce. Olga Suchočeva, head of commercial operations of the “Rimi” retail chain, notes in a press release that hummus, nut butter and tzatziki sauce are among the most popular condiments for celery.

“Tzatziki is a cheaper Greek yogurt-based sauce flavored with cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs like dill or mint. The crunchy texture and slightly bitter flavor of the celery contrasts well with the creamy and spicy tzatziki. And hummus is made from boiled chickpeas mixed with sesame paste, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil, so these flavors also go well with celery. In addition, although the mixture of celery and peanuts may seem strange at first glance, their flavors and, especially, their textures go well with each other: the crunchiness of the celery contrasts with the softness of the peanut butter and creates a really good textural balance of the snack,” says the supermarket chain expert.

O. Suchočeva adds that this vegetable is also the main ingredient in many soups, stews and broths. “To use celery in these dishes, just wash it well, cut it into small pieces and add it to the pot with the other vegetables. This vegetable really helps create a savory base for a variety of dishes, such as chicken noodle soup, beef stew, or vegetable broth.”

The chain specialist says that in order to keep celery fresh longer, it should be protected from excess moisture, as it can speed up the spoilage process, but celery should also not be kept completely dry to keep it crisp and fresh.

“The most effective way to keep celery fresh is to store it in the refrigerator. Unpack them beforehand and then wrap them in aluminum foil or place them in a perforated bag to retain moisture and allow air circulation. You can wrap the celery in a damp paper towel before placing it in the bag. Store celery in a refrigerator drawer where the temperature is slightly lower and more stable, preferably around 0-4 °C,” advises O. Suchočeva.

In addition, the expert says that before putting celery in the refrigerator, it is important to prepare it properly: remove the dried outer stems, cut off the end of the root. “You can also gently scrub the celery with a vegetable brush.”

“Of course, celery can still be stored soaked in the refrigerator: just place it in a container or glass filled with cold water. Also, make sure the water covers the cut ends of the celery, but not the entire stalk. Change the water every few days to keep them fresh and prevent bacterial growth. However, it is important to note that celery stored in water may lose some flavor over time, so it is best to use it within a week,” he recommends.

Dietician Renalda Bauzytė recommends starting the morning with celery juice.

“It is recommended to drink celery juice in the morning on an empty stomach, because it is believed that an empty stomach allows the body to absorb the nutrients contained in celery juice faster and more efficiently. Also, this juice can give you energy in the morning, making it a healthier alternative to coffee. And of course you must not forget to have breakfast after drinking this juice! Wait 15 min. and enjoy breakfast,” says the dietician.

It is recommended to drink 200-400 ml of juice in the morning. It should not be multiplied, because a large amount of this juice can cause allergies and diarrhea.

“Celery juice is not recommended for people who suffer from inflammation of the stomach or duodenum, bronchial asthma and pregnant women and nursing mothers. Allergy to celery is also quite common. If you notice itching or swelling of your mouth or skin after drinking celery juice, you may be allergic to celery.

If you have low blood pressure, you should eat celery very carefully, as it can lower it even more. Also, for more sensitive people, a larger amount of celery can cause nausea and diarrhea,” warns dietitian Baužytė.

The specialist says that it is worth noting that people who take a lot of drugs (eg: thyroid-regulating drugs, antidepressants, drugs for liver problems, drugs that stimulate urine output, blood-thinning drugs) should consult with their family doctor about the side effects of celery .

Well, if the taste of celery juice is too strong, try the celery and fruit smoothie recipe.

100 g (about 4 medium stalks) celery, chopped

1.5 a. sh. peeled and grated ginger;

20 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

1. Coarsely chop the celery. Cut the apple into pieces, leaving the peel. Cut the banana into pieces as well. Peel and grate or mince the ginger.

2. Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add a splash of water.