Anyone for “crunchy water”?
Kale and blueberries walk away with most health accolades. In comparison, celery is the somewhat unsung hero, but once you read its incredible–and nearly endless–list of health benefits you will quickly join its growing list of lovers.
Firstly, save on the chewing gum and grab a celery stalk! Did you know that nibbling celery stalks helps to clean your teeth and mouth after a meal?
Celery also provides dietary fibre that boosts digestion and weight loss. One large stalk contains only 10 calories! So, add celery to your shopping list and enjoy it in our mouth-watering salad recipe below.
The high percentage of water and electrolytes found in celery can prevent dehydration, especially over these hot summer months. Special compounds act as a diuretic and reduce bloating.
As a supplier of antioxidant flavonoids and polyphenol phytonutrients, other significant benefits of celery include its ability to improve liver, skin, eye and cognitive health. One large stalk of celery delivers five per cent of your daily vitamin A needs, a group of nutrients that protects the eyes and prevents age-related degeneration of vision.
Celery contains antioxidants and polysaccharides that are known to act as anti-inflammatories, especially flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants. If you are suffering from joint pains, lung infections, asthma or acne, eating more celery will bring much-needed relief.
Stressed and anxious? The minerals in celery, especially magnesium and the essential oil in it, soothe the nervous system and assist to calm you down. If you enjoy a celery-based snack in the evening, you may even sleep better.
Celery reduces “bad” cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. An active compound called phthalides in celery has been proven to boost circulatory health.
And don’t be scared of using the leaves of the celery stalk. Just like Chef Arte has done in our featured Brasserie salad this week (pictured above, recipe below), celery leaves not only taste delicious but add an aesthetic frill to attract any celery critic.
If you’re still hesitant to give celery a go, present your Mum with a bunch of celery, just like the winners of athletic events in Ancient Greece were presented with instead of flowers. A practical gift that won’t break the budget.
BRASSERIE CHOPPED SALAD
Ingredients
For the salad:
local mixed greens
Château Chooks hard boiled eggs
long beans
watermelon radish
chickpeas
celery, stalk and leaves
bell peppers
flax seeds
For the dressing:
parsely
mint
basil
dill
grape seed oil
Dijon mustard
champagne vinegar
lemon aioli
salt
pepper
Method
Combine all salad ingredients together. Blend dressing ingredients and drizzle over salad before serving.