Most people think that healthy superfoods are super expensive, hard to pronounce, hard to find and totally unheard of. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many simple, common-sense superfoods that are easy to find (in your local grocery store) and can help you take your health to the next level. Celery is definitely one of those foods. In this article you’ll find out how exactly celery can help you to lose weight and belly fat. It won’t be hard to convince you that celery and weight loss really go hand in hand.
Nutritional highlights
One medium (7 1/2″ to 8″ long) raw celery stalk (approximately 40g) contains 1.4 grams of carbohydrates (over half of which come from fiber), 0.3 grams of protein, and only 0.1 g of fat. Celery is mostly water (almost 95% or 38.2 g), which makes it low in calories and an ideal snack food. 40 grams of raw celery contains only 6.4 calories.
It is also an effective hydrant and an alkali, equalizing the body’s PH. Celery is rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, potassium, folic acid and vitamin C, calcium, sodium, and essential amino acids. While it is true that celery contains more sodium than most other vegetables, the sodium is offset by very high levels of potassium. Furthermore, the amount of sodium is not significant even for the most salt-sensitive individuals.
Health benefits
Celery is certainly a health food with its high water content, fiber, and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). We can consume it as a vegetable or prepare juice to reap the maximum benefits. Researchers have proved that celery juice is rich in almost all necessary nutrients and regular intake of this fluid can help us get a number of benefits for our health, skin and hair. Here’s what research suggests celery may offer us.
#1 Protecting against undesirable oxidative damage (anti – inflammatory properties)
To date, scientists have identified dozens of antioxidants in celery, from the well-known – like vitamin C and flavonoids – to the more obscure, such as lunularin, bergapten, and psolaren. Together, these nutrients can help protect against undesirable oxidative damage to organs and blood vessels. Antioxidants are known to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
#2 Celery may help protect against pancreatic cancer
According to recent research conducted by University of Illinois scientists, two specific antioxidants, apigenin and luteolin, found in celery have the potential to kill human pancreatic cancer cells. While these results have been seen in lab studies only, they still show interesting promise in supporting the health benefits of celery.
#3 Celery may help prevent inflammation in the digestive tract
No, celery isn’t a “zero calorie food” (in fact, there is no such thing), but it can still do amazing things for your digestion. In animal studies, the fibrous carbohydrate found in celery has been shown to fortify the lining of the
stomach and reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.
#4 Lowers cholesterol and controls blood pressure
It contains a chemical compound that has positive effects on reducing the bad cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, in our bloodstream. If you drink one glass of celery juice each day, you will be able to keep your blood pressure levels under control. It is again the effects of the same chemical compound, which diminishes the secretion of stress hormones and relaxes the muscles present around our blood vessels so that they get dilated and blood can flow through them smoothly without causing much pressure onto their inner walls.
#5 Other famous “beauty effects”
Ensures glowing skin, keeps skin young, hydrates skin, calms the nerves because of the high calcium content, stimulates the growth of our hair improves its texture.
Top reasons why celery and weight loss go hand in hand
Here are the top six reason why celery can help you to lose weight more efficiently and much easier.
#1 Celery contains “negative calories”
At the top of the list of so-called negative-calorie foods are vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers and, the most famous, celery. Celery contains eight to ten calories a stalk and is 95 per cent water. Chewing most foods typically burns about five calories an hour. The act of digesting may require slightly more – particularly in the case of celery, since it is mostly cellulose, a type of fiber that humans do not have the necessary enzymes to properly break down and use.
#2 Helps to break up accumulated fats
Celery has a huge store of calcium that is in a ready-to-use form. By consuming lots of raw celery this calcium goes straight to work on your body. This pure form of calcium will boost your endocrine system. The hormones in your body will then break up accumulated fats.
#3 Acts as a natural diuretic
As a natural diuretic, it will help flush excess water weight and toxins from your body.
#4 Makes you feel full & suppress your appetite
Celery is high in fiber (its stringiness tells you that) and water. Fiber adds bulk to food and therefore makes you feel full with only a few calories. Therefore, celery helps suppress your appetite which makes it easier to lose weight. This is by far the most important reason why celery and weight loss are inseparable allies.
#5 Stimulates thermogenesis
Celery is almost 95 per cent water. Water contains zero calories and is also a huge factor in stimulating thermogenesis. Drinking a little over two 8-ounces glasses of water will increase metabolic rate by 30 percent in just 10 minutes. Furthermore, water also satisfies both thirst and hunger signals.
#6 Reduces the hunger pangs
The other advantage of celery is that it has a low glycemic index. Raw celery root has a GI of 35, which is low. Essentially, the glycemic index tells you how quickly carbohydrates turn into blood sugar. You can make the glycemic index work to battle your cravings as well, a fact that might be exciting news when trying to lose weight. As you go through your day you will get fewer cravings for banned foods if you incorporate celery into your diet. It basically reduces the hunger pangs that you always get on a very low calorie diet. That was the last reason why celery and weight loss are best friends ever.
How to use celery?
There are hundreds of ways to use celery. Eat it with abandon as a snack. Toss it into stews, soups, and salads. Juice it with apples for a power beverage that will give you vital nourishment to lose weight and prevent illnesses. It has barely any calories per stalk, so you can definitely eat or juice as much celery as you want.
Closing thoughts about celery and weight loss
Shedding extra weight becomes easier and hassle free with the regular intake of celery & celery juice. It is extremely low in calories and very filling at the same time, making it a perfect choice for a quick and healthy snack. Therefore, it keeps our appetite under check and helps us lose weight successfully. However, it will aid weight loss only if you eat & drink it instead of higher-calorie foods & drinks. It is unlikely to promote weight loss on its own.
