Celery

Chemical composition of celery and its benefits

for our organism

Original plant of the shores of the Mediterranean, its cultivation throughout the years was extending and acclimatizing in all parts of the world. Celery (Apium graveolens) is a plant species belonging to the Apiaceae family to which well-known plants such as parsley or fennel belong.

It has striated stems that form a thick stalk with minted leaves. The whole plant has a strong pungent flavor, although the bleaching of the stems in the crop causes them to lose these qualities, acquiring a sweeter flavor and the characteristic aroma that makes it a good ingredient in salads and soups.

Its leaves are a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants, such as zea-xanthine, lutein and beta-carotene, which also help in the protection and immunological stimulation functions of cancer, specifically pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.

Its depurative and diuretic properties have also been praised, and it is said that it combats the elevation of uric acid, which is why it is recommended to combat problems such as arthritis and gouty plaques. It is considered to be alkalizing and remineralizing.

Perhaps one of the most important properties of celery is its large amount of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps increase bone mass by promoting osteoblastic activity in the bones. It also plays an important role in patients with Alzheimer's disease, limiting neuronal damage in the brain.

Illustration: Abdecoral "Celery"

Psoralenos: They are referred to as substances derived from seeds and common plants such as celery and parsley that have the ability to increase the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light (photosensitizing), so they are used with said light (phototherapy) to treat alterations of the skin, such as psoriasis or vitiligo.

Selinene: It is an essential oil that is responsible for dilating the renal vessels and thus achieve a greater elimination of liquids and impurities.

Asparagine: It is a non-essential amino acid, created in the body by the liver that intervenes in the metabolic control of cellular functions in nervous and brain tissues. It is biosynthesized by asparagine synthetase from aspartic acid and ammonium.

The acid helps the nervous system maintain emotional balance, this is used for the prevention of development to a high degree of sensitivity to sound and touch.

Among the functions that it fulfills include the synthesis of glycoproteins, helps to synthesize muscular proteins, intervenes in the synthesis of ammonia and is a precursor of the neurotransmitter GABA of relaxing action of the nervous system.

Limonene: It is a natural substance that belongs to the group of terpenes, specifically to the limonoids, which constitute one of the largest classes of functional foods and phytonutrients, functioning as antioxidants.

It increases the levels of liver enzymes involved in the detoxification of carcinogens.

Folic acid: (vitamin B9) is involved in the formation of cells in the body and in the synthesis of the structures that make up DNA, participates in the formation of red blood cells, in the formation of the placenta during pregnancy, helps prevent the appearance of some neoplasms such as colon cancer.