A lot is known about the useful properties of celery in terms of weight loss, but at the same time, not all people understand what exactly is the use of the plant and how to use it for its maximum extraction. To understand this issue and decide how much such greens can be eaten per day, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the data below.
Useful properties of celery
It is really difficult to overestimate the beneficial properties of celery for the human body, because all parts of the plant contain valuable vitamins, mineral components, amino acids, as well as proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Moreover, each of the parts of the culture (root, stems and leaves) have their own unique properties, which may be appropriate in a particular case.
So, the underground part will be useful for:
- relieve fatigue, drowsiness, and increase the overall tone of the body, which also favorably affects a person’s performance;
- increasing male potency and enhancing the effects of male pheromones (celery contains the hormone androsterone, which, when excreted, then attracts the attention of women);
- prostatitis prophylaxis;
- prevention of kidney and urogenital diseases;
- better absorption of protein foods (in raw form it is useful to add a vegetable to meat and fish dishes);
- improving the condition of hair and skin.
The stem part also has a beneficial effect on immunity, therefore, in the cold season, leaves and shoots are recommended to be used in the form of fresh salads. In addition, green celery strengthens the cardiovascular system, can be used to prepare remedies for burns, cuts and inflammation of the skin. Eating plant leaves helps to fight constipation and stops the development of putrefactive processes in the intestine, while removing all harmful toxins and toxins.
An infusion from any part of celery helps to relieve menstrual pain and reduces discomfort during menopause, so the plant is recommended for women to eat.Important! The maximum benefit of the described culture persists for a week after harvesting, and if you have already managed to cut the leaves or roots, then it is advisable to eat them in the first half hour, since they quickly lose all their useful characteristics.
As for the possible harm to health, such greens should be consumed by women during pregnancy and with a high probability of uterine bleeding (the apiol present in the composition stimulates the contraction of the walls of the uterus).
How celery affects weight loss
When preparing a diet plan, you can include in it both dishes and drinks based on celery, since the plant in any form helps to reduce weight. This is largely due to the laxative effect present, but the same can be said of other raw vegetables, so the emphasis here is more on temporary preservation of positive indicators.
Achieving more stable results will help regular use of the plant as part of dietary foods, which will provide a slight deficiency of calories in the body. It is with their deficiency that the breakdown of their own fats begins and a decrease in body weight occurs.
Actively using celery-based diets, it is important to remember the following important features:
- juicy and nutritious roots of the plant are better to boil or bake;
- the stem part (in raw form) is used in salads, fried or stewed with other vegetables;
- leaves can replace parsley or dill, not only in salads, but also in other dishes;
- seeds can be used as seasoning.
Important! When choosing the time of day for the consumption of a particular dish, always take into account the calorie content of other products used in its preparation and the ease of their assimilation by the body.
The most useful way of eating celery is deservedly considered to be the extraction of plant juice. In liquid form, all useful components are much easier to absorb by the body and help replenish its vitamin supply. At the same time, it is not necessary to drink the drink in its pure form, it will be much more useful for the figure to combine with the juice of other plants.
The most common options for losing weight include the following varieties:
- celery and watermelon (a mixture of these juices contributes to excellent cleaning of the kidneys and bladder, and you need to drink the finished drink in small portions throughout the day);
- celery-carrot-apple (helps strengthen the nervous system, helps improve memory and vision);
- celery cucumber (deservedly considered an excellent tonic, which not only contributes to weight loss, but also makes up for the lack of vitamin A in the body);
- celery orange (helps to lower blood pressure, and adding a small amount of honey with lemon increases immunity, helps calm down and get rid of sleep problems);
- celery grapefruit (A mixture of the juices of these plants provides the body with a shock dose of sodium, which helps to drain excess fluid and break down cellulite deposits).
Alternatively, you can mix celery juice with parsley and cabbage juice, which will be very useful for the skeletal system and teeth.
Did you know? The quality of petiole celery can be determined by its characteristic crunch when broken. If the sound is clear and loud, you have a good copy in front of you, and if you can hardly hear it, then the plant has already managed to fade and lose some of its benefits.
Which celery is most useful for losing extra pounds
The most useful celery, which is perfect for preparing diet low-calorie dishes, is a fresh plant, with dense and elastic leaf plates and no cracks in the root. It is advisable to use it fresh, focusing on the shoots and leaves. Rhizomes are often included in baked or steamed dishes, although some people still use it to make salads.
In order for the cut plant to retain its useful properties for longer, it is worth placing it in cold, slightly salted water. It is good when the leaves of the culture are in small commodity pots, because if you do not use everything purchased at one time, there will be more chances to save the purchased product for later.
How to cook and how to eat
The method of cooking celery depends on the selected type of its consumption. For example, if you are interested in juice, then the process of obtaining it will include the following steps:
- washing the vegetable under water and thoroughly peeling the root;
- grinding on a grater or in a blender;
- squeezing the juice obtained through several times folded cheesecloth.
An important point in this case is the need for timely use of the resulting drink, because with every minute it loses a certain part of its benefits.
For cooking, stalks and leaves of the culture are usually used, for example, to cook soup based on this plant, you need to mix 300 g of chopped celery with 2 tomatoes, 2 bell peppers, 400 g of white cabbage and 2 onions. After combining all the crushed ingredients, it remains only to pour all 2 liters of water, bring to a boil and add spices.
Celery root salad provides the possibility of combining the plant with eggs, cottage cheese, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers and various greens, and olive or sunflower oil can be used as a dressing. If you have no contraindications to the use of all these products, then when creating dishes, you can experiment as you like, eating celery 3-4 times a day.
The daily norm of a plant per adult is 200-300 g, and it is desirable that this amount be distributed in several identical portions. Using a fresh vegetable and reducing the number of calories consumed in one week, you can get rid of up to 4 kg of excess weight.
Did you know? The first written data on celery dates back to 1623, although the history of its use by humans began in ancient Greece. It is noteworthy that in those days he was considered a symbol of sadness and death, because of which he even acted as the main dish at the wake.
Contraindications
The main contraindications to the use of celery dishes are urolithiasis, which is associated with a high diuretic effect of this plant.
- In addition, people with:
- hypotonic problems (celery helps lower blood pressure);
- colitis (the essential oils present in the composition can only exacerbate existing problems);
- epilepsy (increased tone in this case is not the best effect on the body);
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially at the stage of exacerbation (in this case, it is better to avoid the consumption of raw vegetables, in particular, with peptic ulcer disease).
Pregnant and lactating women should dose celery: in the first case, an excess of it can lead to increased uterine tone, and in the second, cause an allergy in the child.
Celery is really able to bring the body many benefits, but even those people who eat it in moderation, it is important to know about possible contraindications. By preventing an overdose, you will get rid of many problems associated with it, and you can lose weight only with health benefits.