Celery Facts
Some Important Celery Facts
• Some celery types have been around for thousands of years, but some have only been grown commercially for the last several hundred years. Celery was originally grown in Europe, and spread to areas around the Mediterranean.
• Leaves from the celery, facts say, were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. We don't know, however, whether the crop was domesticated then, or whether those were leaves from wild celery. Celery was also mentioned in the works of the great writer Homer.
• In 2007, Americans used almost two billion pounds of celery, facts state. That's an average of almost six and a half pounds of celery per person.
• The United States also exports celery, and is one of the largest exporters. Taiwan and Canada were the main importers of celery grown in the United States in 2007.
• One cup of raw celery, facts confirm, contains only nineteen calories, and possesses 45% of your RDA of Vitamin K, as well as abundant Vitamin C, potassium, folate and dietary fiber, among other vitamins and minerals.
• Celery is rich in Vitamin C, as mentioned, and this is an important vitamin for fighting off colds as well as preventing inflammation from rampant free radical damage. Vitamin C also is helpful in keeping your cardiovascular system healthy by avoiding buildups of plaque from high cholesterol.
• Celery, facts state, also is essential to fighting high blood pressure, by relaxing the muscles around arteries and allowing them to dilate, which lets more blood flow through the arteries with less pressure.
• Celery seeds have long been used as a natural diuretic, and there are minerals in celery that help stimulate urine production in your body, which helps to keep your system clean.
• Celery also contains compounds that help prevent the damage to cells from free radicals. These compounds of celery, facts confirm, also increase the activity of white blood cells, which helps to fight off infection.
• When selecting celery for your home, pick a bunch that looks and feels crisp. The stalks should hold tight to the bundle and not lay out at all.
• In storing celery, facts state, wrap it either in damp cloths or a plastic bag, and place in your refrigerator's crisper drawer.
• A few ways to enjoy celery:
• Put some chopped celery in your favorite chicken or tuna salad, for added crunch.
• Eat celery stalks with peanut butter – this has become a very popular snack!
• Chop celery and braise it, mix with onions and radiccio and top with cheese or walnuts (or both).
• Add celery stalks and leaves to your favorite casseroles, stews and soups and use celery to make stir fry dishes more healthy.