Celery Seeds Health Benefits, Nutrition Facts

Celery seeds are very similar to cumin seeds in appearance and are widely used in all kinds of cuisines. Celery seeds are dark brown in color and have an elongated shape with vertical ridges. They also have a strongly aromatic flavor that adds zing to the food. This herb is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine. One of the most important celery seeds nutrition facts is that they are very low in calories but extremely high in essential nutrients.

They do not contain any cholesterol and are very low in sugar content. This makes them a perfect ingredient to add to a healthy daily diet, especially for those who are conscious of their body weight.

While studying the celery seeds nutritional composition we can see that they are very rich in a number of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the proper functioning of the human body. Celery seeds are a rich source of Vitamin A, which is extremely important for maintaining healthy skin, mucus membranes and good eyesight. Other vitamins that are required for maintaining good health, like folic acid, niacin, riboflavin and vitamin C are also present in celery seeds. Celery seeds are an excellent source of minerals like calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and manganese that are required to control blood pressure and the heart rate. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which is important for regulating the body’s metabolism.

Joint Problems

These herbal seeds have a number of health benefits and are especially beneficial for maintaining good joint health. Experts recommended them for treating health conditions like gout, arthritis and rheumatism, which can cause severe joint discomforts. Many people use celery seed for gout treatment and this is one of the best natural remedies for this condition. Being a natural diuretic, celery seeds help in flushing out excess uric acid from the body, which is one of the main causes of gout. It also simultaneously helps in alkalizing the blood. Most people take celery seeds in an extract form for treating gout as the seeds can be bitter when eaten by themselves. It is important to remember that celery seeds are powerful diuretics and therefore a person must maintain adequate intake of water through the day while using them as a treatment for gout. Several studies have also shown the effectiveness of celery seed for arthritis treatment and cure. These seeds are especially beneficial to patients of rheumatoid arthritis, which is also associated with mental depression. They contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which help in relieving pain and swelling around the joints. They are very effective in reducing the degeneration of joints in the body, which occurs in conditions like arthritis.

Blood Pressure

It is also possible to treat blood pressure problems with celery seeds and extracts. Celery seeds are highly effective in lowering blood pressure and this is one of the main reasons experts suggest using celery seed for high blood pressure treatment. Celery seeds contain a specific component known as 3-N- butyl-phthalide that helps in lowering blood pressure in the human body. This particular component relaxes the muscle lining of the blood vessels by causing the muscles of the arteries to dilate, thereby allowing a free flow of blood and reducing arterial wall pressure. Phthalides also help in reducing stress hormones like adrenalin and cortisol, which can cause the blood pressure to spike. Celery seeds are rich in potassium, which again is beneficial to high blood pressure patients. Many experts also recommend using celery seed extract for high blood pressure treatment because its diuretic properties do not alter the sodium to potassium ratio in the blood, unlike most other diuretics. Another advantage is that celery seed extracts do not reduce blood flow to the brain like many other conventional drugs. These extracts not only increase blood flow but also enhance the energy production of the brain.

Kidney Stone

The use of celery seed for kidney stones is also quite popular. Celery seeds are beneficial too people suffering from kidney stones because they are rich in potassium and sodium which help in effectively eliminating toxic wastes from the body by stimulating the kidneys and bowels. Celery seeds increase the level of water in the body by stimulating the kidneys and this helps in flushing out the stones from the body. The best way to use celery seed for uric acid and kidney stones elimination is by boiling a tablespoon of these seeds in a small quantity of water and then cooling this mixture. Consuming this strained mixture once or twice a day is the most natural way to get rid of kidney stones and excess uric acid. It is one of the best natural ingredients for lowering the uric acid content in the body. However, pregnant women should not use this remedy as it stimulates the uterine system.

Diabetes

Studies have also shown the positive relationship between diabetes and celery seeds. These seeds are especially beneficial to people who suffer from type 1 diabetes where there is insufficient insulin in the blood. Regular consumption of celery seed for diabetes in this case would be helpful in elevating insulin levels in the blood. On the other hand celery consumption would not be very useful for type 2 diabetes patients who usually have higher levels of insulin in the body. Celery seeds have a hypoglycemic effect in diabetic patients and therefore many herbal medications make use of celery seeds to prevent and treat diabetes. Another advantage of using natural ingredients like celery seeds is that they have no side effects as compared to most other conventional drugs and medicines. The main advantage of using celery seeds for diabetes treatment is that they do not allow blood sugar levels in the body to spike. Regular consumption of celery seeds tea is highly recommended for diabetes patients to keep this condition under control. Drinking 2-3 cups of this tea everyday can help in effectively treating diabetes. However, it is always advisable to check with your doctor before using this remedy as it may have certain side effects when taken along with other treatment drugs.

Submitted on January 16, 2014