Benefits of Celery for Lymphatic Health & Water Retention
~ by Katie Rainbird
Poor lymphatic health can be an insidious condition, sneaking around inside of us showing up in a variety of daily complaints. But if you’re feeling like you’ve dived into the ocean fully clothed, you’ll be keen to read on for some enlightening information on the humble ol’ bunch of celery!
Health Benefits of Celery
As you lay celery down on the chopping board to prepare it for its digestive fate you notice how thick and sturdy it is at one end and how feathery light it is at the other.
This is telling of the amazing health benefits that celery confers upon our lymphatic system: supportive to the cell structure of our vessels and stimulative to the gentle flow of lymph within them.
Pack a punch with a celery crunch! Here are 3 rawkin’ benefits to chow down on celery for water retention and lymphatic health:
Celery is a rich source of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant, which assists the body in its fight against invading baddies during infections and inflammation — but did you know that it also serves a structural function?
Vitamin C contributes to the integrity of body tissues: when you consider the leakage of water between vessels in water retention, you can appreciate the role that Vitamin C will play in your treatment protocol.
Celery is a natural diuretic.
Rich in the minerals potassium and sodium, which work together, to promote optimal fluid balance and stimulate urine production, celery aids the elimination of excess fluid from the body.
Celery is high in fibre.
When eaten in whole form (i.e. not juiced), celery contributes to our digestive health by providing bulking material to our large intestines. Regular, healthy passage of soft stools requires water, so eating this watery and fibrous green will eliminate water this way too.
How Does Celery Help With Water Retention
“How much celery do I eat to aid fluid elimination?”
Aim for around 4 stalks per day, adding 2 to your daily juice and another 2 to a salad or as a snack with dip or paste.
Celery seeds can also be ground into powder and added to dips, soups or salads as a seasoning in the form of celery salt. For a sassy Celery Salad recipe, see below!
Is Celery Too High In Salt?
“Isn’t celery high in salt, though? Should I eat it if I’m trying to avoid salt as part of my water retention treatment?”
There are approximately 100 milligrams of sodium in a full cup o
f chopped celery (about 2 stalks). The FDA’s Daily Value for sodium intake is 2,400 milligrams, the equivalent of about 24 cups of celery. That’s the equivalent of 48 stalks of celery!
Four stalks per day is definitely considered safe as part of a dietary approach to reducing fluid retention – especially as it comes packaged with best buddy, potassium, to balance out the equation. So… Celery, anyone? Yesiree! 😉
Fruited Celery Salad
by Sherry Andrade
Makes 2-3 nice servings
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 2 teaspoons pure water
- 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon graded orange peel
In small jar shake dressing ingredients. Set aside.
Salad:
- 1 cup celery cut on diagonal
- 1 seeded orange, peeled & sectioned
- 1 medium apple, unpeeled, thinly sliced
- 1/2 pineapple, cored, cut in cubes (frozen thawed or natural juice canned), drain juice
- Lettuce leaves if desired
In medium bowl, mix all salad ingredients except lettuce. Pour dressing over salad; toss lightly to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Serve on lettuce lined plates.