Short Answer: Celery is good for arthritis. Because it has antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints, which are the places where two or more bones meet.
Joints can become swollen, painful, stiff and inflamed due to arthritis.
In arthritis, your body’s immune system attacks the lining of your joints, causing damage to the cartilage and bone.
This can lead to various health problems, such as reduced mobility, deformity, disability and increased risk of infection.
One of the key factors in managing arthritis is diet.
What you consume can affect your inflammation levels, which can impact your arthritis symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage arthritis, you should consume anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts, and avoid pro-inflammatory foods like red meat, processed foods, sugar and alcohol.
Now, celery is a crunchy vegetable that belongs to the same family as carrots, parsley and fennel.
People usually eat celery raw as a snack, or cooked in soups, salads and stir-fries.
Celery is good for arthritis because it contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Celery also has diuretic properties, which can help flush out excess uric acid and prevent gout, a type of arthritis.
One cup of chopped celery can give you 19% of your daily vitamin K, 9% of your daily vitamin A, 8% of your daily folate, 5% of your daily potassium and 3% of your daily vitamin C.
Vitamin K can help regulate calcium metabolism and prevent bone loss.
Vitamin A can help support your immune system and vision.
Folate can help prevent anemia and birth defects.
Potassium can help balance your fluid and electrolyte levels.
Vitamin C can help boost your collagen production and wound healing.
Celery also contains apigenin, a flavonoid that can suppress inflammation and modulate immune responses.
Apigenin can also inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells, according to some studies.
Furthermore, celery is a low-calorie and high-fiber food, and fiber is good for arthritis.
Because, fiber can help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as improve your digestion and bowel movements.
You can eat two to four stalks of celery per day safely.
More than that can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea and allergic reactions in some people.
Also, you shouldn’t eat celery if you have a bleeding disorder, low blood pressure, kidney problems or an allergy to celery or related plants, to prevent adverse effects.
Because, celery can interfere with blood clotting, lower your blood pressure, increase your urine output and cause severe allergic reactions in some cases.
You can buy fresh celery in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose celery that is crisp, green and free of spots or bruises.
Because, fresh celery has more nutrients and flavor than wilted or damaged celery.
You can store celery in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing arthritis effectively.
I always recommend my arthritis patients to follow an arthritis-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.