The Health Benefits of Parsley
By Sara Butler
Parsley is seen as a throwaway herb -- a garnish. But it's really so much more than that! This incredible herb has some major benefits to your health and wellness that you may not be aware of. So the next time you get ready to toss aside the parsley on your plate, remember these interesting facts about the power of parsley.
It's Full of Vitamins
The levels of essential nutrients in parsley is pretty impressive. It has Vitamin K in it, which helps encourage blood clotting. This is important because it promotes healing of wounds and supports bone strength too.
Parsley also has Vitamin C, which helps to support a healthy immune system. It has been shown to help protect the body from eye conditions, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
It Can Help Reduce Cancer Risk
Eating parsley may help you to keep your cancer risk down, specifically your risk for prostate, breast, skin, and digestive tract cancers. This is possible through the high levels of a flavonoid in parsley called apigenin, which works in your body as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
It Can Help With Arthritis
If you have pain and swelling from arthritis, then consider adding some parsley to your morning smoothie. Eugenol is an oil found in parsley that has anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help to reduce swelling it the joints, which plagues those who suffer from conditions such as osteoarthritis.
It Protects Your Cardiovascular System
Folic acid is one of the most important vitamins you can eat, and parsley is full of it! Folic acid works in your body to reduce an amino acid in your body called homocysteine. This amino acid can damage blood vessels if your body has high levels of it, which increases your risk of heart attack.
How to Use Parsley
Don't worry if you're unsure how to incorporate parsley into your meals, it's easy and it's flavor pairs well with several types of foods.
You can find varieties of parsley at your favorite store. Chop up fresh parsley and add it to just about any dish. It goes well in tomato-based sauces, on poultry and seafood, on top of eggs, and even sprinkled over some roasted potatoes.
You can easily throw a few sprigs of parsley into your favorite morning smoothie, add it to a quiche or omelet, or even create your own homemade salad dressing with it. Go ahead and experiment!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.