Celery is an edible plant.
Api or is a notion that comes from the Latin word apium . The term refers to a plant with the scientific name Apium graveolens , which belongs to the family group of umbellifers.
With a hollow stem of considerable thickness, celery reaches a height of more than half a meter. Its leaves are split, while its flowers have a whitish hue and are small in size.
Culinary use of celery
Celery is an edible plant that is consumed in many parts of the world , being especially popular in the north and center of the European continent. Celery stalks and leaves are prepared in different ways.
This vegetable can be eaten raw or cooked. In the first case, it is common for it to be part of salads . One of the best-known preparations with raw celery is the Waldorf salad , which also usually includes apple, walnuts and lettuce.
Cooked celery, meanwhile, is usually part of stews , stews and stews . It can be combined with ingredients such as pumpkin, chickpeas, leeks and carrots, for example.
One of the most used cooking methods is boiling. There are those who, after boiling the celery, put it in the oven to gratinate it.
Nutritional and medicinal properties
Celery contains iron , calcium, potassium, folic acid and vitamin B, among other components. Due to its high amount of water, it is a satiating food and works as a diuretic .
Celery is attributed with sedative effects and benefits for the functioning of the digestive system. It is also indicated that it helps reduce the level of bad cholesterol and relieve inflammation .
It is possible to consume celery in different ways, both raw and cooked.
Celery juice
In recent years, the popularity of celery juice has multiplied. Notes that emphasize the benefits that this drink offers are frequently shared on social networks , although the texts often present erroneous or inaccurate information.
Science has shown, as we already indicated, that celery contains different minerals and vitamins that can be positive for health. It also has few calories, which can be an appropriate food for those who do not want to gain weight.
On the contrary, despite what some influencers claim, there is no scientific evidence on the benefits of celery juice for the treatment or relief of diseases such as diabetes, cancer or fibromyalgia.
In any case, it is always necessary to consult a nutritionist about the appropriate diet for each person and a doctor about how to prevent and treat health problems.
Other plants with the same name
It is important to keep in mind that other species are also referred to colloquially as celery. Some belong to the same family, as is the case of Apium nodiflorum , better known as cress , berra , berrera or berraza .
Arracacia xanthorrhiza , on the other hand, is called celery criollo , arracacha , arracache or virraca . Parsley ( Petroselinum crispum ), in some places, is called celery or stone celery , while Smyrnium olusatrum may be called horse celery . Cyclospermum leptophyllum is finally named as bighorn celery or wild celery .