When we talk about healthy foods, especially vegetables and fruits, most people immediately think of apples, lemons, spinach, and tomatoes. However, parsley doesn’t often come to mind as quickly as those. Yet parsley is an unbelievably healthy vegetable that offers an endless list of health benefits. After reading this article, you will definitely want to add it regularly to your menu.
Here is the list of reasons why you absolutely must start including parsley in your diet!
1. Aids Digestion
Parsley helps regulate your digestive system due to its high water content and abundance of insoluble fiber. This combination helps keep your stomach functioning smoothly and supports the removal of waste. Parsley also has cleansing properties, helping to eliminate unwanted toxins from your body before eating.
2. Reduces Inflammation and Provides Relief
Thanks to antioxidants and polyphenols, parsley is highly effective in reducing inflammation, especially when it comes to soothing joint pain. It is also very beneficial for treating asthma and acne, the latter due to the presence of salicylic acid, a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
3. Regulates Alkaline Balance
Eating more parsley helps prevent acidity in the body and supports the regulation of your body’s pH balance. Maintaining an alkaline environment in your body is essential for overall health and can prevent many diseases.
4. Lowers High Blood Pressure
Parsley is a fantastic source of phthalides, compounds that improve blood circulation by up to 14% and help reduce stress hormones in the bloodstream. This effect contributes to lowering high blood pressure and promoting cardiovascular health.
5. Treats Bad Cholesterol
Bad cholesterol (LDL) can lead to hypertension and other heart-related issues. Parsley contains butylphthalide, a cholesterol-lowering compound. Just two stalks of parsley daily can reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 7%, making it a powerful natural remedy for managing cholesterol levels.
6. Improves Eye Health
A single stalk of parsley contains 10% of your daily vitamin A requirement—a nutrient vital for preventing vision deterioration, which is one of the first signs of aging. Furthermore, parsley is rich in polyphenolic phytonutrients that expertly maintain and protect eyesight.
7. Helps with Weight Loss
A full stalk of parsley is packed with water and very low in calories, making it an ideal food for those trying to lose weight. It is highly versatile and can easily be added to soups, salads, and many other dishes to enhance flavor while keeping calorie intake low.
8. Reduces Stress
Parsley contains about 100 mg of magnesium, a well-known mineral for reducing stress. The combination of magnesium and essential oils found in parsley calms the nervous system, reduces stress levels, and promotes easier, more restful sleep.
9. Boosts Your Sex Life
Chewing parsley releases androstenone and androstenol, two natural sexual pheromones that can improve attraction and intimacy. This makes parsley not only a healthy food but also a natural enhancer for your romantic life.
10. Fights Cancer
Parsley contains luteolin, a powerful flavonoid that helps prevent the growth of cancer cells, especially colorectal and pancreatic cancer. It has also been found to slow down the formation and growth of breast cancer cells, making it an important vegetable for cancer prevention.
