As people grow older, it becomes important to eat a healthy diet packed with fresh nutrient-rich vegetables. For elderly people, celery offers numerous health benefits and may even prevent some of the signs of aging. Here are five health benefits of celery for seniors.
1. Lower Blood Pressure
Keeping blood pressure under control can be difficult with age, especially if your loved one has other underlying health problems. High blood pressure can lead to coronary artery disease, which is the number one cause of death in most developed countries.
However, celery may combat those high numbers. Studies involving rats found the animals that received daily celery extract had lower overall blood pressure than those that didn’t. It’s believed that celery helps the blood vessels contract, increasing circulation and allowing calcium and potassium to enter and leave the cells easily.
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2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is important at any age, and seniors tend to slow down when it comes to physical activity. Some seniors may lose their mobility, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
Incorporating celery into the diet can help seniors maintain a healthy weight. The fiber-packed veggie helps seniors feel full long after eating it. It also works with any type of diet, whether your loved one watches calories, fat, or carbohydrates. The average medium-sized celery stalk has about six calories, 1.2 carbohydrates, and less than 0.10 grams of fat. Make it a regular daily snack to boost your loved one’s health.
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3. Protect Liver Health
According to a study at the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Helwan University in Egypt, rats that were fed celery regularly had healthier and better-functioning livers than those that weren’t. Less fat built up in their livers, and their liver enzyme function and blood lipid levels were better.
The rats did even better when they were fed celery with chicory and barley. It’s time to start adding these foods to your loved one’s diet because aging increases the risk of several major liver diseases.
4. Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Just like high blood pressure, high cholesterol can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Celery may prevent cholesterol from reaching high levels. The vegetable contains a chemical called butylphthalide that, when eaten regularly or in high quantities, may reduce bad cholesterol levels.
5. Lower Inflammation in the Body
Inflammation can lead to a number of health problems, including arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. It can also increase pain in the joints and make your loved one feel bad in general. However, eating celery can reduce the amount of inflammation in the body. Celery contains several antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. These same antioxidants fight damage from free radicals.
Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive live-in care. Lincoln seniors can count on Home Care Assistance to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your parent, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.