Celery Lowers Blood Pressure

Celery contains a naturally occuring substance "apigenin" which helps reduce blood pressure

Celery Lowers Blood Pressure
By Marilyn Pokorney

Eating celery regularly can control high blood pressure without the use of drugs according to China's Hunan Hemotological Research Center.

Celery contains a naturally occurring chemical called "apigenin" which has been shown to dilate the blood vessels and contribute to preventing high blood pressure. Celery also contains very small amounts of a chemical in called 3-n-butylphtalide (3nb) which lowers blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels. 3nb also lowers the level of stress hormones called catacholamines.

In the Middle East patients have routinely been given half a pound of celery a day to control hypertension. According to researchers at the University of Chicago, animals fed celery extracts had blood pressure readings 14 percent lower than those animals who did not receive the extracts. The animals were given the equivalent of 2 stalks daily. Systolic blood pressure readings went down an average of 15 points.

Compared to other vegetables celery has a nigh natural sodium content so it can satisfy the craving for salt on low-salt diets. It also has a high potassium value. This makes it excellent for people who are taking hypertensive medications. Celery contains 341 milligrams potassium and 125 milligrams sodium per 100 gram serving. Any food with a ratio of at least three parts potassium to one part sodium is good for people with high blood pressure. In the body, the ratio between potassium and sodium is more than two to one. Most prepared foods, including cooked vegetables, reduce the ratio more than tenfold.