Parsley: Healthy Herb

Parsley is an herb that's misunderstood on several levels. You're familiar with this plant because it offers its deep-green hue as a garnish on restaurant dishes. You are also likely to finding parsley sprinkled on lasagna and other Italian foods.

Most people don't eat enough parsley. According to recent studies, this herb is one of the healthiest plants used in the culinary arts today. Get to know the real, health benefits found in raw parsley. Incorporating it into your next meal can make a difference with its nutritional density.

The Vitamin Aspect

Tossing back a multivitamin every day isn't as effective for your health as consuming nutrients in their natural forms. Parsley is packed with vitamins that are critical to your daily needs, such as:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

If you broke down these vitamins, you'd be astounded to find that vitamin K is in the greatest abundance. One serving of parsley has more than 1,000 percent of your daily value required of vitamin K alone.

Experts associate vitamin K with optimal, bone health and cardiovascular strength. It comes in different types from a molecular perspective so gaining a dense amount of vitamin K from any natural source is beneficial to the body.

Vitamin A targets your skin and eyes, which can decline as aging sets in. Luckily, parsley has 100 percent of your daily value when it comes to vitamin A. Clear views and healthy skin are desired, side effects of a parsley-rich diet.

Both vitamin C and E are immunity boosting nutrients. You find them in parsley, especially when you eat it in its natural state. Ideally, choose fresh parsley to gain all of these vitamins in your diet.

Mineral Content

If the vitamin content didn't astound you, the minerals found within humble parsley are impressive. Through photosynthesis and soil interactions, parsley holds a generous amount of these nutrients, such as:

• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Folate
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Copper
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium

If you read carefully, many of these minerals are metal-based types. The human body uses a mixture of minerals that include metals because of their distinct reactions with other compounds in the body. Electrical signaling between nerve cells and fluid movement among the tissues couldn't happen without metals being used for their conductive properties.

Other minerals within parsley have powerful effects on your health. Calcium is widely known for its positive impact on bone health. Potassium is directly associated with water-and-sodium balances in the body. Folate is necessary for a healthy heart. The fact that parsley offers all of these nutrients in one serving allows you to simplify your diet while gaining the necessary nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.

Antioxidant Power

As soon as the human body reaches adulthood, it begins to age. As organic creatures, humans must consume nutrients and treat their bodies well to fight off aging for as long as possible. Part of the aging process involves oxidation, which breaks down tissues at the molecular level.

Combat oxidation with antioxidants found in parsley. These substances include:

• Alpha carotene
• Beta carotene
• Lycopene
• Luteolin
• Apigenin

Antioxidant flavonoids fight aging, and they also combat illnesses as you grow into the senior years. Degenerative ailments, from heart disease to bone loss, are no match against antioxidants coursing through the body.

You'll notice that the skin appears more supple than before, and your energy levels increase with regular, antioxidant consumption. Add parsley to any meal for these benefits. It works well in these recipe types, such as: soups, casseroles and sandwiches.

Parsley has a slightly bitter taste with a peppery twist. Mix it with acidic items, such as tomatoes, to get a balanced sensation on your palate. Most culinary professionals swear by this herb as a way to elevate a dish. In reality, it boosts your health on countless levels.

Essential-Oil Properties

Essential oils are substances found in plants that have a wide variety of effects on the human body. Parsley has lesser-known oils, but they still pack a nutrient punch on many ill effects. These oils include:

• Alpha-thujene
• Eugenol
• Limonene
• Myristicin
• Apiol

The chemical reactions of oils within the human body are still being evaluated by the professionals. Currently, they're known to fight off cancer growths and improve your digestive tract.

Cancer tumors rely on oxidation and cellular mutations to grow and spread. Parsley's essential oils combat these prime conditions.

Create a tea from parsley by steeping the roots in hot water. The essential oils that flow into your drink can be quickly picked up by your digestive system. Detoxify your body, balance out fluids and reduce any bloating or flatulence occurring in the intestines.

Parsley's essential oils are also effective as a topical. Apply some of your cooled tea onto your belly. Digestive distress can fade away as a result.

Inflammation Control

Inflammation is the body's natural reaction to an imbalance. Scrape your knee, and the area becomes inflamed as blood rushes to the site. Chronic inflammation, such as among your major organs, isn't a welcome process. It contributes to pain and tissue decline over time.

Employ a healthy diet of parsley so that you can benefit from a more balanced body. Inflammation can be a thing of the past. The urinary tract, gallbladder and joints are directly impacted with reduced inflammation. Kidney stones may not impact your life as much as they would without the parsley in your diet too.

Phenolic compounds found within parsley can also contribute to inflammation control. These substances, including tannins, influence your metabolism. You're able to burn fat calories, remove water from your tissues and balance out inflammation reactions. Simply keep parsley handy in the kitchen to keep up with these health benefits.

Consuming too much of any food isn't healthy for the human body. Remind yourself that moderation is the key to a long and happy life. Add a generous amount of parsley to your daily meals while relying on proper, portion amounts too. Lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains will leave you satisfied as you gain all of the necessary vitamins for optimal health.