Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body: Parsley

We are all used to decorating our food with parsley. It seems to be the ideal spice due to its fresh flavor: it's great with a huge variety of foods, but few of us know that apart from giving that special "spring" taste to foods, it has also important health benefits.

Parsley is a good source of vitamin C, which is extremely important for a strong immune system. A portion of only 30g of parsley will get you more than half of the necessary daily amount of vitamin C. Also, parsley contains a significant quantity of beta-carotene, which is used within the body to produce vitamin A. Vitamin K is another nutrient which is found in significant amounts in parsley: it plays a key role in blood clotting, and in bone mineralization, as well.

Vitamins C and A, as well as beta-carotene, act as antioxidants, protecting cells from free radicals, responsible for inducing various diseases and even cancer.

Parsley is rich in folic acid, which is a very important B vitamin, critical for a healthy cardiovascular system: spice up you food with fresh parsley to prevent damage to blood vessels and heart. Also, folic acid is very important for a proper division of cells in the organism.

Parsley is a good source of iron, which performs many functions in the body, one of the most important being the transport of oxygen in the blood. Also, iron is critical for the proper functioning of many enzymes in the body, including those responsible for energy production, and it also improves the immune system.

Parsley is a good source of magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Magnesium is a micro element which is involved in several hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium supports a proper function of nerves and muscles, it enhances one's immunity, it keeps a proper density of the bones, and is involved in protein synthesis. Potassium supports a proper function of many constitutive parts of the body, such as kidneys, heart, nervous system, muscles. Potassium deficiency can lead to weakness, fatigue. Calcium is a well known "ingredient" of healthy bones, teeth and nail, and is a key component for the processes of production of enzymes and hormones necessary for digestion, energy production, and lipid metabolism.

Parsley acts as a disinfectant of the medium and superior respiratory pipes. It is recommended for people with breathing problems, as it improves asthma, and it also improves allergies by inhibiting the secretion of histamine. Parsley juice helps treating toothache and freshens up the breath.

Parsley is a great medicine for anorexic persons, or for those with weak appetites. Chewing several leafs before the food intake will increase one's appetite, due to the volatile oil contained in parsley which is known to increase circulation to the digestive tract.

So next time you get a parsley leaf on your dinner plate, don't even think about throwing it away, considering all the health benefits that it offers you!

Sources:
Linda Gilbert, Parsley, Sally's Place
Encyclopedia of spices, Parsley
The Amazing Health Benefits of Parsley, or, "Hey, I Shouldn't Be Just a Table Garnish!"
by www.SixWise.com