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Words: 480 Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney
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Eating celery regularly can control high blood pressure without 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 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 smooth muscles that line blood vessels. 3nb also lowers level of stress hormones called catacholamines.
In Middle East patients have routinely been given half a pound of celery a day to control hypertension. According to researchers at University of Chicago, animals fed celery extracts had blood pressure readings 14 percent lower than those animals who did not receive extracts. The animals were given 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 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 body, ratio between potassium and sodium is more than two to one. Most prepared foods, including cooked vegetables, reduce ratio more than tenfold.