Parsleys unique taste and great health benefits should award it a place in your diet other than as a table garnish. This close relative of celery has many health benefits.
Parsley Nutrition
The health benefits of parsley may be traced to its superior nutrition. Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C and vitamin A. Just 1 cup of parsley contains over 100 percent of the daily value for vitamins C and A and a whopping 1000 percent of the daily value for vitamin K.
Parsley for Healthy Bones
The high vitamin K content of parsley may be useful in protecting against osteoporosis by preventing the activation of cells called osteoclasts that cause bone loss.
Parsley for Detoxification
A compound in parsley, called myristicin, is able to activate the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, which in turn switches on glutathione, the powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
Parsley for Cancer Prevention
Parsley contains the two cancer protective antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A (the precursor to beta-carotene. Another flavonoids compound called luteolin, found in parsley, is a powerful antioxidant, which may play a role in cancer prevention
Parsley for Heart Disease Prevention
Parsley is rich in vitamin C- the blood vessel protector and vitamin A, which has been shown to help lower blood cholesterol. Parsley is rich in other antioxidant nutrients too, which help scavenge free radicals from the bloodstream that could otherwise damage blood vessels, making then more susceptible to plaque and cholesterol buildup. It is also rich in folic acid, which helps lower levels of a toxic amino acid linked to heart disease, homocysteine.