Parsley, A Herbaceous Plant With Health Benefits
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| Illustration of the Parsley, A Herbaceous Plant With Health Benefits |
Parsley, A Herbaceous Plant With Health Benefits. Parsley is a herbaceous plant from the Mediterranean region that has begun to be widely cultivated in Indonesia. The plant has long been used as a flavor enhancer in cooking, as well as in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including hypertension and menstrual cramps.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is recognizable by its green leaves and has serrated edges. This vegetable, also known as parsley, is actually still related to celery. Therefore, parsley also has an appearance that is not much different from vegetable parsley.
Parsley and its nutritional value
It is known that parsley is consumed by people who want to or are on a diet. How could it be otherwise, 100 grams of parsley alone contains only 53 calories and a little fat.
In addition, parsley also contains several other important nutrients that the body needs, such as:
- 9 g Carbohydrate
- 4 g protein
- 3 g fiber
- 193 mg Calcium
- 84 mg Phosphorus
- 1,125 mg potassium
- 6 mg Iron
- 421 mcg vitamin A
- 193 mg vitamin C
- 1.640 mcg Vitamin K
Parsley also contains zinc, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, niacin, as well as various types of bioactive compounds such as beta-carotene, myricetin, apigenin, polyphenols, and chlorophyll.
The various health benefits of parsley
Due to its many nutrients, it's no surprise that parsley has many health benefits. Well, here are some of the benefits of parsley that should not be missed:
1. Strengthens immunity
Due to its high content of vitamin A and vitamin C, it is believed that the use of parsley boosts the immune system. This is because both vitamins play a role in increasing the production of white blood cells and optimizing their function in fighting bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Thus, the body does not get sick easily.
2. Maintain healthy hair
Having healthy, thick and shiny hair is everyone's dream. Well, one way to do this is to use parsley as a hair mask.
This benefit is due to the content of vitamin C, which is able to strengthen and protect hair from damage. In addition, the vitamin E content of parsley is known to stimulate healthy hair growth.
3. Prevention of anemia
Parsley is also known to prevent anemia. This is because parsley contains folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, which play an important role in the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Well, with a sufficient amount of blood and hemoglobin, the body will also avoid anemia.
4. Reduces menstrual cramps
For women who often complain of pain or cramping in the lower abdomen during menstruation, try eating foods that contain vitamin E, such as parsley. This is because vitamin E is able to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals in the body that cause lower abdominal pain during menstruation.
5. Lowers blood pressure
It is known that parsley is well consumed by people with high blood pressure. The fact is that this green vegetable contains calcium, potassium and arginine, which can lower blood pressure by expanding and relaxing the walls of blood vessels.
Because of its effectiveness, eating parsley can also indirectly reduce the risk of heart disease.
6. Lowers cholesterol levels
Due to its niacin, carotenoids, and calcium content, regular consumption of parsley is also known to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels in the blood. Well, thanks to these benefits, consuming parsley can also prevent the risk of heart disease.
7. Prevents the formation of kidney stones
Kidney stones are formed when waste products from some metabolic waste or mineral, such as calcium, accumulate and form crystals in the kidneys. Well, one way to prevent the formation of kidney stones is to use parsley.
This benefit is evidenced by research that found that the chlorophyll, magnesium, and vitamin B6 content of parsley can reduce calcium deposition by increasing the volume and pH value of urine. In this way, the formation of kidney stones in the urine can be reduced.
8. Prevents macular degeneration
Eating parsley is also known to prevent macular degeneration. This is because parsley contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are able to increase the density of pigment in the eyes and protect the eyes from damage caused by excessive UV exposure.
In addition, parsley also contains vitamin A, which can keep the cornea of the eye clean and moist. In this way, it is possible to maintain overall eye health.
9. Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
The content of vitamin K, calcium, and phosphorus parsley is beneficial for reducing the risk of osteoporosis. This is because these three ingredients can maintain bone density and strength, so that the risk of osteoporosis in the future can be reduced.
10. Prevents Cancer
The study found that regular consumption of parsley was also effective in reducing the risk of various types of cancer, ranging from skin cancer, lung cancer, to prostate cancer.
These benefits are achieved due to the content of parsley bioactive compounds such as myricetin, apigenin, carnosol, and luteolin, which can stop the growth and development of cancer cells.
Most people usually use parsley as a garnish or garnish on top of food to decorate it. However, parsley can also be an additive to many types of delicious foods, such as salads, soups, and stir-fries.
Parsley is generally safe to consume. However, some people may be allergic to this vegetable. Therefore, if you experience allergy symptoms in the form of swollen lips, mouth, and throat after consuming parsley, do not hesitate to contact your doctor online for proper treatment recommendations.
Also, if you are taking anticoagulant medications, you should consult your doctor first before consuming parsley. This is because parsley contains vitamin K, which plays an important role in blood clotting, so it can interfere with blood-thinning drugs.
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