Parsley – It’s More Than Just A Decoration

Most people tend to push aside that little sprig of parsely that always decorates your plate. You may want to stop next time and eat it instead. Just two tablespoons of this wonderful spice is packed with nutrients!

Parsley is a relative of celery and contains vitamin K (153%) of your daily intake, vitamins C, A, folate, iron and only 1 calorie per tablespoon. It happens to have a ton of health benefits as well. For instance, it contains folic acid which is great for the heart and one of the most important B vitamins. The huge amount of vitamin K is great for strengthening bones and reducing calcium build up in tissue which can cause heart diseases and stroke!

Parsley also contains 2 unusual components in volatile oil and flavanoides. Volatile oil is shown to inhibit tumor growth in animals especially in the lungs. It’s also a chemoprotective food and helps to neutralize some carcinogens like benzopyrenes which are part of cigararette smoke and charcole smoke.

Flavanoids function like anti-oxidents and they have been reported to have antiviral, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory health benefits as well! Terrific for arthritis.

Did you know that parsley can also help with bad breath or that it can help boost the immune system?

Parsley comes in many forms, the two most popular being curly and Italian flat leaf. The Italian flat leaf is the more fragrant of the two parsleys.

So don’t send that tiny little leaf back to the kitchen anymore