| Health Benefits of Parsley | | | | And three, the body's natural systems designed |
| Although most of us think of it as a simple | | | | to control blood pressure in the short term is |
| garnish, herbalists and other traditional healers | | | | overactive in people with chronic hypertension. |
| believe that the benefits of parsley are numerous. | | | | This leads to constriction of the blood vessels and |
| Scientific evaluation of the dietary effects of | | | | increases retention of water and salt. Some of |
| parsley support some of these traditional uses. | | | | the prescription medications for the treatment of |
| And, the nutritional value of parsley is higher than | | | | high blood pressure are designed to improve the |
| you might expect. | | | | body's ability to rid itself of excess fluids and salt. |
| One of the primary health benefits of parsley is | | | | They are called "diuretics". |
| as a food source. Over the years both the leaves | | | | Scientific evaluations of the dietary effects of |
| and the roots of some varieties have been eaten | | | | parsley have shown that it enhances the kidney's |
| by people all over the world. Some ethnic dishes | | | | ability to excrete sodium and water, thus it acts |
| rely on the herb for its fresh flavor. It goes | | | | as a natural diuretic. It also improves the function |
| particularly well with fish, but can also be used in | | | | of potassium in the body. Potassium counteracts |
| sauces, soups, stews and salads. | | | | the negative effects of salt. |
| Unfortunately, in America, most people view | | | | Other reported health benefits of parsley are to |
| parsley as a garnish and leave it uneaten. Big | | | | improve blood flow in the pelvic region and to |
| mistake. | | | | strengthen the bladder. Modern evaluations of the |
| As a food source, the nutritional value of parsley | | | | dietary effects of parsley do not support these |
| comes mostly from its vitamin C content. A | | | | claims. |
| mere 3 ½ ounces contains 133mg of | | | | Parsley contains a compound (oxalic acid) that is |
| vitamin C, more than double the USRDA for the | | | | involved in the formation of kidney stones. If |
| vitamin. Although when it comes to vitamin C, | | | | consumed in large amounts over long periods of |
| many nutritionists feel that individuals can benefit | | | | time, this compound can result in calcium and |
| from thousands of milligrams per day, particularly | | | | other nutrient deficiencies, because it binds to |
| from food sources. | | | | these minerals, making them unavailable for use in |
| The high nutritional value of parsley also comes | | | | the body. |
| from its vitamin A content; 421 mcg per 3 | | | | On the other hand, when calcium supplements are |
| ½ ounces, about 50% of the USRDA for | | | | taken with foods containing oxalic acid, the effect |
| that vitamin. Vitamin A is an antioxidant, meaning | | | | is counteracted. The oxalic acid is not absorbed |
| it reduces the damaging affects of oxygen on the | | | | and it is excreted from the body harmlessly. A |
| cells of the human body. But, the dietary effects | | | | handful a day or the amount found in whole food |
| of parsley do not end with its vitamin content. | | | | supplements should provide the health benefits of |
| The health benefits of parsley in herbal medicine | | | | parsley, without the possible effects of over |
| include its use in the control of high blood | | | | consumption. |
| pressure. Chinese and German herbalists | | | | Numerous public health organizations have made |
| recommend parsley tea for this purpose. Scientific | | | | recommendations to eat a wide variety of fruits, |
| evaluations of the dietary effects of parsley | | | | vegetables, low-fat dairy products, nuts and whole |
| seem to support this recommendation. | | | | grains. The nutritional value of parsley is high, but |
| Several different underlying problems have been | | | | it does not contain everything that the body |
| associated with hypertension or high blood | | | | needs to function efficiently on a daily basis. |
| pressure. One, the kidneys lose their ability to | | | | The health benefits of parsley and other |
| excrete sodium (salt) efficiently, disturbing the | | | | vegetables, as well as fruits, nuts and whole grains |
| natural balance of water and salt in the body. | | | | cover every system of the human body. For |
| Two, people who have high blood pressure are | | | | those who do not get their recommended 5-10 |
| usually "salt-sensitive"; salt tends to increase fluid | | | | servings per day, a whole food supplement is a |
| retention in their bodies. | | | | good option. |