Parsley is usually grown in home gardens. This popular herb is highly nutritious. It contains volatile oil components (including myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene) and flavonoids (including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin). These two provide unique health benefits. Moreover, parsley is also rich in vitamin A, C, and K, and a good source of the nutrients like magnesium, potassium, folate, iron, and calcium. Being loaded with antioxidants, the herb could protect against chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (1,2).
Can It Help Lower Down Blood Pressure?
Parsley packs a lot of nutrition. It supplies nitrates, substances that help relax our blood vessels, which then improves blood flow. As a result, this garnish in many dishes may be helpful in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. What’s more? it can also help in reducing our salt intake by replacing salt as a flavor enhancer in many dishes (3).
Research indicates that nitrate-rich foods like parsley can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Moreover, parsley contains carotenoid antioxidants, which have been found to benefit heart health by reducing heart disease risk factors. A study revealed that a diet packed with carotenoid-rich foods can help lower down elevated blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels and fight chronic inflammation (4,5).
Other Health Benefits Of Parsley
Protecting against diabetes – It has myricetin that has also been examined for use in the treatment and prevention of diabetes (6).
Boosts immunity – Its vitamin C helps in promoting the production of white blood cells, acts as an antioxidant, and fights the impact of free radicals on your body. Additionally, vitamin C can also protect us from a number of chronic diseases (7).
Supports bone health – Parsley is packed with vitamin K, an essential nutrient for optimal bone health (8).
How To Enjoy The Benefits Of Parsley
Having a spicy, peppery flavor, fresh chopped parsley pairs well with poultry dishes, egg dishes, seafood, grain-based salads, potatoes, and tomato-based sauces.
Simply add chopped parsley to any homemade salad dressing, throw a few sprigs of it into our favorite green juices, or have a handful of it to finish off an omelet.
Sources:
- http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=100
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614697/
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/483532-parsley-blood-pressure/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/parsley#kidney-health
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4321000/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284490#nutrition
- https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/benefits-parsley-tea.php
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/parsley-benefits