As people grow older, it becomes important for them to eat a healthy diet packed with fresh nutrient-rich vegetables. For the elderly, celery offers numerous health benefits and may even prevent some of the signs of aging.
When it comes to promoting senior health and wellbeing, professional caregivers play an important role. Lakewood, Home Care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. These professionals discuss 5 health benefits of celery for seniors.
1. Lower Blood Pressure
Keeping blood pressure under control can be difficult with age, especially if your loved one has other underlying health problems. High blood pressure can lead to coronary artery disease, which is the number one cause of death in most developed countries. However, celery may help combat those high numbers. Studies involving rats have shown that the rats who received daily celery extract had an overall lower blood pressure than those that did not. It is believed that the vegetable helps the blood vessels contract, increasing circulation and allowing calcium and potassium to enter and leave the cells easily.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is important at any age, and seniors tend to slow down when it comes to physical activity. Some seniors may lose their mobility, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Incorporating celery into the diet can help seniors maintain a healthy weight. The fiber-packed veggie helps seniors feel full for long after eating it. It also works with any type of diet, whether your loved one watches calories, fat, or carbohydrates. The average medium-sized celery stalk has about six calories, 1.2 carbohydrates, and less than 0.10 grams of fat. Make it a regular daily snack to boost your loved one’s health.
3. Protect Liver Health
According to a study at the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Helwan University in Egypt, rats who were fed celery regularly had healthier and better functioning livers than those who weren’t. Less fat built up in their livers, and their liver enzyme function and blood lipid levels were better. The rats did even better when fed celery with chicory and barley. It’s time to start adding these foods to your loved one’s diet because aging increases the risk of several major liver diseases.
4. Lower Cholesterol Levels
Just like high blood pressure, high cholesterol can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Celery may help prevent cholesterol from reaching high levels. The vegetable contains a chemical called butylphthalide that, when eaten regularly or in high quantities, may reduce bad cholesterol levels.
5. Lower Inflammation in the Body
Inflammation can lead to a number of health problems, including arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. It can also increase the pain in the joints and make your loved one feel bad in general. However, eating celery can reduce the amount of inflammation in the body. Celery contains several antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, which may even help with your aging loved one’s physical appearance. These same antioxidants fight free-radical damage. Celery seeds can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in seniors. If your aging loved one has Alzheimer’s, you should consider hiring a professional caregiver to tend to his or her needs.
Home Care Assistance is a trusted provider of senior home care in Jefferson County. Alzheimer’s care is one of our main specialties. Our caregivers can help seniors with Alzheimer’s manage their condition while performing daily tasks like exercise, bathing, and cooking, and we also provide a wide array of mentally stimulating activities.
Caring for seniors can be a challenging task. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing a serious illness and require more extensive 24-hour care. Jefferson County seniors can count on Home Care Assistance to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. If you need a reliable, compassionate, and dedicated caregiver for your aging loved one, call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (303) 987-5992.