You might have already heard about the health benefits of celery, especially as a staple for several recipes. But what about a celery root?

Although less popular, the celery root or celeriac offers as many nutritional perks as its more popular cousin. The question is, what are those?

Here’s a look at some of the health benefits of celery root and how you can add it to your diet!

What is a Celery Root?

Rather than being part of celery, celeriac is actually a root vegetable that is closely related to the well-known vegetable. It goes the same for parsley and parsnips.

One thing about them is their unique appearance, resembling a misshapen turnip with a rough and knobby surface. It also appears smooth and white, comparable to a potato.

The root vegetable is often prepared through several cooking methods, from mashing to roasting, or you can serve it raw!

Top Health Benefits of Celery Root

Despite celery root’s lack of popularity, the veggie offers a broad range of health benefits. In fact, you can say it provides just as much as the celery itself! These include the following:

Source of Antioxidants

Celeriac is a good source of antioxidants, helping protect your cells from damage and harmful substances. Moreover, they are also anti-inflammatory.

Through this, you can steer clear of several conditions, including heart disease, cancer, anti-aging, and more. At the same time, it gives your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to strengthen your immune system.

Contributes to Heart Health

Celeriac has high levels of potassium. With this, it can regulate your blood pressure as it neutralizes the effects of high salt consumption.

Additionally, vitamin K prevents heart diseases by ensuring there is no calcium buildup in your blood vessels. In line with this, its vitamin C content also contributes by improving overall blood vessel function.

Improves Digestion and Gut Health

Experts consider celeriac as a vegetable that’s high in fiber. With enough dietary fiber, you can aid and improve digestion, metabolism, and bowel movements.

Moreover, it can improve your overall gut health, treating and preventing constipation and diarrhea. Through this, it also lowers the risk of bloating and cramping.

Maintain Bone Strength

With its vitamin K content, celeriac can maintain and boost bone strength, promoting calcium absorption and reducing the risk of bone loss.

It also contains phosphorus and magnesium, which are essential for forming and sustaining bone density and overall bone health!

How to Prepare Celery Root

Next to the health benefits of celery root, the vegetable is also easy to prepare and add to different recipes. Some of the common preparation methods include mashing, boiling, baking, and roasting.

You can have it raw, adding a crunchy texture to salads or coleslaws, or cook it according to your preference. But remember that you should wash and scrub it well before peeling, cutting, and serving.

Keep in mind that you want to keep the vegetable as fresh as possible to enjoy a stronger flavor. This way, you can get the most out of its nutritional value while adding an extra kick to your meal.

In Closing

The health benefits of celery root make it a great option to add to your diet, especially if you’re looking for a type of vegetable that gives your dish an extra touch of taste and texture. With this, you can explore new recipes while maintaining the nutritional value of every meal!

So, the next time you wonder, what is a pork rind? Remember to look into its nutritional content and see how you can make it fit your diet!