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Adding a quick sprinkle of chopped parsley on top of any dish is enough to bring it to life. Not only does it add some freshness to the dish, the health benefits of parsley are quite profound as well. This Italian herb is known for its amazing benefits for skin, hair and overall health.
If you have been adding a little of fresh or dried parsley to your cooking, chances are that you are doing your health good without realizing. But, having a better knowledge of things is always better, isn’t it?
Here, we are going to share some of the benefits of eating parsley that you likely didn’t know of.
Nutritional Value of Parsley
When it comes to parsley, before looking through the benefits, it is better that you get a glimpse into the nutrient content first.
| Compounds | Amount |
| Calories | 22 calories |
| Carbs | 4 gms |
| Protein | 2 gms |
| Fat | 2 gms |
| Fiber | 2 gms |
| Vitamin A | 216% of RDI |
| Vitamin C | 106% of RDI |
| Vitamin K | 1094% of RDI |
| Folate | 22% of RDI |
| Potassium | 8% of RDI |
These proportions are with respect to 1 cup of chopped fresh parsley leaves, so make sure that you do keep that in consideration.
Health benefits of parsley
Now that we are aware of the nutrient levels and composition of parsley, it is important that we do take a look through the health benefits of parsley.
1. Enriched with antioxidants
Parsley is loaded with antioxidants. For those who aren’t aware, antioxidants are the compounds which help in fighting the risks of oxidative stress.
These antioxidants have beneficial impacts in prevent cellular free radical damage for a healthier life. Parsley has a combination of antioxidants (R)(R) in it including flavonoids, carotenoids as well as Vitamin C.
There have been conducted studies (R) which have found the beneficial impacts of flavonoids in keeping the risks of chronic diseases in control.
The presence of Vitamin C in the parsley also contributes to better immune health (R) in general.
Studies (R) have also found that the dried form of parsley has a higher antioxidant percentage in comparison to the fresh ones.
2. Help promote better kidney health
Our kidney health requires a good boost of nutrients every once in a while. Parsley has amazing benefits in promoting better kidney cleanse.
One of the conducted studies (R) found that the consumption of parsley has diuretic impacts on the body which is associated with timely kidney cleanse. The study was conducted on rats and it was found that the rats who were given a paste of parsley drink excreted more urine in 24 hours in comparison to the ones who didn’t.
The cleansing has beneficial impacts on prevention of the kidney diseases including kidney stones and infections too.
Even the parsley roots are believed to have potent benefits in reducing the incidence of kidney stones.
3. Protection against the risks of breast cancer
Yet another one of the health benefits of parsley is that it provides with protection against the risks of breast cancer.
As we mentioned before, parsley is loaded with flavonoids. One of the flavonoids apigenin has amazing benefits in protecting our tissues from the possible risks of cancer.
It has also been found (R) to have beneficial impacts in preventing cancer cell growth.
It is believed to be one of the most potent treatment options when it comes to breast cancer, so adding a handful of chopped parsley to your salads can effectively help provide with faster cure. This is also considered one of the best non-toxic treatment options.
4. Has amazing anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation in the body is tied with the risks of chronic diseases and in extreme cases, can lead to fatality as well.
One of the primary answers to what parsley does to the body is that it helps reduce the risks of inflammation.
The combination of the various types of vitamins including Vitamin A, C and K help reduce the risks of inflammation, especially beneficial for the arthritic patients.
The presence of the antioxidants in addition to that further helps keep your health in check. It also possesses anti-inflammatory (R) properties in it.
5. Boosts your overall immunity
We did talk about it in the beginning but the presence of Vitamin C (R) in parsley is touted beneficial for improving the overall immunity.
In addition to that, the presence of the antioxidants further helps keep the overall immune system in check.
It is also believed that the essential oils in parsley keep your immune response regulated.
Apart from keeping you protected from the common diseases, it also promotes faster wound healing (R) as well.
6. Promotes heart health
Parsley is a heart healthy herb, which means that it helps promote better heart and overall cardiovascular functions.
The presence of folic acid in the herb is what is believed to help keep your heart healthy(R).
The high levels of homocysteine in the blood stream have been associated with poor heart health, especially enhancing the risks of damage to the arteries and veins.
Folic acid has been found to have amazing benefits in helping reduce the risks associated with that.
Not just that, the high levels of folic acid has also been found to have effective impacts in inhibiting the proliferation of the cancer cells.
In general, the consumption of parsley has been associated with improved heart functions in general.
7. Prevents risks of cancers
Even though we did mention and talk about the impacts of parsley for breast cancer, it is important that we do talk about the impacts it has in prevent the risks of several other cancers in general.
Apart from the parsley in its raw form, the oil from the parsley also contains a number of essential oils and volatile compounds which have been found to have anti-cancer properties.
Some of the compounds like myristicin, limonene, eugenol impose amazing benefits in helping prevent the risks of cancer for good.
These have been found to help boost the overall immunity and at the same time, help fight the cancer to the core.
They have amazing benefits in slowing down unprecedented tumor growth and even ward off the risks of uncontrolled free radical damage in the body.
Parsley is also considered a chemo protective plant, mainly because of the fact that it protects the DNA from any kind of damage. It prevents the risks of mutation and proliferates the process of apoptosis or the planned cell death that helps get rid of the harmful cells.
8. Promotes better bone health
Yet another one of the benefits of eating parsley is that it helps keep your bone strong and in the best condition.
The Vitamin K present in parsley is what is believed to have beneficial impacts in helping promote better bone health and prevent unnecessary risks of injury.
The regulated presence of Vitamin K in the body helps promote the production of osteoblasts in the body which helps support bone health for the better.
It also contributes to the formation of proteins (R) that help promote better bone density.
Even a number of conducted studies (R) have found that the consumption of optimal levels of Vitamin K in a day can help reduce the risks of fractures in individuals.
9. Prevents the risks of edema
Edema is a condition characterized by the swelling of the certain body parts. If you have been experiencing something similar, it is likely because of the water retention in your body.
Studies (R) have found that parsley has effective diuretic properties which impose positive impacts in helping reduce the risks associated with edema.
Additionally, parsley also helps maintain a balance between the electrolyte balances in the body which again is considered to be one of the primary reasons why it is believed to be an effective remedy for better health.
It also helps enrich the levels of potassium in the body as well.
10. Amazing to slow down aging
No one wants to age, especially not before their age. If you don’t want to rely on the unnatural ways for mitigating that and want to slow down the aging process, parsley is considered one of the best natural remedies for that.
The presence of Vitamin C in it is what helps promote the collagen production (R) in the skin that prevents the early signs of aging.
Collagen helps improve the appearance of the fine lines and wrinkles (R) and prevents making your skin looking aged and dull.
11. Promotes better digestion
If you have been having a hard time digesting your food, parsley can help with that.
It is believed to be a soothing herb that reduces the risks associated with bloating and constant indigestion that you are likely going to experience.
Not just that, it is also believed that parsley contains compounds in it that have direct impacts in promoting better expulsion of gas from the body, thus letting you feel better after eating.
In general, parsley is believed to have amazing impacts on your digestive health and promote better well being.
12. Helps support anemic patients
If you suffer from anemia, it is likely that you will have a hard time keeping a check on your health. Constant fatigue and weakness are often considered to be the common issues.
Parsley does have a high iron content which has amazing benefits in helping keep your anemia in check. If you struggle with iron deficient anemia, adding parsley to your diet can do magic for you.
Even studies (R) have found that parsley has antianemic properties in a preclinical trial that was conducted in mice.
Not just that, the combination of the Vitamin C with the high iron content ensures to further promote better iron absorption for a healthier life.
13. Positive impacts against diabetes
If you struggle with diabetes, the nutritional value of parsley can help reverse that issue.
A compound, myricetin, which is found in parsley has been found to have positive impacts in helping prevent the risks associated with insulin resistance, thus helping regulate your diabetes.
Not just that, parsley also has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties which have been found to have positive impacts in helping reduce the fat levels in the blood stream, thus promoting better transfer of the consumed carbs and such.
Even a conducted study (R) with a rat model found that the daily supplementation with parsley helped reduce the glucose levels in the rat over the course of the study.
If you have the risks of diabetes or are in the early stages, one of the best ways to keep that in check is with the consumption of parsley.
14. Helps fight off infections
If you have the affinity to contract bacterial or fungal infections very easily, one of the best ways to combat that is with parsley.
This fresh herb has a combination of antibacterial and antifungal properties. Don’t even believe the amazing benefits in helping ward off the risks associated with the infections.
The parsley oil is considered one of the best for your skin. It helps you get rid of any form of infections and even lighten the appearance of blemishes.
But, since it is an essential oil it is always important that you mix it with some form of carrier oil first. And then apply it on the affected area which can be more helpful for the most of the people all around. Additionally, you can even patch test it first.
15. Promotes better eye health
Another one of the health benefits of eating parsley is that it promotes better eye health.
The carotenoids present in the parsley including beta carotene and lutein has positive impacts on your eyes. Not only do they protect your eyes from free radical damage, they also impose better benefits.
Lutein has been found to have beneficial impacts in preventing the risks associated with macular degeneration. Even studies (R) have found that the consumption of the foods like parsley which have a high content of lutein can help reduce the risks of macular degeneration by 26%.
Even the beta carotene promotes better vision and overall eye health which again is a necessity to keep it in the best possible condition.
16. Might promote weight loss
Even though there are not many studies to assert the claim, it is believed that the consumption of parsley can effectively help promote the overall weight loss results.
Not just that, parsley is also low on calories and has been found to have positive impacts (R) on boosting the metabolism in the body.
Aside from that, parsley also helps prevent the risks of water retention, further ensuring the best results for your body.
The overall proper functioning of the body is what is associated with better weight loss results.
17. Prevents halitosis
Halitosis or bad breath is a condition that you effectively put you in a very embarrassing position.
If you don’t want things to get out of hand, consuming parsley can help keep your breath in check.
Even though it is hard to pin point the exact reasons behind the mechanism of work. It is believed that the freshness and their are many natural compounds in the parsley. These even helps promote freshness of breath, especially after the consumption of onions and garlic which are rich in sulfur.
18. Regulates your cholesterol levels
Optimal and regulated cholesterol levels in the blood stream are key if you do want to keep your health in check.
High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood stream are associated with the heightened risks of cardiovascular issues.
The fiber content in parsley has been found to be beneficial in keeping the cholesterol levels. And prevent any kind of unnecessary risks that you are imposing on your body.
Not just that, studies (R) have also found that the flavonoid content in parsley has positive impacts in helping reduce the cholesterol levels and promote better health.
19. Improves overall brain health
You might not realize this but one of the benefits of eating parsley is that it helps boost the overall brain health of an individual.
The flavonoid apigenin that is found in the herb has been found to have beneficial impacts. Those helps you promoting better cognitive function and enhance the neural connections in the brain as well.
It also helps prevent the risks of the constant neurodegenerative risks. These are which further contribute to conditions like Alzheimer’s, depression etc.
Even a conducted study found that their are lot health benefits of parsley in improving the overall mitochondrial function in the brain.
20. Aids menstrual cycle issues
If you struggle with issues during your menstrual cycle, one of the best ways to get over that is with parsley.
The two plant compounds, apiol and myristicin have been found to have amazing emmenagogue effects on the body. It is which means that it stimulates the normal menstrual flow.
There are not enough scientific evidence to back these claims, But it is believed by the naturopaths that the consumption of parsley or parsley juice might have beneficial impacts in combating these issues.
If you have been wondering about the health benefits of parsley? These are the top ones that you absolutely can’t miss out on. Make sure that you do look through the available options because at the end of the day. That is what makes all the difference. It is always important that you consult your doctor before you start with the consumption of parsley. Most importantly, if you do consume specific medications for chronic diseases.
