Boost your New Year's Eve salad and health with celeriac, celery's overlooked cousin

Celery comes in two famous forms: the known celery stalks and the less popular celeriac, or root celery. Both deserve a special place in any balanced diet. They offer a wealth of health-promoting nutrients and make an excellent flavor-enhancing addition to various dishes.

Celeriac is known for being a rich source of various vitamins and minerals. Consuming it primarily provides our body with vitamins C, A, E, B group vitamins, along with folic acid and vitamin PP. It's worth noting that celeriac contains twice as much vitamin C, essential for our immunity, as citrus fruits. Furthermore, celeriac can help combat stress due to its active constituents that increase resilience to stressful situations, act as an antidepressant, and exert a calming effect.

Celeriac is often labeled as a natural aphrodisiac. Regular consumption of this vegetable can increase androsterone, a male hormone, and an androgen, thereby contributing to a rise in men's libido.

The high vitamin C content in celery stalks, significantly more than in citrus fruits, makes it a health-boosting vegetable. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, thus preventing cardiovascular disease and tissue damage.

Furthermore, celery is hailed as a potent weapon in fighting cancer. It contains apigenin and luteolin, compounds with a demonstrated capacity to counteract cancer cells, especially those found in the ovaries, prostate, pancreas, liver, and breasts. Regularly consuming celery stalk juice, around 2-3 times a week, can curb the risk of lung cancer by 60 percent. Moreover, celery aids in weight loss and body detoxification and may even stir up passion, being a natural aphrodisiac, just like celeriac.

Both the roots and leaves of celery blend well in various combinations. Commonly, we opt for pickled or slightly boiled celeriac, though fresh celery is tastier. Whether you prefer one type of celery over another, it's worth incorporating this vegetable into your salads.