Parsley is an antioxidant-rich herb that may help manage diabetes, boost parsley and celery immune system, and improve bone health. Parsley is an herb that came from the Mediterranean region of southern Italy, Algeria, and Tunisia. It is scientifically known as Petroselinum hortense and Petroselinum crispum. It is used as an herb, a green leafy vegetable, and as a spice in its fresh and dried form.
It is consumed in many different ways, including garnishing, salads, stocks, and sandwiches. Actually, both the leaf and the root are used in Mediterranean and European cuisines. The leaf is further divided into two more types: curly leaf and flat-leaf or Italian parsley. When it comes to taste, parsley has a peppery flavor. It has a mildly bitter taste and a pronounced earthy flavor. Parsley root is also popular for its high vitamin C and iron content.
It can also be a very good source of volatile compounds such as myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. Its leaves contain energy, carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Health Benefits of Parsley Let’s take a look at the top health benefits of parsley in detail. These compounds can have antioxidant properties and they may help to keep the immune system healthy. A 2006 study suggests that some of these antioxidants can help in the free radical-scavenging activity. This means that parsley may have a role in helping prevent chronic diseases. One study also showed that apigenin, found in plants like parsley and celery, can have a therapeutic effect on autoimmune diseases.