Researchers has found that a compound in parsley, celery and other plant products, including fruits and nuts, is associated with stopping certain breast cancer tumor cells from multiplying and growing.

Scientists exposed rats with a certain type of breast cancer to apigenin, a common compound found in parsley and other plant products. The rats that were exposed to the apigenin developed fewer tumors and experienced significant delays in tumor formation compared to those rats that were not exposed to apigenin.

A synthetic hormone found in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is known to accelerate breast tumor development. When tumor cells develop in the breast in response to this hormone, they encourage new blood vessels to form within tumors. The blood vessels then supply needed nutrients for the tumors to grow and multiply. The researchers found that apigenin blocked new blood vessel formation, thereby delaying, and sometimes stopping, the development of the tumors, as well as reducing the overall number of tumors.

Apigenin is most prevalent in parsley and celery, but can also be found in apples, oranges, nuts and other plant products.

Celery

Celery is also good source of Vitamin A - the darker the green, the higher the level of Vitamin A. It also contains B-vitamins, Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Celery contains phalides, compounds that have been found to lower blood pressure and promote a healthy circulatory system.

Celery is a tradition diuretic and helps in the elimination of water such as reducing swelling of the hands or feet. The seeds are also widely used for rheumatism, arthritis and gout, as they help remove uric acid which aggravates the pain of these joint disorders.

Celery is best eaten raw and its leaves and seeds can also be eaten. Celery makes a refreshing juice that is especially useful for overall good health.

parsley

Parsley contains much of the same nutrients as celery, so they have similar health benefits.

Parsley is effective as a diuretic and digestive aid. Juiced with apple, carrot and celery, parsley makes an effective drink for relieving fluid retention. It's also delicious and nutritious added generously to all salads.

Parsley, just like celery, also helps to eliminate uric acid from the body, so it is beneficial for arthritis, rheumatism or gout.

Its high concentration of chlorophyll makes it useful as a breath freshener - chew a spring after eating onions or garlic.

Research Paper Details:

Mafuvadze B, Benakanakere I, Lopez F, et al. Apigenin prevents development of medroxyprogesterone acetate-accelerated 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats. Cancer Prevention Research, 2011.