Star Foods for Lowering Blood Pressure (Part 1): Nutrition and Recipes for Celery and Kelp

Celery contains acidic components that lower blood pressure, and clinical studies have shown its effectiveness against primary, gestational, and menopausal hypertension. Celery also contains diuretic components, which can eliminate water and sodium retention in the body, thus reducing swelling. Celery juice also has a blood sugar-lowering effect. Celery is a high-fiber food; during intestinal digestion, it produces a substance called lignin or intestinal lipids, which can inhibit the production of carcinogens by intestinal bacteria. Simultaneously, it can promote fecal excretion, reducing the contact between carcinogens and the colonic mucosa, thereby preventing colon cancer. Celery is rich in protein, beta-carotene, and various vitamins, amino acids, and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, making it highly nutritious. Regular consumption of celery may reduce sperm count in men, potentially aiding in contraception.

1. Suitable for consumption by most people.

2. Especially suitable for people with high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, high blood sugar, iron deficiency anemia, and women during menstruation.

It can be stir-fried, mixed, quick-fried, used as an ingredient, or as a filling. Recommended food pairings include beef and lily bulbs.

Celery is cool in nature and has a slippery texture, so it is not suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach or loose stools to eat too much. Eating celery regularly can reduce the number of sperm in men, so men who want to conceive should pay attention to eating it in moderation.

Stir-fried celery

Main ingredients: 200g celery, 200g tofu skin, 15g dried wood ear mushrooms

Ingredients: 25g peanut oil, 1g Sichuan peppercorns, 5g chopped green onions, 5g minced garlic, 3g minced ginger, 3g salt, 2g chicken bouillon powder

practice

1. Clean and wash the celery, then cut it into strips; cut the tofu skin into strips; soak the wood ear mushrooms in water until softened, then cut them into strips.

2. Place a wok on the stove, pour in peanut oil and heat it, then sprinkle in Sichuan peppercorns and stir-fry until fragrant before removing from the wok.

3. Add chopped green onions, minced garlic, and minced ginger to the pot. Once fragrant, add shredded celery and stir-fry quickly.

4. When the tofu and wood ear mushrooms are half-cooked, add them to the pan and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and chicken bouillon, stir-fry a few more times, and it's ready to serve.

The review describes the texture as a perfect balance of crisp and soft.

It is suggested that celery leaves contain more beta-carotene and vitamin C than the stalks, so don't throw away the edible tender leaves when eating them.

Celery and eel strips

Main ingredients: 200g celery, 200g eel, 1 red bell pepper

Ingredients: 100g peanut oil, 1 egg white, 6g salt, 15g cornstarch, 10g minced garlic, 15g shredded scallions, 10g shredded ginger, 2g chicken bouillon powder, 15g cooking wine, 5g sesame oil

practice

1. Clean the eel, remove the head, tail and bones, cut into thin strips, and marinate the eel strips with egg white, salt (3g) and cornstarch (10g).

2. Remove the tough stalks and leaves from the celery, wash it, and then cut it into strips; cut the red bell pepper into strips.

3. Heat a wok, add peanut oil and heat to 50% hot. Add the eel shreds, stir-fry until cooked through, then remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Leave some oil in the wok, add ginger shreds, minced garlic, celery shreds and red bell pepper and stir-fry briefly. Add salt (3g), chicken bouillon, appropriate amount of water and scallion shreds. Thicken with cornstarch slurry (5g), then add the cooked eel shreds, cooking wine, sesame oil, stir-fry a few times, and transfer to a plate to serve.

The product is described as smooth, tender, and fragrant, with an extremely delicious flavor.

Replacing the eel shreds with beef shreds would also be a good option.

kelp

Other names: kelp, sea kelp, seaweed, seaweed

The alginic acid in kelp has a blood pressure-lowering effect. Kelp also contains a large amount of mannitol, which has a diuretic and swelling-reducing effect and can prevent and treat diseases such as kidney failure and edema. Kelp contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, which can remove cholesterol attached to blood vessel walls. The dietary fiber alginic acid in kelp can regulate the stomach and intestines and promote cholesterol excretion. The abundant calcium in kelp can reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol. Kelp contains a large amount of iodine, making it an ideal food for people with hypothyroidism.

1. It can be consumed by most people.

2. Suitable for people with iodine deficiency, as well as those with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and osteoporosis.

It can be used in cold dishes or soups.

Winter melon and mung beans.

1. This food is contraindicated for patients with iodine-excess hyperthyroidism.

2. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should not consume excessive amounts of kelp.

Braised Pork Ribs with Kelp

Main ingredients: 200g pork ribs, 30g fresh kelp

Ingredients: 30g oil, 5g white sugar, 3g soy sauce, 5g cooking wine, 3g sliced ​​garlic, 3g shredded ginger, 3g salt

practice

1. Wash the ribs, chop them into pieces, and marinate them with white sugar, soy sauce and cooking wine for 30 minutes.

2. Wash the kelp with warm water and cut it into wide strips.

3. Heat oil in a pot, add ginger slices and garlic slices and sauté until fragrant. Then add the ribs and stir-fry until they change color. Add kelp, salt and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer until cooked through and the sauce is reduced.

The flavor is fresh, delicious, and tasty.

It is recommended to cook kelp for about 15 minutes; do not cook it for too long.