Why Celery Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

Celery can certainly offer many positive health benefits, such as cancer prevention, weight loss and lowered blood pressure.  However, celery is also one of many foods that contain natural toxins called psoralens.  Many other common grocery store vegetables can also contain this chemical, which is also found in carrots, turnips and parsnips. 

 

Psoralens are carcinogenic chemicals, which show up in plants as a natural defense against pests and infections.  Because they are a naturally occurring chemical, they are often found in celery that has previously been under attack by insects, making it important to know the signs of its presence. 

 

In order to enjoy the health benefits of celery, you should carefully select celery that is toxin free.  Celery that has brown spots is generally considered to be tainted with a higher concentration of this toxin.  When selecting celery, it’s best to avoid any with spots in order to ensure the celery is safe for consumption.  Even handling celery that has been in contact with the natural chemical can be unsafe, causing skin infections in many produce workers at farmers markets and farms.

 

Psoralens, while they can be dangerous in certain cases, have also proven to be beneficial in treating certain conditions.  Because plants produce them to ward off infections or pests, the chemicals can be extracted and used to treat certain skin infections in humans.  Celery containing the chemical may be harmful to ingest, but psoralens are now being used to treat psoriasis, vitiligo and other skin conditions. 

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