Freshen up with parsley. You probably didn't know it, but the benefits of fresh parsley go well beyond simply adding color to a plate. This herb is actually enriched with plenty of healing properties - and who can forget the fragrant flavor it adds to foods. The two most popular types of parsley are curly parsley and Italian flat leaf parsley. Parsley is chock full of volatile oils that actually neutralize cancer-causing carcinogens found in grilled meats and cigarette smoke. There are also flavonoids in parsley that help prevent damage to cells. But the benefits don't stop there. Parsley has vitamin A and C, which brings a number of health benefits to the table. For starters, the Vitamin C staves off free radicals that contribute to colon cancer, diabetes, asthma and atherosclerosis. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which fight osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Parsley is also a source of folic acid which turns dangerous homocysteine into benign molecules. Homocysteine at high levels contributes to heart attack and stroke. Parsley is rich in iron and chlorophyll, which is thought to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Of course, parsley also kills bacteria and helps freshen breath. There are plenty of ways to add this herb to your diet. Add parsley to your sandwich, toss it into a salad or whip it up in a batch of Tabbouli. Another option is tossing a handful into soups, stews, casseroles and sauces. The bottom line - get creative and implement a little parsley here and there. Your health will thank you.
