Celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum) is a variety of celery cultivated for its edible roots and shoots. The plant is cultivated throughout the world such as the Mediterranean Basin, Northern Europe, North Africa, Siberia, Southwest Asia, and North America. It is edible raw or cooked and tastes similar to the stalks of the common celery.

Here are the 7 health benefits of celeriac.

1.     Celeriac is low in calories.

Celeriac is very low in calories. 100 grams of the root hold just 42 calories. This low-calorie nutritionally dense food is perfect for weight loss.

2.     Celeriac can help improve bone strength.

One cup of celeriac (156 grams) contains 64 micrograms of vitamin K or 80 percent of the daily recommended needs. Sufficient vitamin K consumption acts as a modifier of bone matrix proteins, improves calcium absorption, preventing bone loss and osteoporosis.

3.     Celeriac can help improve brain function.

Vitamin K is essential for the production of sphingolipids, the myelin sheath around nerves. Myelin sheaths are vital for the proper conduction of nerve cells. Research studies suggest that it also has established a role in Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the brain.

4.     Celeriac contains many antioxidants.

Members of Apiaceae family vegetables like celeriac contains many antioxidants such as falcarinol, falcarindiol, panaxadiol, and methyl-falcarindiol. Antioxidants find and eliminate cell-damaging free radicals that can turn healthy cells into cancer cells.

5.     Celeriac can help maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Celeriac has a very high content of potassium and a low content of sodium, which may help reduce the risk for hypertension. One cup of celeriac contains 468 milligrams of potassium, compared to 156 milligrams of sodium.

6.     Celeriac is a good source of manganese.

Manganese is an essential metal for human health, being necessary for development, metabolism, and the antioxidant system. One cup of celeriac contains 12 percent of the daily recommended values of manganese.

7.     Celeriac could help fight cancer with treatment.

Celeriac is an excellent source of Vitamin C. One cup of celeriac can give 21 percent of the daily requirement of Vitamin C. This acts as an antioxidant to remove toxins from the body and detoxifies it. Vitamin C can destroy free radicals that turn healthy cells into cancerous cells.