Parsley

Parsley is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean. The two most common types are French curly-leaf and Italian flat-leaf.

Over the years, parsley has been used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, allergies, and inflammatory diseases.

Today, it’s widely used as a fresh culinary herb or dried spice. It’s bright green in color and has a mild, bitter flavor that pairs well with many recipes.

Often labeled as one of the most powerful disease-fighting plants, parsley provides great nutritional value and offers many potential health benefits.

Parsley offers many more nutrients than people suspect.

A 1/2 cup (30 grams) of fresh, chopped parsley provides (3Trusted Source):

Calories: 11 calories
Carbs: 2 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Fat: less than 1 gram
Fiber: 1 gram
Vitamin A: 108% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
Vitamin C: 53% of the RDI
Vitamin K: 547% of the RDI
Folate: 11% of the RDI
Potassium: 4% of the RDI

Parsley contains many powerful antioxidants that can benefit your health.

Antioxidants are compounds that prevent cellular damage from molecules called free radicals. Your body requires a healthy balance of antioxidants and free radicals to maintain optimal health.

The main antioxidants in parsley:

flavonoids
carotenoids
vitamin C

The fragrant herb is particularly rich in a class of antioxidants known as flavonoids. The two main flavonoids include myricetin and apigenin.

Studies show that diets rich in flavonoids may lower your risk of conditions, including colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Furthermore, beta carotene and lutein are two antioxidants known as carotenoids. Many studies associate higher intake of carotenoids with a reduced risk of certain diseases, including lung cancer.

Vitamin C also has strong antioxidant effects and plays an important role in supporting immune health and protecting against chronic disease

Interestingly, dried parsley may be higher in antioxidants than fresh sprigs. In fact, one study found that the dried herb had 17 times more antioxidant content than its fresh counterpart.

Vitamin K helps build stronger bones by supporting bone-building cells called osteoblasts. This vitamin also activates certain proteins that increase bone mineral density — a measure of the amount of minerals present in your bones

Lutein, beta carotene, and zeaxanthin are three carotenoids in parsley that help protect your eyes and promote healthy vision. Carotenoids are pigments found in plants that have powerful antioxidant activity

Parsley is rich in folate, a B vitamin that protects your heart and may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Interestingly, the herb may act as a natural breath freshener, so you can also chew on a sprig while cooking to freshen up your breath.