When I try a new recipe and it states “garnish with parsley” I usually ignore it. Does that little bit of green really affect the taste or add all that much nutrition? I thought it was just a way to make your dish look fancy. Parsley is actually a great way to add some nutrients without adding extra sodium in your dish. One tablespoon of parsley contains only one calorie! It has 2 mg sodium and 21 mg of potassium. It also has 6% vitamin A and 8% vitamin C.
Parsley contains a flavonol called myricetin—which is also in grapes, berries, fruits, and vegetables. This flavonol has been studied for its effects on diabetes. In-vitro and animal studies have shown myricetin to have a hypoglycemic effect. It may lower blood sugars and decrease insulin resistance. Parsley has high levels of vitamin K which may increase bone health by decreasing urinary excretion of calcium and increasing the calcium absorbed in the body.
Parsley is an easy garnish you could add to any meal. Sprinkle it in your spaghetti or add it to your favorite smoothie for some added nutrition. Adding fresh foods to your diet and decreasing the amount of processed foods are beneficial to your health and parsley is one easy addition to begin with!
