This Disease-Fighting Green Is More Than Just Garnish #poetry

From kale to lettuce to sprouts to parsley, green salads with
toss-ups of fruit and nuts have been a regular part of my summers.
Rich in carotenoids, leafy greens come loaded with immeasurable
health benefits that our bodies convert into vitamin-A, which helps
to protect our skin from harmful UV rays and aids in mending and
strengthening our skin's defenses against the sun.

Mixing salads with anything is delicious. But as I mentioned, I
like mixing mine with fruit: oranges, grapes, kiwi are common
delicious choices, as are berries.

Yes, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, my faves as these
are known to increase blood flow, regenerate skin, and decrease
sensitivity to light-- critical during the sweltering heat of summer.

Yum. Nature’s pharmacy is indeed our best source for well-being.

But today I wish to tell you about a green delight that most us us
think of as just garnish: Parsley

“Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme” ~ Scarborough Fair, Simon and Garfunkel words.

The best bowl of vegetables. — Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

First a Tanka:

*
Shun me no more, please
I protect eyes, skin, and bones
Let's get intimate
You and I, remember I'm
Not just for decoration

Next, a stutterer’s acrostic poem. (I’m the stutterer):

*
Powerful disease-fighting plant
Provides antioxidant benefits you want
Protects against chronic diseases-- such gallant enchant!
A-Vitamin, plus C and K in similar measures
Rich in nutritional value that's no palling pleasure
Surely you've seen parsley around-- this eating treasure
Leaves are French-curly or Italian-flat-- but are you aware of its mission?
Lowers your risk of colon cancer, diabetes, 'n heart disease
Lutein in parsley helps protect your eyes and promote healthy vision
Everyone should partake of this green doily, mostly those with eye un-ease
You thought parsley was just for decoration? Ha! Eat at your leisure.
***
© 2021 selmamartin.com

Why is parsley so healthy?

Here’s what Medical News Today provides as an answer.

“The usefulness of dietary phytochemicals in the prevention of this disease
is supported by a plethora of experimental and epidemiological studies.
Apigenin, a well-known flavone, is found in several dietary plant foods
such as parsley, celery, thyme, celeriac, chamomile, onions, lemon balm,
and oranges.” ~ Apigenin and Breast Cancers; pubmed ncbi

***

Main photo: Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
Second Photo: Parsley — Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

THANKS FOR READING,
Happy summer. I Wish You Miracles.

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Selma Martin

I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

paeansunplugged July 29, 2021 Reply

This was surely a very entertaining /informative verse!
Selma Martin July 29, 2021 Reply

And I’m grateful you read/commented and that you found this both entertaining and informative.
Happy summer.