They say blood stays clean... but if you don't cook this herb properly, could it even increase the risk of cancer?

Water celery is very popular because of its unique tangy aroma. It also has excellent health benefits. Rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, it helps purify the blood. It also has high levels of proteins, iron, and calcium, which are the main components of the body. According to the Dongui Bogam, water celery relieves thirst, clears the mind, and is effective in alleviating headaches after drinking alcohol. However, there are precautions to take when eating water celery. When consuming water celery grown in freshwater, it must be cooked thoroughly. Otherwise, the risk of cancer may increase.

The cancer that becomes more likely when water celery grown in freshwater is eaten raw (uncooked) is bile duct cancer. The bile duct is a tube that transports bile produced in the liver to the gallbladder and duodenum. Cancer that occurs here is bile duct cancer. Bile duct cancer ranks 8th among all cancers in the country, which is not insignificant. Since the 5-year survival rate is only about 30%, the prognosis is poor, so early detection and treatment are crucial.

The main symptom of bile duct cancer is jaundice. As the cancer progresses, the bile duct gradually thickens and narrows. This causes bile to be unable to be expelled, leading to jaundice. Before jaundice appears, there are few symptoms, making early detection difficult. Other symptoms may include indigestion, nausea, and unexplained weight loss.

The most clearly identified cause of cholangiocarcinoma is liver fluke (Clonorchis sinensis). The World Health Organization (WHO) also recognizes liver fluke as the leading cause of cholangiocarcinoma. Liver flukes are abundant in freshwater; when ingested through freshwater fish, they enter the body and travel to the bile ducts, where they live for a long time without dying, causing inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to cancer. In countries like Korea, Thailand, and China, where eating freshwater fish is part of the culture, the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is higher. In Korea, there are statistics indicating that cholangiocarcinoma was more common in the Nakdong River basin, where freshwater fish consumption was high in the past. Additionally, patients with inflammatory bowel disease or hepatitis C also have a higher risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma.

To prevent bile duct cancer, it is important to prevent the main risk factor, liver fluke infection. Avoid eating raw freshwater fish. Water parsley grown in freshwater may be contaminated with liver flukes, so it should be thoroughly cooked before eating.