Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsOther Health BenefitsNutrition FactsCelery and Your DietRisks
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Other Health Benefits
Nutrition Facts
Celery and Your Diet
Risks
Celery (Apium graveolens) from theApiaceaefamily is a non-starchy vegetable with many health benefits that play a role in disease prevention. These benefits include reducing inflammation and cancer risk and preventinghigh blood pressureandcholesterol levelsassociated with heart disease, as well as contributing factors totype 2 diabetes.
Celery benefits may also include supporting nerve, cognitive, and respiratory health. However, celery may not be suitable for everyone.
In this article, you will learn about the evidence-based health benefits of celery, celery nutrition facts, and the risks associated with eating celery when pregnant or allergic to it.
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Celery Benefits
The following are benefits associated with adding celery to your diet.
Inflammation and Cancer Prevention
One study suggests the most beneficial parts of celery for reducing inflammation are the leaves and seeds.The plant compounds in celery that help reduce inflammation are caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, apigenin, luteolin, tannin, saponin, and kaempferol.
Blood Pressure
Celery and celery leaf extra or juice can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels and in the treatment of high blood pressure. One review of studies suggests these heart health benefits come from the naturally occurring high nitrate content found in certain vegetables like celery.
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Hyperlipidemia
Neurogenesis
Neurogenesis refers to the growth and regrowth of nerve cell tissues. Celery is believed to promote the regrowth and protection of nerve network pathway regrowth and protection. One older study from 2009 linked flavonoids (compounds with beneficial anti-inflammatory effects) to neurocognitive regeneration.
According to the study, these flavonoids work to support healthy blood flow, nerve tissue regeneration, and reduce the risk of nerve damage leading to cognitive decline, which can affect thinking, reasoning, and remembering.
What Are Flavonoids?
Other Health Benefits of Celery
Many other notable health benefits of celery are attributed to its rich vitamin and mineral content. It’s important to note that most studies were on celery seed or leaf extract, not the celery root vegetable you find in the fresh produce aisle of the grocery store.
Celery can also help treat conditions like:
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Additionally, people use celery seeds to treat:
What Is Celery Seed?
Celery Nutrition Facts
The following are important factors to note when incorporating celery into your diet.
Raw vs. Cooked
You can eat celery leaves and celery stalks raw or cooked. Raw foods are generally considered more nutritional than cooked foods. Celery can be consumed on its own as a hydrating and energizing crunchy snack, or cooked into a dish such as a chicken stir-fry. People add celery seed to marinades, dressings, and pickling juice, and salad sandwiches such as chicken salad or egg salad.
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How Often Can You Eat It?
You can eat celery and other non-starchy vegetables every day unless your healthcare provider mentions otherwise.
Can You Eat Too Much of It?
Even the healthiest of foods should be consumed with respect to how their nutritional content will impact your digestive system. For example, celery’s high water and fiber content could mean eating excessive amounts can causegas, bloating, and digestive upset.
Aim for eating three to five servings of vegetables like celery a day.Eating even more servings of vegetables, both cooked and raw, is better.
A vegetable serving is:
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There are some risks associated with celery, including:
Symptoms of Allergic Reactions to Celery
Some people are allergic to celery. If you’re allergic to celery, you will experience a reaction when you consume it.
Allergic reactions to celery include symptoms of itchiness or serious swelling of the mouth and lips.Other symptoms may include respiratory or skin reactions from celery root, leaf, or seed. If you think you are experiencing an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical care. Consult with an allergist to determine what your allergies are.
Pregnant People
It is safe to eat celery during pregnancy. However, consuming celery seed extract or celery essential oil is not recommended. Pregnant people may need to avoid celery seed in medicinal doses or quantities and concentrations, such as those found in extracts and oils.
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Pesticides
Pesticides are harmful to health and can be found in higher concentrations in some fruits and vegetables than others.Washing celery is one way to reduce the risk of pesticide consumption. You can also look for organically grown celery, which may contain smaller amounts of pesticides.
Summary
Celery is a non-starchy vegetable with many potential health benefits. It is associated with reduced inflammation and reduced risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as contributing factors to type 2 diabetes. Celery is also associated with nerve tissue regeneration and other health benefits to the respiratory system and cognitive health.
The nutrients in celery can be obtained in raw or cooked form and from the leaves, stalk, or seeds. Some people may have an allergy to celery. Pregnant people should consult their healthcare provider and avoid celery extract or celery seed essential oil in medicinal doses. Celery may be grown with pesticides, which are harmful to human health.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kooti W, Daraei N.A review of the antioxidant activity of celery (Apium graveolens L).J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1029-1034. doi:10.1177/2156587217717415Zheng J, Zhou Y, Li S, Zhang P, Zhou T, Xu DP, Li HB.Effects and mechanisms of fruit and vegetable juices on cardiovascular diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(3):555. doi:10.3390/ijms18030555Spencer J, Vauzour D, Rendeiro C.Flavonoids and cognition: The molecular mechanisms underlying their behavioural effects.Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2009;492:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2009.10.003Knez E, Kadac-Czapska K, Dmochowska-Ślęzak K, Grembecka M.Root vegetables-composition, health effects, and contaminants.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23):15531. doi:10.3390/ijerph192315531American Diabetes Association.Non-starchy vegetables for blood glucose control.University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.Allergenic foods and their allergens, with links to Informall.Al-Asmari AK, Athar MT, Kadasah SG.An updated phytopharmacological review on medicinal plant of Arab Region: Apium graveolens Linn.Pharmacogn Rev.2017;11(21):13-18. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_35_16Environmental Working Group.Shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kooti W, Daraei N.A review of the antioxidant activity of celery (Apium graveolens L).J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1029-1034. doi:10.1177/2156587217717415Zheng J, Zhou Y, Li S, Zhang P, Zhou T, Xu DP, Li HB.Effects and mechanisms of fruit and vegetable juices on cardiovascular diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(3):555. doi:10.3390/ijms18030555Spencer J, Vauzour D, Rendeiro C.Flavonoids and cognition: The molecular mechanisms underlying their behavioural effects.Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2009;492:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2009.10.003Knez E, Kadac-Czapska K, Dmochowska-Ślęzak K, Grembecka M.Root vegetables-composition, health effects, and contaminants.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23):15531. doi:10.3390/ijerph192315531American Diabetes Association.Non-starchy vegetables for blood glucose control.University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.Allergenic foods and their allergens, with links to Informall.Al-Asmari AK, Athar MT, Kadasah SG.An updated phytopharmacological review on medicinal plant of Arab Region: Apium graveolens Linn.Pharmacogn Rev.2017;11(21):13-18. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_35_16Environmental Working Group.Shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kooti W, Daraei N.A review of the antioxidant activity of celery (Apium graveolens L).J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1029-1034. doi:10.1177/2156587217717415Zheng J, Zhou Y, Li S, Zhang P, Zhou T, Xu DP, Li HB.Effects and mechanisms of fruit and vegetable juices on cardiovascular diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(3):555. doi:10.3390/ijms18030555Spencer J, Vauzour D, Rendeiro C.Flavonoids and cognition: The molecular mechanisms underlying their behavioural effects.Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2009;492:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2009.10.003Knez E, Kadac-Czapska K, Dmochowska-Ślęzak K, Grembecka M.Root vegetables-composition, health effects, and contaminants.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23):15531. doi:10.3390/ijerph192315531American Diabetes Association.Non-starchy vegetables for blood glucose control.University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.Allergenic foods and their allergens, with links to Informall.Al-Asmari AK, Athar MT, Kadasah SG.An updated phytopharmacological review on medicinal plant of Arab Region: Apium graveolens Linn.Pharmacogn Rev.2017;11(21):13-18. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_35_16Environmental Working Group.Shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce.
Kooti W, Daraei N.A review of the antioxidant activity of celery (Apium graveolens L).J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1029-1034. doi:10.1177/2156587217717415
Zheng J, Zhou Y, Li S, Zhang P, Zhou T, Xu DP, Li HB.Effects and mechanisms of fruit and vegetable juices on cardiovascular diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(3):555. doi:10.3390/ijms18030555
Spencer J, Vauzour D, Rendeiro C.Flavonoids and cognition: The molecular mechanisms underlying their behavioural effects.Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2009;492:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2009.10.003
Knez E, Kadac-Czapska K, Dmochowska-Ślęzak K, Grembecka M.Root vegetables-composition, health effects, and contaminants.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23):15531. doi:10.3390/ijerph192315531
American Diabetes Association.Non-starchy vegetables for blood glucose control.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.Allergenic foods and their allergens, with links to Informall.
Al-Asmari AK, Athar MT, Kadasah SG.An updated phytopharmacological review on medicinal plant of Arab Region: Apium graveolens Linn.Pharmacogn Rev.2017;11(21):13-18. doi:10.4103/phrev.phrev_35_16
Environmental Working Group.Shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce.
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