Many people claim that celery juice can treat a range of ailments, including inflammation, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Celery juice is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. However, it contains less fiber than raw celery. There is insufficient evidence to suggest drinking celery juice aids weight loss or helps remove toxins from the body.
Celery is a member of the carrot family. The plant and its seeds provide an abundant source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For this reason, many people drink celery juice for health benefits.
In this article, we look at what the science says about celery juice and what people need to know before they drink it.
Celery juice overview
Celery is a fibrous green vegetable that is rich in vitamins, minerals and has high water content. Many people blend celery into a juice to either drink on its own or in other mixed blends.
One 8 ounce (oz) cupTrusted Source of celery juice contains:
- 33 calories
- 7 grams (g) of carbohydrates
- 94.4 milligrams (mg) of calcium
- 25.9 mg of magnesium
- 613.6 mg of potassium
- 84.8 µg (micrograms) of folate
Nutritional value
Raw celeryTrusted Source is rich in many vitamins and minerals, including:
- vitamin K
- vitamin A
- vitamin B2
- vitamin B6
- vitamin C
- folate
- potassium
- manganese
- pantothenic acid
In addition, the celery plant and its seeds both contain chemicals that nutritionists call phytonutrients. These chemicals have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Health benefits of celery
Few studies have investigated whether drinking celery juice improves people’s health. Instead, most research has examined the health benefits that experts associate with consuming specific nutrients that celery and its seeds contain.
Notably, celery contains two beneficial antioxidants — apigenin and luteolin.
Research shows that apigenin and luteolin reduce inflammation and may help treat various inflammatory diseases.
Inflammation and allergies
Allergic asthma and rhinitis are inflammatory diseases affecting the upper and lower airway.
A 2017 studyTrusted Source investigated whether luteolin could reduce inflammation and lower allergic responses in mice with these conditions.
Results showed that giving the mice luteolin 30 minutes before exposing them to an allergen significantly reduced the levels of inflammation within their lungs and nasal passages.
However, scientists still need to do further studies to confirm whether luteolin has similar anti-allergy effects in humans.
Arthritis
A 2015 studyTrusted Source investigated whether apigenin could suppress arthritis in mice. Following apigenin treatment, the animals showed less tissue inflammation and delayed onset and severity of arthritis compared to mice that did not receive treatment.
The researchers concluded that apigenin works by suppressing the immune system. It does this by interrupting cells’ transportation and signaling capabilities that trigger inflammation.
Neurodegenerative diseases
Luteolin and apigenin may also offer protection against certain brain diseases.
An older 2013 study investigated whether luteolin could reduce inflammation and protect against neurodegeneration in rodents with diabetic encephalopathy (DE). DE refers to brain abnormalities and impaired cognitive function that may affect people with type 2 diabetes.
In the study, rats that the investigators continuously treated with luteolin had reduced brain cell damage and improved learning and memory.
A separate 2015 reviewTrusted Source looked at the effect of different plant chemicals on rodents with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that apigenin limits damage to various brain processes, thereby potentially delaying and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Cancer
According to a 2015 reviewTrusted Source, luteolin can halt the growth of some types of cancer cells in rodents.
Luteolin may also prevent cancer cells from invading other areas of the body, or ‘metastasizing.’ Scientists think that it may do this by preventing new blood vessels from growing around existing tumors.
Furthermore, animal studies suggest that luteolin could enhance the potency of chemotherapy drugs that act on cancer cells while reducing the toxic effects of these drugs on the body.
High cholesterol
A limited 2015 studyTrusted Source investigated the effects of celery leaf extract on the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of rats with induced hypertension. Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure.
After seven weeks of study, the celery leaf extract group showed lower cholesterol levels.
Researchers suggested that the antioxidants in celery may be responsible for lowering cholesterol levels by preventing cholesterol stores from breaking down and entering the blood.
High blood pressure
Limited research shows that celery juice may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
A small 2019 study in one region of Java found that administration of celery juice reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with systolic hypertension.
Other researchers have found similar cases of celery juice reducing blood pressure, but no large-scale controlled trials have assessed its efficacy in this field.
Cardiovascular health
The term cardiovascular remodeling (CR) refers to changes in the shape, size, structure, and function of the heart, usually resulting from chronic high blood pressure or heart disease.
Over time, however, CR reduces the efficiency of the heart muscle and increases the risk of heart failure. Chemicals called free radicals can contribute to this process.
A 2015 animal studyTrusted Source that gave rats luteolin found that they showed less CR than those that did not receive the supplement. Scientists think this may be because luteolin’s antioxidant properties disable free radicals and limit heart damage.
Fertility
There is little research into the direct impact of celery consumption on fertility. However, the antioxidant content of celery may help to improve male fertility markers.
Research shows that a diet high in antioxidants can have a positive impactTrusted Source on sperm count and motility, both of which are important for male fertility.
A 2016 reviewTrusted Source investigated the effects of celery on fertility in animals. Of the 16 papers the study reviewed, 13 reported that celery has a protective effect on fertility, while the remaining three found that celery reduces fertility.
Celery juice misconceptions
Celery juice has become a popular drink for many health and wellness advocates. With this popularity have come many claims of unusual health benefits.
However, most of these are anecdotal and have no sound scientific basis. Below are some popular misconceptions about celery juice.
‘Celery juice removes toxins from the body’
Some people claim that juice cleanses can help people lose weight, remove toxins from the body, and treat medical conditions.
However, there is no evidenceTrusted Source to support claims that juicing or juice cleanses can detoxify the liver or heal chronic illnesses.
The body naturally removes toxins through the liver, kidneys, and other systems. The best way for a person to support these natural processes is to eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients and stay well hydrated.
Learn more about juice cleanses here.
‘It is best to drink celery juice on an empty stomach’
Some people claim that drinking celery juice on an empty stomach can enhance its positive effects. However, there is insufficient evidence to back up these claims.
Safety and side effects
Celery and celery juice can have some side effects, and they may not be suitable for everyone.
Toxicity
Celery contains the chemical psoralen, which reacts to sunlight. In rare cases, consuming high amounts of celery and other foods high in psoralen may increaseTrusted Source the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light, increasing the risk of dermatitis, sun damage, and photoaging.
For people particularly sensitive to psoralen, simply touching psoralen-rich foods can cause skin irritation.
A food allergen
Some people may have an allergy to celery, which can cause a range of symptoms, including skin reactions, digestive upset, and respiratory problems.
In rare cases, a person with a celery allergy may experience the potentially deadly allergic reaction anaphylaxis.
Anyone who experiences any of the following symptoms of anaphylaxis should seek urgent medical treatment:
- difficulty breathing
- hives or swelling
- tightness within the throat
- hoarseness
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- rapid heartbeat
- low blood pressure
- dizziness or fainting
- cardiac arrest
Salt content
Celery contains about 32 mg of sodiumTrusted Source per 1 medium (40 g) stalk.
People must be mindful of how much sodium they consume, as a high-sodium diet may increase blood pressure and cause fluid retention, both of which can contribute to more severe health issues.
Eating celery each day should not cause problems for most people.
Summary
Few studies have investigated the health effects of celery juice. However, celery does contain many essential nutrients that scientists believe are beneficial for people’s health.
Most research has concentrated on investigating the effects of some of the nutrients and antioxidants that the plant and its seeds contain. Scientists believe that these chemicals are beneficial in treating several health conditions.
People who are allergic or sensitive to celery should avoid eating this plant. Those trying to reduce their sodium consumption should be mindful of total intake for the day from all foods, including celery. However, eating celery should not cause problems for most people.
