Celery is more than just a beautiful green vegetable that's perfectly shaped to hold cheese and peanut butter. Instead, it is a nutrient-dense produce that you should definitely include as part of your weekly meal plan.Forbes Health1 We mentioned three benefits of celery juice, but there are many more benefits, especially when it contains celery seeds.
Celery (Apiumgraveolens) is part of the parsley family (Umbelliferae) and is usually added in small amounts to soups and stews, or in vegetable trays and salads. Wild celery is native to the Mediterranean.2 And while today we use it as food, the peoples of ancient Egypt, Rome, and China probably used it medicinally, weaving its leaves into the crowns of victory of athletes.
Celery is thought to have made its culinary breakthrough in France and Italy in the 1600s, when it was used to extend family meals, and it made its way to the United States in the 1800s, where Dutch immigrants first grew celery in Michigan. Conceivable. Most people either like it, accept it or leave it alone, but the flavor isn't strong enough to create true detractors.
Celery juice may affect blood pressure and gut health
Celery has long been considered a „diet“ food, containing about 12 calories for every two medium-sized stalks.3 Although celery is high in fiber and low in sugar, there are several other health benefits to eating celery and drinking its juice. Celery is rich in antioxidants, phytosterols, flavones, and flavanols, including:Four
calcium |
Rin |
potassium |
vitamin C |
folate |
beta carotene |
vitamin A |
lutein and zeaxanthin |
vitamin K |
In 2019, the celery juice movement was growing, gaining a large audience on Instagram thanks to Anthony Williams, a self-proclaimed „medical medium“ and founder of the „World Celery Juice Movement.“
2019, The GuardianFive Verified Market Reports reported a 454% increase in U.S. sales.6 With 2020 sales of just under $5 million, future market insights7 According to reports, the market size in 2023 was $14.6 million and is expected to grow to $27 million by 2033.
Although the origins of the celery movement are somewhat obscure, celery does have some health benefits and some precautions. Let's start with the benefits. Consuming celery in juice form may or may not provide digestive and intestinal health benefits, depending on whether the pulp is removed. Celery fiber is a good source of nutrients for the beneficial bacteria in your intestines and helps regulate bowel movements.
If you make celery juice at home, consider leaving some fiber in the juice to help with regularity and support your gut microbiome.8 Another health benefit of celery juice is reducing high blood pressure, which affects 48.1% of all adults in the United States.9 One nutritional component of celery that may affect blood pressure is phthalides. Phthalides are phytochemicals known to relax artery walls and improve blood flow.Ten
Two papers with case studies report the blood pressure-lowering effects of celery11 About a 74-year-old man who did not respond well to antihypertensive medications, but whose blood pressure dropped from 150/80 to 118/82 after drinking celery juice for 6 months and receiving chiropractic care for neck pain. Research.
2nd paper of 202012 The study included 24 participants, and after measuring the data, the authors concluded that „celery juice has a significant effect on lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients…“
Apigenin: a flavonoid that strengthens nerve and artery health
Apigenin is a flavone, a type of biologically active flavonoid. Parsley has the highest amount of apigenin, containing 215.5 mg per 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces).13 The next highest content vegetable is celery heart, with 19.1 mg per 100 grams of celery. 2019 Papers14 investigated the potential of flavonoids, including apigenin, and reported important findings in laboratory, animal, and human studies.
The research team has a number of studies showing that apigenin has several interesting pharmacological and nutraceutical activities, including antioxidant properties and low intrinsic toxicity compared to other structurally similar flavonoids. I noticed that there is research.15 Interest in apigenin has grown over the years, as has research into its potential benefits for the human body.
Apigenin has demonstrated antidiabetic properties that are attributed to inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, increased insulin secretion, and ability to neutralize intracellular reactive oxygen species. Apigenin can also provide adequate amounts of nitric oxide to endothelial cells, which researchers believe may reduce arterial and venous dysfunction caused by hyperglycemia and limit the risk of endothelial cell damage.16
Animal studies have demonstrated cardioprotective effects in diabetic cardiomyopathy-induced mice, protecting against myocardial damage in rats by reducing myonecrosis, cell death, and oxidative stress. Data suggest that its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, neuroprotective, and cognitive-enhancing effects have interesting potential in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.17
The authors reported several animal studies showing that apigenin improves spatial learning and memory and is neurovascularly protective in animal models of β-amyloid peptide-induced amnesia.
Another reason why apigenin is important for health is because it strengthens neurons in the brain.a study18 When this was applied to human stem cells in a Petri dish, they demonstrated that the stem cells transformed into neurons after 25 days. The researchers found that the synapses connecting neurons were „stronger and more sophisticated,“ something that would not have happened without apigenin. When the neuron overview is enhanced, several aspects of brain function are enhanced.
Researchers noted that flavones bind to estrogen receptors, which influence nervous system development, function, and plasticity. Until now, estrogen-based treatments have been limited by high risks of tumors and cardiovascular disease, but researchers have found that apigenin could be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. I thought it might be an alternative method.
„We have shown a new avenue for new research with this material,“ said lead author Stevens Lehen. „Furthermore, flavonoids are found in high amounts in some foods, leading us to speculate that a diet rich in flavonoids may influence the formation of neurons and the way they communicate in the brain.“19
Seeds and stems are a rich source of phytonutrients
Researchers are interested in apigenin for its potential anti-cancer properties as an adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent, in addition to its effects on nerves and arteries.20 Also in cancer prevention by inducing apoptosis and autophagy.twenty one Specifically, preclinical findingstwenty two A paper published in 2012 suggested potential in the treatment of progestin-dependent breast diseases.
the studytwenty three We have also found that apigenin inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in the lab, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer, which has a 12% five-year relative survival rate in the United States. There is a possibility that there are.twenty four High intakes of flavonoids, such as apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, are associated with the prevention of cancer, especially lung cancer.twenty five
Luteolin, another compound found in celery, is also associated with chemoprotective properties. „Luteolin's anticancer properties are associated with the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis,“ the researchers wrote.26 It also makes cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and inhibits cell survival.
Celery has been used as a natural remedy for several types of acute and chronic conditions. Many biological and chemical properties have different activities. 2015 paper27 reported that a fully standardized formulation called celery seed extract, made from a plant from north India, is at least as effective as the common anti-inflammatory drugs aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen in controlling arthritis. .
The extract also reduced existing inflammation in animal models and protected the stomach lining from irritation typically caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Unlike other dietary supplements, available data suggest that celery seed extract is unlikely to alter the metabolism of prescription drugs, and therefore its use in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. may be a natural option.
Be careful when adding celery juice to your diet
Celery is a surprisingly refreshing and crunchy snack. Although it may be difficult to consume too much whole vegetables in your diet because they are high in fiber, you can drink enough celery juice to cause a health concern or two. maybe. Celery has been named to the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen, a list of the top 12 fruits and vegetables most contaminated with pesticides.
In 2013, celery was No. 2 on the Dirty Dozen list.28 In 2023, it fell to 15th place,29 I continue to insist on buying organically grown celery. This is especially important if you're juicing the light green stalks, because you'll be chugging more celery than you would normally eat, increasing your exposure to toxins. Another thing to keep in mind is that when cooking, the technique you use will affect the nutritional content.
Boiling or blanching celery loses more antioxidants than steaming it for 10 minutes.30 As demonstrated in a 2019 case report, continuous consumption of celery seed, juice, or extract can increase thyroid hormone secretion and cause hyperthyroidism.31 In 2018, SFGate also noted that:32
„Substances called goitrogens, which block the uptake of iodine into the thyroid gland, can cause goiter or thyroid enlargement. Eating large amounts of celery, especially if it is uncooked, can act as goitrogens. It may work.”
Celery also contains compounds called psoralen, which increase sensitivity to ultraviolet light when it comes in contact with the skin.33 Areas of skin contact with celery juice develop a rash within 12 to 36 hours of sun exposure and last for 3 to 5 days, although pigmentation may persist for several months.
Celery seeds can induce uterine contractions and should be avoided by pregnant women. Also, people with advanced kidney inflammation should avoid celery seeds.34 Finally, it's important to remember that no particular food is a magic bullet. Instead, it is important to consume a varied and balanced diet of raw, organic food groups to achieve optimal health.