Yow Hui Yin,
Phd, BPharm (Hons), RPh
Did you know that there are multiple health benefits in just one stalk of celery? Celery, also known as Apium graveolens, is a vegetable from Apiaceae family. Although it is more well-recognized for being low in calories and as a popular diet food, celery actually has incredible health benefits.
It is a myth that celery provides ‘negative calories’. Based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), two medium stalks of celery contain about 15 calories. However, it also contains lots of fiber that helps to control cravings by absorbing water in digestive system, giving the feeling of fullness. Therefore by adding more celery to your diet, you actually eat less and this can contribute to weight loss.
Some scientific studies have shown that celery may reduce inflammation. This may be attributed to its antioxidant properties. Hence, it is used to support the relief of joint pain in conditions such as arthritis and gout. In addition, its seeds are a natural diuretic. It can therefore increase the elimination of uric acid from the kidneys and may help to relieve the symptoms of mild gout.
Animal studies have shown the promising effects of celery in lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Similarly, some recent studies have shown the protective effect of celery against cancer cells due to its antioxidant properties. However, there are limited studies with human subjects that have investigated the relationship between celery and these benefits. It should therefore be noted that these studies are not conclusive, and that more scientific evidence is required to support its effectiveness of celery for these claims.
Celery seeds are dried or extracted into oils and formulated as a dietary supplement. Generally, celery supplements are safe to be consumed. However, the consumption of celery in very large amounts can cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhoea. Celery supplements are not recommended for use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. This is because large amounts of celery may cause miscarriage, and there is a lack of safety information for breastfeeding mothers. Additionally, celery supplements may potentially interact with certain medications such as thyroid medications, sedative medications and medications that increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Kindly consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any celery supplement.
References:
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- Tsi D, Das NP, Tan BK. Effects of aqueous celery (Apium graveolens) extract on lipid parameters of rats fed a high fat diet. Planta Med. 1995;61:18-21.
- Moghadam MH, Imenshahidi M, Mohajeri SA. Antihypertensive effect of celery seed on rat blood pressure in chronic administration. J Med Food. 2013;16(6):558-63.
- Cheung MC, Lin LY, Yu TH, Peng RY. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of mountian celery seed essential oils. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(11):3997-4003.
- Sultana S, Ahmed S, Jahangir T, Sharma S. Inhibitory effect of celery seeds extract on chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis: modulation of cell proliferation, metabolism and altered hepatic foci development. Cancer Lett. 2005;221(1):11-20.
- Zheng GQ, Kenney PM, Zhang J, Lam LK. Chemoprevention of benzo[a]pyrene-induced forestomach cancer in mice by natural phthalides from celery seed oil. Nutr Cancer. 1993;19:77-86.