5 Surprising Celery Health Benefits
1. It may help fight cancer
Celery is rich in antioxidants, which help remove cancer-promoting free radicals from your cells. In fact, celery extract has been studied for two potential anticancer compounds: apigenin, and luteolin. Apigenin destroys free radicals in the body and can promote cancer cell death. It also appears to promote autophagy, a process in which your body removes dysfunctional cells or components, helping to prevent disease.
Research also suggests that luteolin, a plant flavonoid in celery, could be responsible for its potential anticancer effects. In one study, researchers found that luteolin supplementation dropped mice tumor rates by almost half. And it slowed the progression of the remaining tumors. And if that’s not enough, studies from China are reported
2. It may reduce inflammation associated with chronic disease
Celery seed extracts have been long used and studied for their anti-inflammatory properties on the body. Various preparations of celery and its seed extract have been used to treat inflammation throughout history. Some research suggests that celery seed extract is as effective as drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen in treating arthritis symptoms. It may also have a pain-reducing effect. And it may be protective against stomach damage that can occur from taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Additionally, a 2008 study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois found that the luteolin in celery can significantly reduce brain inflammation. And it may have the potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.
3. It may reduce your risk of heart disease
Eating this crunchy veggie may be protective of your heart by improving common heart disease biomarkers. A 2009 study in rats found that, when given celery extract for 60 days, rats experienced a significant reduction in their blood lipids, including total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides. Celery may also be able to lower your blood pressure, even though it’s fairly high in sodium — a fascinating paradox. A mixture of celery juice and honey has been used in China for this purpose for a long time with success. In South Africa, celery juice mixed with vinegar is given to pregnant women to help them lower high blood pressure.
4. It may support male fertility
A 2017 review of 16 studies on celery and fertility found that celery can have a protective effect against substances that can damage sperm count. Similarly, a 2015 study on the effects of celery on fertility in rats found that 30 days of celery leaf extract could potentially improve sperm count. This may be because it appears to have inhibitive effects against free radicals, which can adversely impact fertility. However, it hasn’t been determined how much celery you would need to eat or drink to see these benefits.
5. It may support gut and digestive health
Celery is full of insoluble fiber, which can increase satiety and aid in weight loss and can also help promote regularity. In other words, it can prevent and treat constipation and help clean out your intestines. In a 2010 study, researchers looked at the impact of celery extract on the treatment of stomach ulcers. And they examined the overall protective benefits of it on the gastrointestinal system of rats. Rats who were pretreated with celery extract before they developed stomach ulcers experienced much less gastric damage than those not pretreated. The researchers suggest this is likely due to the antioxidant properties of celery, a conclusion that is echoed in other studies on celery and health.