Scientists looked at 10 studies involving 511 people to see if celery can help with high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol problems. They found that celery supplements significantly lowered both the top and bottom blood pressure numbers, reduced blood sugar levels, and decreased triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). The best results came from celery seeds or taking more than 1,000 mg per day. However, celery didn’t seem to help with other types of cholesterol. The researchers say celery appears safe to use, but more studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether celery supplements can help lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels in adults
  • Who participated: 511 adults across 10 different studies who took celery supplements or fake pills for comparison
  • Key finding: Celery supplements significantly lowered blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides compared to fake pills, with no serious side effects reported
  • What it means for you: Celery supplements might help manage blood pressure and blood sugar, but talk to your doctor before trying them, especially if you take medications

The Research Details

This was a meta-analysis, which means researchers gathered data from 10 separate studies that tested celery supplements against fake pills (placebos) in adults. They searched major medical databases to find all high-quality studies on this topic. Each original study was a randomized controlled trial, considered the gold standard for medical research, where participants were randomly assigned to receive either celery supplements or placebo pills without knowing which they got.

By combining results from multiple studies, researchers can get a clearer picture of whether celery really works and how strong the effects are. This approach helps overcome the limitations of individual small studies and provides more reliable evidence.

The researchers used strict criteria to select only well-designed studies and checked for potential bias. However, they noted significant differences between studies in terms of celery preparation, dosage, and duration, which makes it harder to draw firm conclusions.

What the Results Show

Celery supplements showed meaningful improvements in several key health measures. For blood pressure, both the top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic) dropped significantly compared to placebo. Blood sugar levels also decreased notably, as did triglycerides, which are fats in the blood that can contribute to heart disease risk. The effects were consistent across different studies, suggesting celery has real benefits for these conditions.

Celery didn’t appear to help with total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), or HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Interestingly, celery seeds worked better than other parts of the plant, and higher doses (over 1,000 mg daily) were more effective than lower doses. No serious side effects were reported in any of the studies.

This is the first comprehensive review combining all available studies on celery’s health effects. Previous individual studies had mixed results, but this analysis shows a clearer pattern of benefits for blood pressure and blood sugar management.

The studies varied significantly in how they prepared celery, what doses they used, and how long they lasted. The total number of participants was relatively small, and most studies were short-term. More research is needed to understand long-term effects and optimal dosing.

The Bottom Line

Celery supplements may help lower blood pressure and blood sugar, particularly celery seed preparations at doses above 1,000 mg daily. However, don’t replace prescribed medications with celery supplements without medical supervision.

Adults with high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, or high triglycerides might benefit most. People taking blood pressure or diabetes medications should consult their doctor before adding celery supplements.

The studies reviewed typically lasted a few weeks to a few months, so benefits might be seen within this timeframe, but long-term effects are unknown.

Want to Apply This Research?

Use the Gram app to:

  • Monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels weekly if you decide to try celery supplements, and log any symptoms or side effects
  • Consider adding celery to your diet naturally through fresh celery stalks, celery juice, or discussing celery supplements with your healthcare provider
  • Track blood pressure readings, fasting blood sugar levels, and overall energy levels monthly to assess any changes over time

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications.