Definition:

Celery belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, parsnips, parsley and celeriac. Its crunchy stems make this vegetable a popular low-calorie snack and may offer many health benefits.

health benefits:

• reduce blood pressure

Some herbalists use celery and its extract to lower blood pressure.

One study examined the effects of celery seed extract on blood pressure in normotensive and/or artificially induced hypertensive rats.

The authors concluded that the extract lowered blood pressure and increased heart rate in hypertensive rats, but not in normotensive rats.

It is also a good source of fiber, and a 2016 Cochrane review found that people with high fiber intake may have lower blood pressure than those on low-fiber diets.

• Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia refers to an increase in fat molecules in the blood. Although it is often asymptomatic, it increases the long-term risk of heart disease and stroke.

A 2014 rodent study found that celery extract reduced levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, in rats fed with a high-fat diet.

A 2016 Cochrane review found that people with a high-fiber diet appeared to have lower total and LDL cholesterol levels than those with a low fiber intake.

• Neurogenesis

Apigenin can also stimulate neurogenesis, the growth and development of nerve cells.

In a 2009 study, researchers gave rats apigenin. They found that it stimulated the formation of nerve cells and improved learning and memory.

• other benefits

Some researchers suggest that celery extract may also help prevent:

• liver disease and jaundice
• urinary tract obstruction
• gout
• rheumatic disorders