Can celery truly lower your blood pressure? Exploring the science behind the claims

Hypertension is a significant global health issue, contributing to various cardiovascular diseases and posing a major health risk. Conventional antihypertensive medications, while effective, often come with adverse side effects, leading to decreased patient adherence. This has driven interest in alternative treatments, such as the use of celery (Apium graveolens), which has been traditionally recognized for its health benefits.
Recent studies have revealed that celery contains bioactive compounds, notably 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) and apigenin, which contribute to its antihypertensive properties. These compounds act through various mechanisms, including vasodilation, diuretic effects, and calcium channel blocking, which collectively help in reducing blood pressure. Celery's ability to lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) has been demonstrated in both animal and human studies. For instance, research has shown that ethanolic extracts of celery seeds can significantly decrease SBP by about 38 mmHg in hypertensive rats. Human trials have corroborated these findings, showing reductions in SBP and DBP with the administration of celery extracts. One study highlighted a reduction in SBP by 11 mmHg and in DBP by 8 mmHg following celery seed extract treatment.
However, the efficacy of celery as an antihypertensive agent can vary depending on factors such as dosage, duration of administration, and the specific part of the plant used. Moreover, while current studies provide promising results, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and safety of celery supplementation in hypertensive patients.