Celery is a familiar vegetable in daily meals and is considered beneficial for cardiovascular health. One of the notable effects of celery is its ability to help lower blood pressure. This effect is related to the minerals and plant compounds in this vegetable.
Potassium is an important component in celery that plays a role in regulating blood pressure. This mineral helps the kidneys eliminate excess sodium from the body through urine. When sodium levels decrease, blood volume also decreases, thereby contributing to lowering blood pressure. Potassium also helps dilate blood vessel walls, making blood circulation easier.
In addition to potassium, celery also contains 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), especially abundant in celery seeds. This compound can act as a natural diuretic, helping to eliminate excess water and salt. At the same time, it also affects the activity of calcium channels in blood vessel cells, thereby helping blood vessels dilate and reducing pressure on blood vessel walls.
NBP also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help limit oxidative stress, factors related to inflammation and damage to blood vessels. When this condition is controlled, blood vessel function is improved and blood pressure tends to be more stable.
Another compound in celery is apigenin, belonging to the flavonoid group. Apigenin can support blood pressure regulation through a mechanism that helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation. At the same time, this compound also has anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to protecting the cardiovascular system.
Despite its many benefits, celery is not an alternative to medical treatment. Experts recommend using celery as part of a general healthy diet. A diet like DASH, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low in salt, can effectively support blood pressure control.
There are currently no specific recommendations on the amount of celery to consume each day to achieve optimal results. However, adding celery to your daily vegetable diet is a reasonable approach. Fresh celery, celery juice can be used or combined in dishes.
It should be noted that consuming too much celery or using supplements from celery seeds can cause interactions with some medications, especially blood pressure medications. Therefore, people with underlying conditions should consult a medical professional before using them regularly.
In general, celery can help control blood pressure thanks to mechanisms related to vasodilation and sodium excretion. However, the effectiveness depends on maintaining a proper diet and lifestyle.
