Celery Juice: More Harm than Benefits

FACT: Celery juice has LESS nutritional value/flavone content than raw celery itself. Authors found that the total flavones in fresh celery = 70.8mg/100g (including both apigenin and luteolin), 22.5 mg in celery juice (made from 100g celery), and 18.0 mg in celery pomace (generated from 100g celery). Hosteler et al 2012 

Poor bioavailability – many phytochemicals from vegetables are metabolized during digestion and excreted with urine rather than being transported to target cells or tissues. Instead, due to a variety of factors including molecular weight and low solubility – many nutrients within celery are unable to induce the benefits seen in vitro due to concentrations being unattainable for human physiology. Thilakarathna and Rupasinghe et al 2013

Table of foods high in Apigenin and Luteolin from USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods (Release 3.3, March 2018)  

Additional nutritional facts on Celery Juice

USDA nutritional facts for Celery juice

Calories = 15 calories (110g of celery stalks) – FDA   

Sodium = 189 mg (23.6 mg in 1 fl oz of celery juice – USDA Food Data Central)

• 100g of fresh celery (roughly 2 stalks) contains 80 mg of sodium. Roughly 240 mg of sodium in 6 stalks of celery. USDA FoodData Central

Fiber = 3.78g

Bioavailability of celery components

Yao and Ren 2011 –

Cooking methods of celery can alter nutrient availability (specifically flavonols)

Apigenin/Luteolin amounts are compared between fresh celery, blanched, boiled, and steamed to see the amount of flavonols remaining. Boiling most significantly reduced flavonol amounts in the celery cultivars utilized (Shengjie and Tropica). Additionally, were detected in the water the celery was cooked in. 

Apigenin in Shengjie celery:

• Fresh – 969.8 mg/100g
• Blanched – 75.5mg/100g
• Boiled – 62.5 mg/100g
• Steamed – 101.3 mg/100g

Apigenin in Tropica cultivar of celery:

• Fresh – 410.2 mg/100g
• Blanched – 64.6 mg/ 100g
• Boiled – 46.9 mg/100g
• Steamed – 105.7 mg/100g

Luteolin in Shengjie:

• Fresh – 175.8 mg/100g
• Blanched – 72.1 mg/100g
• Boiled – 39.7 mg/100g
• Steamed – 80.6 mg/100g

Luteolin in Tropica cultivar of celery:

• Fresh – 214.4 mg/100g
• Blanched – 71.9 mg/100g
• Boiled – 43.5 mg/100g
• Steamed – 81.2 mg/100g

Cao et al 2010 – Investigated 5 flavonoids (quercetin, isohamnetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and luteolin) via dietary intake and measured flavonoid content in plasma via HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography). They compared flavonoid content with fasting plasma concentrations. 92 students (20-28 years old) healthy, no metabolic disease, not pregnant/breastfeeding. Nutritional data was collected via 7-day dietary records. The study was conducted on students following a habitual (normal) diet with a self-completed dietary record.

Average plasma concentrations for quercetin – 80.23 nmol/l (18/92 participants below the limit of detection), apigenin 10.62 nmol/l (25/92 participants below the limit of detection), luteolin – 99.90 nmol/l (32/92 participants below the limit of detection) after 7 days of monitored dietary intake including flavonoids and flavones. The average food intake of luteolin and apigenin (flavones) were predominantly provided by celery (9%) and eggplant (6%). 8.08 mg of luteolin on average was provided via diet per day. 4.23 mg of apigenin were provided via diet per day.

After 7 days of dietary intake, flavone concentrations in plasma (via fasting blood samples) were collected. Results showed that on average 10.62 nmol/liter of apigenin were found in plasma and 99.9 nmol/liter of luteolin were found in plasma after 7 days of flavonoid/flavone-rich dieting.

Dietary intervention study – This was a supplemental study to the 7-day dietary investigation. The researchers randomly choose 10 males/10 females from the larger study to complete the intervention. The 20 students ate apigenin and luteolin-free diets for 3 days prior to blood samples (experimental day). On the experimental day, a fasting blood sample was collected and  students were allowed to eat 2g/kg celery leaf. Blood samples were collected at multiple time points up to 28hrs post celery leaf consumption.

Prior to eating celery leaf, no apigenin was detected in fasting plasma samples. After eating 2g/kg of celery leaf, apigenin concentration increased with lots of variation between participants (0-396.25 nmol/liter) between 0 and 28hr after eating celery leaf.

Average increase of Apigenin detected over time: (so to maintain high steady state, would have to eat it every 7 hours)

• 4hr – 58.12 nmol/l
• 6hr – 134.20 nmol/l
• 7hr – 190.41 nmol/l
• 8hr – 126.99 nmol/l
• 9hr-125.95 nmol/l
• 10hr – 90.96 nmol/l
• 11hr – 62.50 nmol
• 28hr – not detectable

Karin-Janssen 1998 – most of the concentrations in vitro are not actually attainable in vivo (after eating it). Measured in vitro and in vivo (humans’ dietary study) to determine if in vitro flavonoid function could be recapitulated in human diets. Concluded that despite seeing in vitro that quercetin and apigenin were able to significantly inhibit collagen and ADP (adenosine diphosphate) platelet aggregation at 2500 µMol/Liter. This is not physiologically possible to reach.

After ingestion of 64.2 mg of quercetin from onions, only 0.6 µmol/Liter were measured in human plasma. Apigenin was not detectable in plasma in this study.

Flavonoid concentrations in vitro when used between 10-1000 µmol/L are values that are 10-1000x higher than concentrations obtained by oral intake.

• In their dietary study, daily consumption (7 days) of 4.9 grams of dried parsley (84 mg/day of apigenin) did not result in reduced platelet aggregation. Additionally, in this study, apigenin was not detectable in plasma after ingestion.

Dang et al 2014

Luteolin has been used as a remedy in traditional medicine, but it has low bioavailability (due to low water solubility). Currently, researchers are trying to develop delivery systems to help improve the bioavailability of beneficial phytochemicals. Some ways include: solid lipid nanoparticles as a delivery system for potential use in treatments for human medicine.

Ding et al 2014 and Faridi Esfanjani 2018 – Bioavailability of phytochemicals is an issue

Some compounds are released via chewing, more compounds from celery (other vegetables) are released in the stomach but increased pH in intestines may destroy some compounds along with difficulty in absorption due to low water solubility. Phenols are typically absorbed via passive diffusion. Other absorption variables include molecular weight and lipophilicity of phenol compounds. Researchers are trying to utilize nanoparticles and other options to increase bioavailability.

Alternative sources of nutrients

If you have high blood pressure or if not eating well, adding a glass of vegetable (not just celery) juice helps

• Shenoy 2010– 86 Volunteers all ate the DASH diet, other groups drank 8oz or 16 oz of vegetable juice (commercially available V8 juice). DASH diet + vegetable juice groups reached USDA dietary recommendations of vegetable intake (2.5 cups). Pre-hypertensive volunteers who ate DASH + vegetable juice (8oz or 16oz) saw a decrease in their blood pressure. Healthy diet + vegetable consumption associated with increased CV health increased in weight loss/vit C/potassium intake (for those with metabolic syndrome).

Salt intake from vegetable juices:

FDA/Dietary Guidelines for America recommends less than 2300 mg of salt per day (~1 teaspoon). On average, Americans eat 3400 mg of sodium (~1.5 teaspoons)

• American Heart Association recommends 2300 mg of sodium, but want the ideal limit to be less than 1500 mg (~half a teaspoon)
• Shenoy et al 2010 study – participants were given commercially available V8 juice with 50 calories/8g sugar/480 mg sodium per 8 oz.
  • 8oz participants had 480 mg sodium per day from drink
    • 9% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 2300 mg guidelines; 32% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 1500 mg guidelines.
  • 16oz participants had 960 mg sodium per day from drink
    • 7% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 2300 mg guidelines; 64% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 1500 mg guidelines
  • American Heart Association recommends ½ cup of vegetable juice (4oz) and ¼ cup of fruit juice (2 oz) due to the potential of increased added sugars/sodium.
  • Currently available V8 juice (sodium amounts have changed based on options/type)
    • Low sodium – 140 mg of sodium per 8oz
      • 1% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 2300 mg guidelines; 9.3% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 1500 mg guidelines
    • Original – 640 mg of sodium per 8oz
      • 8% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 2300 mg guidelines; 42% of recommended daily intake of sodium-based on 1500 mg guidelines

Zheng et al 2017 – Eating whole fruit/vegetables increases antioxidants, improves regulation of cardiovascular systems, reduces inflammation.

Reshef et al 2005 – Sweetie Fruit Juice – In a double-blind, cross-over study of 12 Stage 1 hypertensive patients showed a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure when given high-flavonoid sweetie juice (a hybrid of a grapefruit and a pummelo) vs low-flavonoid sweet juice. Starting DBP in high flavonoid group 89.2 mmHg on average; ending DBP in high flavonoid group 81.0 mmHg on average. In comparison to 85.3 mmHg DBP in low flavonoid group at the start and 84.7 mmHg DBP after 5 weeks. Active ingredients are associated with antihypertensive effects.

Hai Lui 2013 – Lots of fruits/vegetables contain a wide variety of compounds that all can improve health and wellness showing that nutritional benefits can be gained from a variety of fruits/vegetables. 20-30% reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease is associated with high intake of fruit and vegetables – results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-control trial which took detailed fruit/vegetable intake information from 39,127 participants (Liu et al 2000)

In a study of 22,043 adults in Greece, results found that greater adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet (high intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, cereals, fish, olive oil, and low dairy/meat) is associated with reduced total mortality (25% reduction) and reduced death due to cardiovascular disease (33% reduction). (Trichopoulou et al 2003)

Hiedemann et al 2008 – investigated the relationship between dietary patterns (Prudent pattern – high intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, poultry, whole grains vs western pattern – red meat, processed meat, refined grains, french fries, sweets/desserts) and risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, all-cause mortality in 72,113 women with follow up between 1984 and 2002. Found that participants that were in the highest quintile for adherence to the prudent dietary pattern had a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality and 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality when compared to those in the lowest quintile.

Anti-inflammatory

• Apigenin could suppress arthritis
  • Li 2015 – Researchers induced arthritis by directly injecting collagen intradermally into the tail of laboratory rodents to induce arthritis. After initial collagen injection, they administered 20 mg/kg of Apigenin given via intraperitoneal injection in C57BL/6 mice daily until the end of the experiment (48 days). They found that there was a decreased incidence of arthritis/joint swelling, and suppressed synovial hyperplasia
  • 20 mg/kg/day of Apigenin was administered over 48 days; mice were given a total of 960 mg of Apigenin to obtain these results.
  • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice to obtain similar amounts of Apigenin in celery juice = 4 (8oz) glasses of juice per day for 48 days.
• Luteolin in celery may reduce inflammation/allergies:
  • Jang 2017 – Inflammation-sensitization protocol: Ovalbumin (OVA; derived from chicken eggs; typically used to induce pulmonary allergic responses in mice) + alum (adjuvant) given intraperitoneally on day 1, day 5, day 14, and day 21 of the experiment. Followed by a daily intranasal challenge with OVA (without adjuvant). 8 OVA(egg albumin)-exposed mice were given luteolin (0.1 mg/kg intraperitoneally) 30 minutes prior to daily intranasal challenge with OVA to induce an allergic response. In luteolin-treated mice – reduced allergic inflammation in the bronchioles and nasal mucosa occurred, with decreased inflammatory cell infiltration.
  • 1 mg/kg/day of luteolin administered over 14 days; mice were given a total of 1.4 mg of luteolin.
  • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice to obtain similar amounts of luteolin = 0.5 (8oz) glasses of juice per day for 14 days.
• Celery (and parsley) contain flavonoids which can act as anti-inflammatory agents- Nicholas et al 2007 – Journal of Immunology
  • Authors investigated apigenin in LPS-stimulated primary human monocytes and in vivo via LPS-induced sepsis. LPS (derived from E. coli) was used at 10 ng/ml or 100 ng/mL.
  • In vivo – Apigenin injection inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha (sepsis model) production and increased survival in comparison to non-treated mice
  • Mice were injected with 50 mg/kg of body weight or diluent controls (DMSO/PBS) 3hrs prior to a lethal dose of LPS (37.5 mg/kg) or PBS. Mice monitored hourly. Blood was collected via retro-orbital puncture. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50mg/kg of apigenin IP or vehicle control and challenged 3 hrs later with a lethal dose of LPS (37.5 mg/kg).
  • Pre-treatment with apigenin prevented LPS-induced septic shock death at 70hrs; 1 mouse died after 5 days. 100% of LPS-treated mice alone died. Pre-treatment with apigenin also significantly reduced serum TNF levels after 1hr post-LPS-challenge.
  • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice they would need to consume to achieve 50 mg/kg, they would need a total of 3750 mg of apigenin. 3750 mg apigenin = 94 (8oz) glasses of celery juice would need to be consumed.
  • In vivo – Apigenin injection inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha (sepsis model) production and increased survival in comparison to non-treated mice
  • Mice were injected with 50 mg/kg of body weight or diluent controls (DMSO/PBS) 3hrs prior to a lethal dose of LPS (37.5 mg/kg) or PBS. Mice monitored hourly. Blood was collected via retro-orbital puncture. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50mg/kg of apigenin IP or vehicle control and challenged 3 hrs later with a lethal dose of LPS (37.5 mg/kg).
  • Pre-treatment with apigenin prevented LPS-induced septic shock death at 70hrs; 1 mouse died after 5 days. 100% of LPS-treated mice alone died. Pre-treatment with apigenin also significantly reduced serum TNF levels after 1hr post-LPS-challenge.For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice they would need to consume to achieve 50 mg/kg, they would need a total of 3750 mg of apigenin. 3750 mg apigenin = 94 (8oz) glasses of celery juice would need to be consumed.

  • In vitro – using human monocytes – Apigenin inhibited gene expression of different proinflammatory cytokines.

  • LPS (10 ng/mL) + Apigenin = with 10 uM and 25 uM of Apigenin significant reduction of IL-1b, TNF, IL-8  (at the same time or with LPS added 1 hr prior to apigenin)

  • Found that Apigenin can inhibit the release of the inflammatory cytokines in humans primary monocytes in the presence of an inflammatory stimulus (but there is no effect of apigenin on cytokine release (mRNA or protein secretion,  without the administration of LPS).

  • 695.7 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 10 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans.

  • 1739.2 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 25 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans. ^[16]

Lower blood pressure

• Luteolin may decrease blood pressure

  • Su et al. 2015 – Investigated the effect of luteolin on vascular remodeling and the effect of luteolin on aortic thickening from hypertension in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs).

• • In vitro studies – 5, 10, and 20 uM of Luteolin inhibit angiotensin II-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.
  • 193.2 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 5 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans. 386.3 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 10 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans. 772.6 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 20 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans³.
  • In vivo studies – When SHRs were given 75 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg per day of luteolin orally for 6 weeks, these rats showed decreased blood pressure
  • 75 mg/kg/day of luteolin was administered over 6 weeks; mice were given a total of 3150 mg of luteolin to obtain these results.
  • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice they would need to consume to achieve the equivalent of 75 mg/kg/day for 42 days = 383.8 (8oz) glasses of celery juice would need to be consumed per day for 42 days.
  • 150 mg/kg/day of luteolin was administered over 6 weeks; mice were given a total of 6300 mg of luteolin to obtain these results.
  • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice they would need to consume to achieve the equivalent of 150 mg/kg/day for 42 days= 767.6 (8oz) glasses of celery juice would need to be consumed per day for 42 days. ¹⁶

Decreased insulin resistance

• Luteolin may increase insulin signaling in adipocytes
  • Ding et al 2010 – Investigated the anti-insulin resistance properties of luteolin; found that in the cell line 3T3-Li adipocytes treated with luteolin (20 µmol/l) for 6 hr or 24hr showed increased glucose uptake and insulin signaling in adipocytes. Luteolin was able to regulate adipokine and cytokine mRNA production in the 3T3- Li adipocytes and luteolin increased activation of transcription factors involved in the regulation of metabolic genes.
  • 772.6  glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 20 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans ³. 

Apigenin displayed protection in learning during Alzheimer’s mouse models.

• Liu et al 2011 – Investigated the anti-amnesic and protective effects of apigenin against amyloid-ꞵ-induced neurotoxicity (to model Alzheimer’s Disease) in male mice. Injected 10nMol of amyloid-ꞵ in 3 µL aliquots of saline into the right lateral ventricle of the brain. 4 groups of experimental and controls: Vehicle treated, amyloid-ꞵ treated mice, amyloid-ꞵ treated mice + 20 mg/kg x 8 days orally Apigenin, amyloid-ꞵ treated mice + 10 mg/kg x 8 days orally Apigenin. Using the Morris water maze test,  investigators found that the 20mg/kg group showed partly improved spatial learning and capability. Regional cerebral blood flow also improved in apigenin-treated mice.

• 20 mg/kg/day of Apigenin was administered over 8 days; mice were given a total of 160 mg of Apigenin to obtain these results.

• For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice to obtain similar amounts of Apigenin= 37.4 (8oz) glasses of juice per day for 8 days.

Decreased cell proliferation in cancer

• Luteolin displayed in vitro and in vivo (mouse models)  inhibition of cancer cells.
  • Kim et al 2007.– Luteolin was isolated from perennial herb Scutellaria barbata D. don to examine the ability of luteolin to induce apoptosis and measure in vivo effect on tumor growth. Lewis lung carcinoma cell (LLC cell line) was inhibited by luteolin at an IC50 of 12 µM. Annexin V/Propidium iodine (PI) staining (flow cytometry staining technique to differentiate apoptosis from necrosis) showed that luteolin is capable of inducing apoptosis in Lewis lung carcinoma cells.
  • 463.6 glasses of 8oz celery juice are required to obtain a 12 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans. 66.2 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration³.
  • In vivo inhibition studies were completed using male C57BL/6 mice (5 weeks old) given Lewis lung carcinoma cells subcutaneously implanted into the right flank. After 6 days post subcutaneous implantation of cancer cells, Luteolin (dissolved in PBS + 0.1% DMSO + 0.5% Tween-80) was given via intraperitoneal injection to mice daily at either 2mg/kg/day or 10mg/kg/day for 7 days. Results found that in mice given 2mg/kg/day there was a 40% decrease in tumor growth; 60% decrease in mice given 10 mg/kg/day.
    • 2mg/kg/day mice were given a total of 14 mg/kg to obtain their results. 10 mg/kg/day mice were given a total of 70 mg/kg to obtain their results.
    • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice they would need to consume to obtain 2 mg/kg/day of Luteolin for 7 days= 10.2 (8oz) glasses per day for 7 days.
    • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice they would need to consume to obtain 10 mg/kg/day of Luteolin for 7 days= 51.2 (8oz) glasses per day for 7 days.
• Kawaii 1999 – (In vitro inhibition of cancer cell lines) – Examined 27 flavonoids’ ability to inhibit cell proliferation in mouse and human cancer cell lines + normal human cell lines. Conclusions: Luteolin was able to inhibit strongly in all cancer cell lines; apigenin required large concentrations.
  • Human Lung carcinoma (A549 cell line)
    • Apigenin – >40µM: 2,782.7 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 40 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans. 397.5 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
    • Luteolin – 3.1 µM: 19.8 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 3.1 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans.
  • Melanin pigment-producing mouse melanoma (B16 melanoma 4A5 cell line)
    • Apigenin – >40 µM: 2,782.7 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 40 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans. 397.5 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
    • Luteolin – 2.3 µM: 88.9 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 2.3  µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans.
  • Human T cell leukemia (CCRF-HSB-2 cell line)
    • Apigenin – >40 µM: 2,782.7 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 40 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans. 397.5 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
    • Luteolin – 2.0 µM: 73.4 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 3.1 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans.
  • Human gastric cancer, lymph node metastatic (TGBCIITKB cell line)
    • Apigenin – >40 µM: 2,782.7 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 40 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans. 397.5 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
    • Luteolin – 1.3 µM: 50.2  glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 1.3 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans. 7.2 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
• Fotsis 1997 (In vitro angiogenesis suppression) – Bovine microvascular endothelial (BME) cells isolated from the adrenal cortex were grown on a collagen-matrix gel. In order to induce angiogenesis (as measured by the presence of single-cell or cell cord/capillary-like tube formation penetrating into the collagen gel), 10 ng/ml of bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) and 30 ng/mL of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) were added to BME cells. Prior to VEGF and bFGF addition, flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin + others but these are the two shown in celery) were added 2 hrs prior at a concentration of 10 µM. Results showed that 10 µM of flavonoids (Apigenin and Luteolin) reduced invading BME cells and the generation of capillary-like structures. When compared to control, apigenin reduced additive sprout length by 70%, and luteolin reduced by 60%.
  • (In vitro inhibition of cellular proliferation) – Bovine brain capillary endothelial (BBCE) cells were plated at 5000 cells/well and given 2.5 ng/mL of bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) on alternative days +/- dose-response curve between 0.1 µM – 100 µM of flavonoids (luteolin, quercetin + others but these are the two shown in celery). Found that these flavonoids were able to inhibit cellular proliferation of BBCE cells (up to 100% at ~10 µM concentration). Additionally, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated for various cell lines; all numerical values listed as concentrations in µmol/liter:
    • Bovine brain capillary endothelial cells:
      • Apigenin – 6.5 µmol/liter: 452.2 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 6.5 µmol/liter apigenin plasma concentration in humans.
      • Luteolin – 1.9 µmol/liter: 73.4 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 1.9 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
    • Human fibroblasts (HFK2 cells) :
      • Apigenin – 10.0 µmol/liter: 695.7 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 10 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
      • Luteolin – 7.6 µmol/liter: 293.6 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 7.6 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans. 41.9 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
    • Human keratinocytes (HaCat cells):
      • Apigenin – 10.0 µmol/liter: 695.7 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 10 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
      • Luteolin – 7.6 µmol/liter: 293.6 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 7.6 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
    • Human breast cancer adenocarcinoma (MCF7 cells):
      • Apigenin – 3.5 µmol/liter: 243.5 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 3.5 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
      • Luteolin – 6.5 µmol/liter: 251.1 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 6.5 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
    • Human neuroblastoma cell (SH-EP cell line):
      • Apigenin – 3.5 µmol/liter: 243.5 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 3.5 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
      • Luteolin – 6.5 µmol/liter: 251.1 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 6.5 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans. 35.9 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
    • Human neuroblastoma cells (WAC2)
      • Apigenin – 3.5 µmol/liter: 243.5 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 3.5 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans.
      • Luteolin – 6.5 µmol/liter: 251.1 glasses of 8oz celery juice required to obtain a 6.5 µmol/liter luteolin plasma concentration in humans. 35.9 glasses of celery juice daily for 7 days to reach appropriate plasma concentration.
• Luteolin inhibited metastasis of melanoma in mice.
  • Ruan et al 2012 – investigated the ability of luteolin to prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition which is associated with cancer and tumor metastasis. Female C57BL/6 mice were injected with murine malignant melanoma cells (B16F10 cell line) at 1×10^6 cells sin 0.2 mL per mouse into the lateral tail vein. Melanoma-induced mice were also given 10 or 20 mg/kg of luteolin intraperitoneally daily for 23 days. They found that luteolin was able to significantly inhibit lung metastasis of melanoma in mice given 10 or 20 mg/kg compared to controls.
  • 20 mg/kg/day of luteolin was administered over 23 days; mice were given a total of 160 mg of luteolin to obtain these results.
    • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice to obtain similar amounts of Luteolin = 102.4 (8oz) glasses of juice per day for 23 days.
  • 10 mg/kg/day of luteolin was administered over 23 days; mice were given a total of 6000 mg of luteolin to obtain these results.
    • For 75 kg women, the amount of celery juice to obtain similar amounts of Luteolin = 51.2 (8oz) glasses of juice per day for 23 days.

Like anything, we can see harm when people consume too much of any one nutrient. For celery, those risks include:

• Sodium content: For anyone who has high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, or any other sodium-sensitive condition, the sodium content of 378mg in celery juice could present a risk.
  • FDA/Dietary Guidelines for America recommends less than 2300 mg of salt per day (~1 teaspoon). On average, Americans eat 3400 mg of sodium (~1.5 teaspoons)
    • American Heart Association recommends 2300 mg of sodium, but want the ideal limit to be less than 1500 mg (~half a teaspoon)
• Photosensitivity
  • Gorgus 2010 – Photodermatitis can occur from touching celery; high consumption of celery (and other foods high in furocoumarins) can lead to an increased risk of sunburn due to phototoxicity/photogenotoxicity of furocoumarins with UVA irradiation.
  • Dobson 2016 – Case report of 53 yo woman with phototoxic rash 3 days after starting celery soup diet (3 bowls per day)
• Celery can interact with some medications, including warfarin and other hypertensive drugs or diuretics.
  • Miller 1998
  • Heck et al 2000
• Kidney stones: People predisposed to oxalate renal stones may need to avoid high nitrate vegetables, such as celery.
  • Kapil et al 2014 – Patients predisposed to oxalate renal stones may need to avoid high nitrate vegetables (celery contains oxalate)
  • Getting et al 2013– High dietary oxalate can lead to hyperoxaluria and kidney damage; particularly dependent on medical history. But diet-based oxalate nephropathy can occur with high consumption.
  • Vanhanen 2015 – The addition of spinach to juices may significantly increase oxalate; regular consumption should be done cautiously.

^[1] Medical Medium –  Medical Medium Blog: Celery juice

^[2] 378 mg of sodium in 16 oz; USDA FoodData shows 23.6 mg of sodium per 1 fl oz of celery juice. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1103382/nutrients

^[3] Lin et al 2007

^[4] Justesen et al 2001,  Zheng and Wang 2001

^[5] Lin et al 2007

^[6] Huber et al 2009, Mattila et al 2000

^[7] Arai et al 2000,Huber et al 2009 , Justesen et al 2001,  Justesen et al 1998 , Lugast and Hovari 2000, Sakakibara et al 2003

^[8] Innocenti et al 2007

^[9] Ferracane et al 2008, Lattanzio et al 1987, Schütz et al 2004, Wang et al 2003

^[10] Crozier et al 1997, Harnly et al 2006, Hertog et al 1992, Justesen et al 1998 , Lin et al 2007, Sakakibara et al 2003  

^[11] Areias et al 2001,  Justesen et al 2001

^[12]  Justesen et al 2001 , Zheng and Wang 2001

^[13] Bahorun et al 2004,  Lee et al 1995

^[14] Hostetler et al 2017

^[15] Dykes et al 2009 

^[16] The values calculated for the amount of celery juice are compared across human studies and in vitro cell line data. This is not the cleanest way to calculate these values – but few studies have determined plasma concentrations of these flavonols in human blood. The circulating plasma concentrations of luteolin and apigenin required to see effects on human health are      currently unknown. There is no known threshold dosage for the amount of apigenin/luteolin/celery to produce long-lasting effects. There is no direct relationship between clinical doses and in vitro cell culture doses; empirical studies would be required to confirm an effective (and non-toxic) dosage for use in humans. Therefore, the only way to come up with some of these values (amount of celery juice to obtain some of these in vitro concentration levels) is by multi-study calculations. Additionally, there is going to be variability in the number of protein levels obtained (based on extraction protocols/equipment sensitivity/sample collection, etc.) In vitro calculations for plasma concentration are based on Cao et al. 2009  – this study found that an average of 8.08 mg of luteolin was obtained in dietary intake per day (predominantly from celery and eggplant). 56.56 mg of luteolin were consumed over 7 days; After 7 days, 99.9 nmol/liter on average circulated in human plasma after 7 days. 1.8 mg of luteolin per oz of celery juice back-calculated from Hostlerler et al. 2012. Cao et al 2009. also found that an average of 4.23 mg of apigenin was obtained in dietary intake per day for 7 days (predominantly from celery and eggplant). 29.61 mg of apigenin were consumed over 7 days. After 7 days, 10.62 nmol/liter of apigenin on average circulated in human plasma after 7 days. 5.0 mg of apigenin per oz of celery juice determined from Hostlerler et al. 2012.