Using celery juice to alleviate high blood pressure is a Chinese folk remedy that has not been proven in humans through laboratory trials. According to High Blood Pressure Info, celery contains the compound phthalide, which helped lower blood pressure in trials involving laboratory animals. However, the website cautions against humans overindulging in celery as a sole blood pressure remedy until further trials and experiments determine celery's effectiveness in reducing blood pressure in humans.
The Active Compound
Celery juice contains the compound 3-n-butylphtalide, or phthalide, which contributes to the vegetable's taste and aroma. As a chemical affecting the body, phthalide helps relax the smooth muscles in the walls of the blood vessels, according to High Blood Pressure Info. Blood pressure decreases as the blood vessels dilate and allow blood to flow easier and more freely.
Reducing Stress Hormones
Phthalide also helps decrease the production of catecholamines, according to research by clinical pharmacologist William J. Elliot and medical student Quang T. Le, documented at High Blood Pressure Info. Catecholamines are the fight-or-flight hormones that the adrenal glands produce in events of stress. They can contribute to high blood pressure.
Damage From Stress
Stress hormones such as catecholamines can tighten blood vessels and restrict the free flow of blood, increasing the amount of pressure necessary for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Phthalide blocks the action of tyrosine hydroxylase enzymes that produce stress hormones and contribute to high blood pressure, according to High Blood Pressure Info.
Celery Juice Recommendations
Juicing For Health recommends drinking celery juice every day for one week, stopping for three weeks, then restarting the routine of one week of celery juice followed by three weeks without. Celery juice also contains elements such as calcium, magnesium and potassium that help relax the nervous system. This further soothes feelings of stress that can contribute to high blood pressure, according to Natural News.
Eating Celery Stalks
New Media Explorer suggests eating four stalks of crisp, fresh celery each day to help maintain safe levels of blood pressure. Because celery contains about 35mg sodium per stalk, people with high blood pressure should moderate their celery consumption in relation to their current diet, according to The World's Healthiest Foods.
References
- High Blood Pressure Info: A Health Benefit of Celery is it`s ability to lower blood pressure.
- Juicing For Health: Health Benefits of Celery
- Natural News: Celery Juice Every Day Keeps High Blood Pressure at Bay by Heidi Fagley
- New Media Explorer: Stevia & Celery Lower Blood Pressure
- The World's Healthiest Foods: Celery
