The tiny seeds of wild celery plants, scientific name Apium graveolens, are collected, dried and used as a seasoning in savory foods, such as meat dishes, soups and stews. The seeds impart a characteristic celery aroma and have a slightly bitter flavor. While the amount of celery seeds required to season a dish is usually small, the seeds do contribute to a meal's overall nutritional value, particularly in the form of dietary minerals.
Components
A 1-tsp. measure of celery seed weighs around 2 g, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This amount contains just under 1 g of carbohydrates, 0.5 g of fat and 0.4 g of proteins. The measure contains little water and no significant amounts of dietary fiber.
Caloric Value
Very little caloric value comes from celery seed, which delivers only 8 total calories within a 1-tsp. measure. Carbohydrates provide the most at about 4 calories, while fats offer around 3 calories and protein deliver just 1 calorie. Based on a standard 2000-calorie daily diet, the calories in celery seed amount to less than 1 percent of the total recommended daily intake for the average adult.
Vitamins
Celery seed contains very few essential vitamins, and the vitamins it does contain are only available in trace amounts. These include vitamins B6, C and E, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin.
Minerals
Modest amounts of dietary minerals are available within a 1-tsp. measure of celery seed. The highest of these is iron, at 0.9 mg or almost 10 percent of the recommended daily intake, or RDI. Other relatively substantial amounts of minerals include calcium, at 35 mg or around 3.5 percent, and magnesium, at 9 mg or just under 2.5 percent of the RDI. Smaller amounts of phosphorus, selenium, zinc, potassium and sodium are also present within the measure.
Alternative Uses
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, celery seed is used in complementary medicine as a diuretic. Other uses include the treatment of arthritis and gout, muscle spasms, nervousness and inflammation. As of early 2011, however, there is no scientific evidence to support using celery seed as a treatment for any of these conditions.
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