Effects of celery (Apium Graveolens) on blood pressure, glycemic and lipid profile in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Dangzhen Liu¹Haiyan Zhao²Hong Xu¹Jingqing Hu^3*

• ¹Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
• ²Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
• ³Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China

Background: Celery is commonly used as a diet intervention for hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. However, its precise therapeutic efficacy remains uncertain. Objective: This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of celery preparations in regulating blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids profiles in adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, China Biology Medicine disc, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Randomized controlled trials of celery were included. Data were analyzed using either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model, depending on heterogeneity, and were presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All eligible studies were evaluated in terms of study characteristics, risk of bias, me-ta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and publication bias. Results: Our meta-analysis included ten randomized controlled studies with a total of 511 participants. The results demonstrated significant therapeutic effects of celery on systolic blood pressure (SMD: -1.0; 95% CI: -1.85 to -0.14), diastolic blood pressure (SMD: -0.93; 95% CI: -1.54 to -0.33), fasting plasma glucose (SMD: -0.80; 95% CI: -1.58 to -0.01), and triglyceride (SMD: -1.18; 95% CI: -1.45 to -0.91). However, no overall effects were observed on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, or high-density lipo-protein. Subgroup analysis revealed that celery seeds or celery preparations exceeding 1000 mg/day were more effective than other parts of celery. Additionally, no significant difference in adverse events between celery and placebo. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that Celery preparations significantly improve hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia, with a favorable safety profile. Celery seeds or celery preparations exceeding 1000 mg/day will have better effect. These findings suggest that celery performs well as a potential dietary supplement for reducing hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. However, the substantial heterogeneity observed for most outcomes and limited sample sizes warrant further high-quality clinical trials with longer follow-up periods to confirm these effects and establish optimal dosing regimens.