Five Benefits of Eating Celery before Bed

Celery is a highly nutritious low-carb vegetable with impressive health benefits, and consuming celery during the evening can boost its health-promoting properties. 

Discover the benefits of eating celery before bed and learn why consuming celery regularly can promote healthy blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and reduce anxiety.

Celery and apigenin

Celery is a low-calorie leafy vegetable with a distinct bright green color, and it’s an exceptionally rich source of apigenin, a dietary flavonoid responsible for many celery health benefits. 

While apigenin concentrations are highest in celery seeds, it can also be found in significant amounts in celery leaves and stalks.  

Because of apigenin’s numerous health benefits, it has become a topic of scientific interest in recent years, and much research has been conducted to investigate its role in preventing health issues and chronic diseases.  

A recent study published in The International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that apigenin has potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and concludes that “Apigenin can be a therapeutic agent to overcome diseases like inflammation, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease, and even several types of cancers.”¹

Not only has apigenin shown the ability to promote cancer cell death, but it also may lower blood pressure, support normal central nervous system function, and help improve liver enzymes in people with fatty liver disease.

Watch the video below to discover why you should eat fresh celery before bed. 

Five benefits of eating celery before bed

The use of celery to promote health and lower the risk of inflammatory diseases dates back centuries.

Ancient cultures such as the Greeks and Romans recognized celery’s medicinal properties and used it as a natural antibiotic remedy and a treatment for high blood pressure and skin diseases.

While eating celery sticks offers health advantages regardless of the time of day, consuming celery before bed can enhance its many benefits. 

“Apigenin has potent anxiolytic properties, meaning it helps reduce anxiety and promotes a sense of calmness,” explains Dr. Berg. “Lowering anxiety can reduce the body’s production of stress hormones, including cortisol, which can contribute to inflammation and weight gain.”

Promoting relaxation during the evening hours facilitates restful sleep, which is crucial for restoring and rejuvenating your cells and tissues. This explains why eating celery before bed has such profound health benefits.    

Here are five reasons to eat celery before bed. 

1. Rich in nutrients 

Not all celery benefits are due to apigenin. 

Celery is an excellent source of essential nutrients needed for normal cellular function and metabolic processes, including vitamins K and C, potassium, and folate. 

Celery also contains dietary fiber, which benefits digestive and metabolic health, especially before bed. 

Fiber buffers the absorption of carbs and sugar, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. This is particularly important for individuals with diabetes or metabolic syndrome who have high blood sugar levels in the morning or experience blood sugar fluctuations during the night.

2. Supports relaxation and restful sleep 

Eating a few stalks of celery before bed has anti-anxiety effects and may help you get a good night’s sleep. 

Apigenin has been found to bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, reducing brain activity and promoting a calming and relaxing effect. 

In fact, a study published in Nutrients found that individuals with a high dietary intake of apigenin experienced better sleep and benefited from longer sleep periods than those with little to no apigenin consumption.²

3. May reduce cancer risk 

Celery has potent anti-cancer properties and may lower the risk of intestinal, pancreatic, and breast cancers while you are sleeping.   

Apigenin is believed to promote apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in certain cancer cells, which can help prevent their uncontrolled growth and spread.

4. Promotes prostate health 

An enlarged prostate can cause a frequent need to urinate at night, also known as nocturia.

Although more research is needed to confirm the exact role of apigenin in prostate health, research published in the Journal of Urology suggests that this flavonoid may inhibit cell growth within the prostate gland, which lowers the risk of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.³

5. Lowers bad cholesterol 

Celery doesn’t just help with falling asleep—it also promotes the release of digestive enzymes and bile, a vitally important fluid needed for fat digestion and cholesterol balance. 

Celery contains butylphthalide, a natural compound that stimulates bile flow and promotes the excretion of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as the bad cholesterol linked to an increased risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke.  

Is celery keto-friendly?

Yes, celery is keto-friendly and an excellent choice for a nutritious low-carb diet like Healthy Keto®.

Celery is very low in carbs and on the keto food list. 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of raw celery contains only around 1.4 grams of net carbs, making it an exceptionally nutritious low-carb and low-calorie vegetable that you can safely enjoy on keto.

Celery juice contains around 3 grams of carbs per four-ounce (120 ml) serving, and moderate amounts are okay on keto. However, it’s best to include celery juice in your daily net carb count to avoid blood sugar spikes that can disrupt ketosis.  

Celery nutrition facts

According to data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of fresh celery typically contains:⁴

• 14 calories 
•  0.2 g total fat
•  0.7 g protein
•  3 g total carbs
• 1.6 g fiber
• 1.4 g net carbs

Possible adverse effects of eating celery before bed 

While celery is typically well tolerated by most people, there are some potential adverse effects of eating celery before bed. 

Frequent urination

Celery contains phthalides and coumarins, a group of natural compounds with diuretic properties that can trigger increased urine production.

While this is beneficial for managing urinary tract infections, it can cause frequent urination during the night in some individuals with a sensitive bladder. 

Laxative effects

While the laxative effects of celery are generally mild, consuming too much may lead to loose stools or increased frequency of bowel movements, especially if your digestive tract isn’t used to high-fiber foods.

Drug interactions 

Like many other foods and natural substances, celery can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and drugs that help lower blood pressure.

If you are taking any prescription medications, it’s recommended to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss daily celery consumption before bed. 

FAQ

Sources

1. Salehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Apigenin. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(6). doi:10.3390/ijms20061305 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6472148/ ↩︎
2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/5/1226 ↩︎
3. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1016/S0022-5347(18)35590-3 ↩︎
4. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-search/?query=169988 ↩︎