Can Everyone Eat Celery? Risks, Allergies, and Who Should Be Cautious

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

While celery is widely lauded as a healthy, low-calorie snack, it is not suitable for everyone. For instance, in parts of Europe, celery is a significant food allergen, and sensitivities vary by region. Understanding these risks is crucial for safe consumption.

Quick Summary

Celery is not safe for everyone due to potential allergies, drug interactions, and risks for certain medical conditions. Individuals with allergies, on specific medications, who are pregnant, or have kidney or digestive issues should exercise caution or avoid celery entirely.

Key Points

Allergy Risk: Celery is a significant food allergen, especially in Europe, capable of causing allergic reactions from mild oral allergy syndrome to severe anaphylaxis.
Medication Interactions: Celery can negatively interact with blood thinners, lithium, thyroid medication, and blood pressure drugs, affecting their efficacy or causing adverse effects.
Pregnancy Warning: Pregnant individuals should avoid celery seed and oil, as they can cause uterine contractions. Moderate consumption of stalks is generally safe, but caution is recommended.
Digestive Issues: The high FODMAP content in celery, particularly mannitol, can cause bloating and gas for individuals with IBS, especially if consumed in large quantities.
Photosensitivity: Compounds in celery can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight, leading to rashes or blistering, especially in those with frequent handling exposure.
Kidney Concerns: Those with chronic kidney disease should moderate their celery intake and avoid high-dose supplements, as they can be dangerous.

Who Should Be Cautious About Eating Celery?

Despite its reputation as a healthy vegetable, celery can pose significant health risks for certain individuals. It is not universally safe for consumption and requires careful consideration, especially for those with specific health conditions or dietary restrictions.

Celery Allergies: A Significant Risk

Celery is a well-known food allergen, particularly prominent in European countries, affecting up to 11% of some populations. A celery allergy is an immune system overreaction to proteins within the vegetable. Allergic reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of a celery allergy may include:

Itching or tingling in the mouth, lips, and throat
Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
Hives, rash, or eczema
Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Severe anaphylaxis, which involves breathing difficulty, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness

Many celery allergies are associated with pollen food syndrome (PFS), also known as oral allergy syndrome. In this condition, the immune system cross-reacts due to the similarity between pollen proteins (e.g., from birch or mugwort) and celery proteins. While cooking can sometimes reduce the allergenicity of celery, it is not a reliable solution for all allergy sufferers.

Critical Medication Interactions

Celery contains compounds that can interact negatively with several types of medications, altering their effectiveness or causing unwanted side effects. It is crucial for individuals on any of the following to consult their doctor before consuming celery, especially in concentrated forms like juice or supplements.

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants): Celery, particularly celery root, contains vitamin K. Large amounts of vitamin K can interfere with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding.
Lithium: As a natural diuretic, celery can influence how the body processes lithium. Taking celery while on lithium could increase the drug's concentration in the body to dangerous levels.
Thyroid Medication: WebMD indicates that celery might interfere with thyroid function and reduce the effectiveness of medications like levothyroxine.
Blood Pressure Medication: Celery can have a blood pressure-lowering effect. When combined with prescription blood pressure medications, it could cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure.
Sedatives: Celery contains compounds like psoralen, which can cause drowsiness. This effect can be dangerously amplified when taken alongside sedative medications.

Pregnancy, Kidney Issues, and Digestive Sensitivities

Beyond allergies and medication, other health concerns warrant caution regarding celery consumption:

Pregnancy: While moderate amounts of celery stalks and leaves are generally safe, pregnant women should avoid celery seed, seed oil, and concentrated supplements. These can stimulate uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Kidney Disease: Individuals with chronic kidney disease should limit celery, especially in large quantities or juiced, due to its fiber content and moderate potassium levels. Celery juice cleanses are considered dangerous for those with kidney disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Celery is a source of mannitol, a FODMAP that can cause gas, bloating, and other digestive distress in sensitive individuals. Those on a low-FODMAP diet should avoid celery in typical portion sizes.

Photosensitivity and Pesticide Concerns

For some, celery can also cause external and environmental health issues:

Photosensitivity: The furanocoumarins in celery can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight. Direct contact with celery followed by sun exposure can cause a severe rash or blistering, a condition known as phytophotodermatitis.
Pesticide Residue: Conventional celery is often high in pesticide residue. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) frequently includes it on its 'Dirty Dozen' list. To minimize exposure, it is recommended to wash celery thoroughly or choose organic options. View EWG's Dirty Dozen list here.

Whole Celery vs. Celery Juice: Key Differences


Feature	Whole Celery	Celery Juice
Dietary Fiber	High in fiber (both soluble and insoluble), promoting healthy digestion and satiety.	Stripped of fiber during processing, which can negatively impact digestive function and satisfaction.
FODMAP Content	Considered high-FODMAP in quantities over 10g, potentially triggering IBS symptoms.	Contains a concentrated dose of FODMAPs, potentially worsening symptoms for those with IBS or digestive sensitivities.
Nutrient Delivery	Provides a complete nutritional profile, including fiber and electrolytes, with a lower risk of over-concentration.	Delivers a concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals, but with increased risk of over-consuming certain compounds like sodium.
Impact on Satiety	The high fiber and water content help you feel full, which can aid in weight management.	Less filling due to the lack of fiber, making it easier to consume excess calories or compounds.
Kidney Health	Moderate consumption is safe for most, though individuals with kidney disease should monitor potassium intake.	Not recommended for those with kidney disease due to the potential for dangerously high potassium concentrations.

Conclusion

While a delicious and nutritious food for many, celery is not a one-size-fits-all vegetable. Potential for allergies, drug interactions, and specific health concerns means that not everyone can safely enjoy it. Individuals with celery allergies, particularly those with a history of anaphylaxis, must avoid all forms of celery and check labels for hidden ingredients. Pregnant women must be cautious with celery supplements and consult their doctor about consumption. People with kidney disease, IBS, or those on certain medications should exercise caution and seek professional medical advice before integrating celery into their diet. For the majority of healthy individuals, celery remains a beneficial addition to a balanced diet, but an informed approach is always the safest path. Consulting a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian is the best course of action if there are any doubts about celery's safety for your specific health situation.

Disclaimer: This article offers general information and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making dietary changes, especially if you have a medical condition or are on medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

For those with pollen food syndrome, cooking can often break down the allergenic proteins, making celery safe to eat. However, those with more severe allergies or different types of celery allergies may still react to cooked versions and should consult an allergist.

Yes, celery contains vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. Consuming large amounts of celery, particularly celery root, can interfere with blood-thinning medications and increase the risk of bleeding.

No, celery juice is not universally safe, especially for individuals with kidney disease or those on a low-FODMAP diet for IBS. The concentration of certain compounds and lack of fiber can cause problems for these groups.

Yes. Celery contains compounds called psoralens that increase sensitivity to sunlight. This can cause phytophotodermatitis, a skin reaction involving rashes or blisters after exposure to both celery and sun.

Celery often appears on the EWG's 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce with high pesticide residues due to its porous nature. Thoroughly washing celery can help reduce the amount of pesticide residue consumed.

Pregnant women should avoid celery seed, oil, or extracts in medicinal amounts as they can cause uterine contractions. Moderate consumption of properly washed celery stalks in food is generally considered safe but should be discussed with a doctor.

Yes. Due to its very low-calorie content, relying heavily on celery for sustenance can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, high fiber intake, especially when rapidly increased, can cause digestive upset like gas and bloating.