Medications with Potential Celery Interactions
When consumed in medicinal quantities, such as with concentrated celery seed extracts or large amounts of celery juice, celery can interfere with several medications. This is not a concern for typical food consumption but is a critical safety issue for those taking certain prescription drugs. Always consult a healthcare provider before adding concentrated celery products to your regimen, especially if you are on medication.
Medications Interacting with Celery
- Lithium: Celery has a diuretic effect that can decrease the body's ability to excrete lithium, leading to dangerously high lithium levels and severe side effects.
- Blood-clotting medications: Medicinal amounts of celery root or seed may slow blood clotting. Combining it with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin (Coumadin) can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Medications that increase sun sensitivity: Certain drugs can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. The psoralens in celery can also cause sun sensitivity (phytophotodermatitis), and using both together can amplify the risk of sunburn, blistering, or rashes.
- Thyroid medications: Taking celery seed alongside thyroid medications such as levothyroxine might reduce the medication's effectiveness.
- High blood pressure medications: Celery seed extract can lower blood pressure. When combined with other antihypertensive drugs, this can cause blood pressure to drop too low.
- Sedatives: Celery can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking it with other sedatives might lead to excessive drowsiness and impaired function.
Celery Allergies and Cross-Reactivity
Celery is one of the 14 major allergens requiring declaration on food packaging in many regions, including the UK. For some individuals, consuming celery can trigger allergic reactions ranging from mild oral itching to severe anaphylaxis.
Individuals at Risk for Celery Allergy:
- Pollen Allergy Sufferers: People with allergies to birch and mugwort pollen are often sensitive to celery due to a condition called Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS).
- Cross-Reactive Sensitivities: Those sensitive to other plants and spices in the Apiaceae family, such as wild carrot, caraway, fennel, coriander, and parsley, may also react to celery.
Celery During Pregnancy and Specific Health Conditions
While food amounts of celery are generally safe, medicinal quantities should be avoided by certain individuals with specific health concerns.
High-Risk Situations and Conditions:
- Pregnancy: Celery seed or oil in medicinal quantities is considered unsafe during pregnancy as large amounts might cause the uterus to contract, posing a miscarriage risk.
- Bleeding Disorders: Due to its potential to slow blood clotting in medicinal amounts, celery root should be avoided by individuals with bleeding disorders.
- Kidney Problems: High doses of celery can potentially cause kidney inflammation and should be avoided by those with kidney problems.
- Surgery: Because celery can affect the central nervous system, it's advised to stop consuming it at least two weeks before scheduled surgery to avoid adverse interactions with anesthesia.
Comparison of Safe vs. Problematic Celery Intake
| Feature | Common Dietary Celery (e.g., salads, soup bases) | Medicinal Celery (e.g., concentrated juices, large amounts of root/seeds) |
|---|---|---|
| Risks | Low risk for most people; potential for allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. | High risk for specific groups, including pregnant women and those on certain medications. |
| Quantity | Small to moderate amounts, typically a few stalks or a handful of leaves. | Large, concentrated quantities far exceeding typical food intake. |
| Preparation | Consumed raw, cooked, or in juice blended with other ingredients. | Concentrated forms like seeds, extracts, or dedicated single-ingredient juices. |
| Effect | Provides nutrients like vitamin K and fiber. | Can cause drug interactions, allergic reactions, and health complications. |
| Verdict | Safe for the general population. | Should be used with caution and medical consultation. |
Cooking Considerations and Misconceptions
In most recipes, celery is a safe and compatible ingredient. It is a cornerstone of a French mirepoix (with onions and carrots) and Cajun cooking's "holy trinity" (with bell peppers and onions). Pairing it with ingredients like peanut butter, hummus, tuna, and chicken salad poses no danger. The idea that celery should not be mixed with anything, as promoted by some juice fads, is largely unfounded for typical dietary consumption and is based on non-scientific claims about 'neutralizing' properties. Cooking celery can also help minimize the effect of some allergens for sensitive individuals.
Conclusion
While the crisp stalks of celery are a safe and healthy addition to most diets, certain individuals and situations require caution regarding what to not mix with celery. The primary concerns are not with food pairings in the traditional sense, but rather with interactions concerning specific medications, pre-existing health conditions, and allergies. Avoid medicinal amounts of celery if you are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, or take medications like lithium, levothyroxine, or sedatives. People with pollen allergies or cross-reactive sensitivities should be vigilant for allergic reactions. For the general population, however, celery remains a safe and valuable culinary and nutritional ingredient that pairs well with many foods.
