Celery Seed
Celery seed is the tiny, intensely flavored fruit of Apium graveolens, an extraordinarily calcium- and iron-rich spice traditionally used for gout and hypertension via blood-pressure-lowering phthalides.
Nutrition · per ~2 g serving · ≈ a pinch
- Vitamin B60.02 mg1% DV
- Thiamin0.01 mg<1% DV
- Riboflavin0.01 mg<1% DV
- Niacin0.06 mg<1% DV
- Vitamin C0.34 mg<1% DV
- Folate0.20 mcg<1% DV
- Vitamin A1.0 iu<1% DV
- Manganese0.15 mg7% DV
- Iron0.90 mg5% DV
- Copper0.03 mg3% DV
- Calcium35.3 mg3% DV
- Magnesium8.8 mg2% DV
- Zinc0.14 mg1% DV
- Phosphorus10.9 mg<1% DV
- Potassium28.0 mg<1% DV
- Selenium0.24 mcg<1% DV
- Sodium3.2 mg<1% DV
- Polyphenols~3.0 mg
Score · 97/100
Vitamins & minerals packed in relative to calories — the single biggest driver of the score.
How much protein it delivers, by absolute grams and per calorie.
Dietary fiber for gut health, satiety and steadier blood sugar.
Fat quality — unsaturated vs saturated, and trans-fat free.
Polyphenols, flavonoids and other beneficial plant compounds for this food group.
Low sugar with a high fiber-to-carb ratio scores best — gentler on blood sugar.
- Manganese329% DV
- Iron249% DV
- Copper152% DV
- Calcium136% DV
- Magnesium105% DV
Overview
Celery seed (Apium graveolens) is the minuscule, dark-brown fruit of a wild seed-bearing variety of the same species as stalk celery. Each seed is barely larger than a grain of sand yet carries an intense, concentrated celery flavor with a warm, slightly bitter edge from phthalides such as 3-n-butylphthalide. It is among the most mineral-dense spices known, supplying about 1767mg of calcium, 44.9mg of iron, 440mg of magnesium, and 7.6mg of manganese per 100g, with naturally elevated sodium for a seed. The spice is best known in celery salt, the classic seasoning for a Bloody Mary and Chicago-style hot dog, and in pickling brines, coleslaw, and dry rubs. Celery seed has a long folk-medicine record for gout, arthritis, and high blood pressure: its phthalides relax vascular smooth muscle with blood-pressure-lowering and vasorelaxant effects in animal and small human studies, while its mild diuretic action and the antioxidant flavone apigenin support traditional uses for fluid retention and inflammation. Because celery is a common allergen, sensitive individuals should use caution. For longevity-focused cooking, celery seed concentrates celery's flavor and an exceptional mineral load into a tiny, potent seed.
Health Benefits (4)
- Supports healthy blood pressureemergingPhthalides, notably 3-n-butylphthalide, relax vascular smooth muscle, producing vasorelaxant and blood-pressure-lowering effects in animal and small human studies
- Provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activitymoderateThe flavones apigenin and luteolin scavenge free radicals and inhibit inflammatory signaling, the basis for traditional use in gout and arthritis
- Acts as a mild diureticemergingCelery seed compounds promote modest fluid excretion, underlying its folk use for water retention
- Delivers exceptional calcium, iron, and manganesestrongAmong the most mineral-dense spices, supplying calcium (1767mg), iron (44.9mg), and manganese (7.6mg) per 100g for bone health and oxygen transport
Food Pairings
- ·Blend with salt to make celery salt for tomato-based drinks, hot dogs, and seafood boils
- ·Pair with vitamin C-rich tomato and citrus because ascorbate enhances absorption of celery seed's abundant non-heme iron
- ·Use in vinegar-based pickling brines and coleslaw because acidity carries and brightens its concentrated celery flavor
- ·Combine with cabbage and potato because the warm, savory seed deepens vegetable dishes when fresh celery is unavailable
Practical Tips
- ·Use celery seed sparingly; it is potent and turns bitter if overused
- ·Make fresh celery salt by grinding the seeds with coarse salt for a brighter flavor than store-bought
- ·Note that celery is a common allergen and the seed can be photosensitizing in very large amounts
- ·Buy whole seeds; they retain their potent oils for 3-4 years versus much less for ground celery seed
- ·Store in an airtight container away from heat, light, and moisture to prevent clumping
Optimal Timing
Celery seed is a seasoning with no circadian dependency; its minerals and bioactives benefit any meal it flavors.
Used by the pinch it adds negligible calories and does not break a fast.
Systems supported
body systems this food feedsPathways supported
biochemical reactions enabled by this foodCompared to other herbs & spices
Per 100 g of the default form. Bars show how much higher or lower celery seed is than the average across 76 peer foods in this category. Green means a favorable direction; amber means the opposite.
What people ask about celery seed
What is celery seed?
Celery Seed is classified as a herbs & spices. Celery seed is the tiny, intensely flavored fruit of Apium graveolens, an extraordinarily calcium- and iron-rich spice traditionally used for gout and hypertension via blood-pressure-lowering phthalides.
Is celery seed healthy?
Celery Seed scores 97/100 in Formulate, making it an exceptional choice. Its strongest contributions come from Manganese, Iron, Copper. The score blends nutrient density, fiber, healthy fats, protein quality, bioactive compounds, and glycemic impact.
Is celery seed high in protein?
Not particularly. A 2 g serving provides about 0.4 g of protein (~1% of the 50 g daily value).
Is celery seed high in fiber?
Not really. A 2 g serving provides about 0.2 g of fiber (~1% of the 28 g daily value).
Is celery seed keto-friendly?
Yes — it fits comfortably in most keto plans. A 2 g serving has about 0.6 g of net carbs (0.8 g total minus 0.2 g fiber).
When is the best time to eat celery seed?
Best any time of day. Celery seed is a seasoning with no circadian dependency; its minerals and bioactives benefit any meal it flavors.
How much celery seed should I eat?
A typical serving is around 2 g (~8 kcal), based on the FDA's Reference Amount Customarily Consumed for this food category. There's no fixed daily target — most adults benefit from rotating celery seed alongside several other herbs & spices sources.
What pairs well with celery seed?
Celery Seed pairs nicely with: Blend with salt to make celery salt for tomato-based drinks, hot dogs, and seafood boils; Pair with vitamin C-rich tomato and citrus because ascorbate enhances absorption of celery seed's abundant non-heme iron; Use in vinegar-based pickling brines and coleslaw because acidity carries and brightens its concentrated celery flavor; Combine with cabbage and potato because the warm, savory seed deepens vegetable dishes when fresh celery is unavailable.
Supplements that mirror Celery Seed's nutrient profile
Encyclopedia entries that supply the same signature nutrients celery seed contributes. Click through to see clinical dose ranges, evidence quality, and bioavailable forms.
Signature nutrients in Celery Seed
These are the nutrients celery seedcontributes meaningfully toward (≥10% DV per 100 g serving). Click one to see what it does in the body, which supplements concentrate it, and which other foods are top sources.