Celery Juice and Fatty Liver: What the Evidence Shows

Celery juice and fatty liver disease is a topic that has gained significant traction on social media, with bold claims about detoxifying the liver and reversing fat accumulation. However, the scientific reality is more nuanced. While celery contains compounds such as apigenin and luteolin that have shown promise in laboratory settings, no robust clinical trials in humans support celery juice as a treatment for fatty liver disease. This article examines what the evidence actually shows, what the NHS recommends for managing fatty liver, and which dietary changes have the strongest evidence base.

Can celery juice actually help with fatty liver disease?

There is no robust clinical evidence that celery juice can treat or reverse fatty liver disease; UK bodies such as NICE and the NHS do not endorse it, and it should not replace evidence-based treatment.

There is currently no robust clinical evidence that celery juice can treat, reverse or meaningfully improve fatty liver disease in humans. Celery juice has attracted considerable attention on social media, with proponents claiming it can detoxify the liver and reduce inflammation, but these claims are not supported by peer-reviewed clinical trials or endorsed by UK health bodies such as NICE or the NHS.

Celery (Apium graveolens) does contain compounds of biological interest, including flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin, as well as antioxidants and dietary nitrates.^[4][5] Some laboratory and animal studies have explored whether these compounds might reduce oxidative stress or liver fat accumulation. However, findings from cell cultures and rodent models do not reliably translate to human outcomes, and no large-scale human trials have confirmed a therapeutic benefit for fatty liver disease specifically.

It is important to approach celery juice as a food rather than a medicine. Drinking it as part of a varied, balanced diet is unlikely to cause harm for most people, but it should not replace evidence-based treatments or lifestyle changes recommended by a healthcare professional. Anyone who has been diagnosed with fatty liver disease, whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD, also referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease or MASLD in some current guidelines) or alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD), should follow guidance from their GP or specialist rather than relying on dietary supplements or trending food remedies.

What does the evidence say about celery and liver health?

Evidence on celery and liver health is largely preclinical, from animal and laboratory studies; no UK clinical guideline recommends celery juice as a treatment or adjunct therapy for fatty liver disease.

The available evidence on celery and liver health is largely preclinical, meaning it comes from laboratory studies and animal experiments rather than human clinical trials. Several studies conducted in rodents have found that celery seed extract or celery-derived compounds reduced markers of liver injury and fat accumulation in animals fed high-fat diets. These findings are scientifically interesting but cannot be directly applied to human health recommendations.

The flavonoid apigenin, found in celery, has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some researchers have proposed that it may help reduce hepatic lipid accumulation by influencing fat metabolism pathways. Similarly, luteolin has shown hepatoprotective effects in animal models.^[5][6] However, the concentrations used in these studies are typically far higher than those likely to be achieved through drinking celery juice in ordinary quantities, and the bioavailability of these compounds in humans is not well established.

A small number of observational studies in humans have suggested that diets rich in vegetables, including those containing flavonoids, are associated with lower rates of liver disease. However, these studies examine overall dietary patterns rather than celery juice in isolation, making it impossible to attribute any benefit to celery specifically. At present, no UK clinical guideline, including those from NICE (NG49) or the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), recommends celery juice as a treatment or adjunct therapy for fatty liver disease.^[1] The evidence base remains insufficient to support specific clinical recommendations.

How does fatty liver develop and what does the NHS recommend?

Fatty liver develops when excess fat accumulates in liver cells, and the NHS recommends lifestyle changes including weight loss, a balanced diet, increased physical activity and reduced alcohol intake as the primary management strategy.

Fatty liver disease develops when excess fat accumulates in liver cells, impairing normal liver function over time. The two main types in the UK are NAFLD (also increasingly termed MASLD), which is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and insulin resistance, and ARLD, caused by prolonged excessive alcohol consumption. NAFLD is now one of the most common liver conditions in the UK, affecting an estimated one in three adults to some degree, according to the British Liver Trust.^[7]

The NHS recommends a structured approach to managing NAFLD that centres on lifestyle modification. Key recommendations include:

• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, with evidence from NICE NG49 supporting a target of losing 7 to 10 per cent of body weight if overweight or obese, as this has been shown to reduce liver fat and inflammation^[1][2]

• Following a balanced diet low in saturated fat, refined sugars and ultra-processed foods

• Increasing physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, in line with UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines^[11]

• Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake; for people with ARLD, complete abstinence from alcohol is recommended

• Managing associated conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia through appropriate medical treatment

There is currently no licensed medication specifically for NAFLD or MASLD in the UK, though research into pharmacological treatments is ongoing and the position should be confirmed with your GP or pharmacist at the time of reading. NICE guidance (NG49) recommends that people with NAFLD are assessed for the degree of liver fibrosis using validated tools such as the FIB-4 index or the NAFLD Fibrosis Score in primary care.^[1] Depending on the result, further assessment with enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) testing or transient elastography (FibroScan) may be arranged, and those with significant fibrosis are referred to hepatology. Anyone concerned about their liver health should speak to their GP in the first instance.

If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms, seek urgent medical attention by calling NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999: yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), vomiting blood or passing black tarry stools, sudden confusion or difficulty thinking clearly, or rapidly increasing swelling of the abdomen. These may indicate serious liver complications requiring prompt assessment.

Are there any risks or side effects of drinking celery juice daily?

Celery juice is generally well tolerated but carries risks including allergic reactions, increased photosensitivity from psoralens, higher sodium content and a potential interaction with warfarin due to its vitamin K content.

Drinking celery juice daily is generally well tolerated by most healthy adults, but there are several considerations worth being aware of before making it a regular habit. Celery contains naturally occurring compounds called psoralens, which can increase sensitivity to ultraviolet light in some individuals, potentially raising the risk of sunburn or skin reactions with prolonged sun exposure.^[8][9] This effect is more commonly associated with handling large quantities of celery rather than drinking moderate amounts of juice, but it is worth noting.

Celery is a recognised allergen listed under UK food labelling regulations (the Food Standards Agency lists celery as one of the 14 major allergens). People with a known allergy to celery, or related plants in the Apiaceae family such as coriander, fennel or carrot, should avoid celery juice entirely, as reactions can range from mild oral allergy syndrome to more serious systemic responses. Anyone who experiences swelling, hives, difficulty breathing or other allergic symptoms after consuming celery should contact NHS 111 for urgent advice, or call 999 if symptoms are severe.

Celery juice contains a notable amount of sodium compared with many other vegetable juices, which may be relevant for people managing hypertension or kidney disease. It also contains vitamin K, which can interact with the anticoagulant medicine warfarin by affecting how the drug controls blood clotting.^[17] People taking warfarin should speak to their GP or anticoagulant clinic before significantly increasing their intake of celery juice. If you take other medicines and are unsure whether dietary changes could affect them, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.

Suspected adverse reactions to foods or supplements can be reported to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk), which accepts reports from both patients and healthcare professionals. Drinking celery juice in moderate quantities as part of a varied diet is unlikely to cause harm for most people, but it should not be viewed as a therapeutic intervention.

What dietary changes are most effective for fatty liver in the UK?

The Mediterranean dietary pattern has the strongest evidence for liver health, with key changes including reducing added sugars and saturated fat, increasing fibre and avoiding alcohol, ideally guided by a GP or registered dietitian.

The most effective dietary approach for fatty liver disease, particularly NAFLD, is a sustained reduction in overall calorie intake combined with a shift towards a whole-food, plant-forward diet. Evidence reviewed by NICE, the BSG and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) consistently supports the Mediterranean dietary pattern as one of the most beneficial for liver health. This approach emphasises vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, oily fish, olive oil and nuts, while limiting red and processed meat, refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

Specific dietary changes with the strongest evidence base include:

• Reducing fructose and added sugar intake, particularly from sugar-sweetened drinks and ultra-processed foods, as excess fructose is directly metabolised in the liver and contributes to fat accumulation (supported by the SACN Carbohydrates and Health report)^[16]

• Limiting saturated fat, found in fatty meat, full-fat dairy and processed snacks, and replacing it with unsaturated fats from sources such as olive oil, avocado and oily fish

• Increasing dietary fibre from vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and pulses, which supports gut health and may reduce hepatic fat

• Avoiding or significantly reducing alcohol; for those with ARLD, complete abstinence is recommended, and even for those with NAFLD, alcohol places additional strain on a liver already under metabolic stress

• Eating regular, balanced meals to support stable blood glucose and insulin levels, which is particularly important for those with coexisting type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance

For people seeking support with weight management as part of their liver health journey, a structured clinical assessment is the appropriate starting point. NHS referral to a tier 3 weight management service or a specialist dietitian is one route; eligibility and access depend on local Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioning and individual clinical criteria, so your GP can advise on what is available in your area. Bolt Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered UK online pharmacy offering online weight-management consultations, with prescriber review and pharmacist support, as another option to explore. Any dietary plan for fatty liver disease should ideally be developed in collaboration with a GP or registered dietitian who can tailor advice to individual health needs and monitor progress over time.

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