Why Does Celery Numb My Tongue?
It's not unusual to feel a tingling, numbing, or even slight burning sensation in your mouth after eating raw celery. This reaction is harmless for most people, but understanding what causes it can help you decide if you want to continue eating celery or not.
The Culprit Behind the Numbness
The tongue-numbing sensation is caused by a group of phytochemical compounds found naturally in celery called polyacetylenes. The most researched of these is falcarinol, which has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer properties in studies.
Falcarinol protects the celery plant from fungi and bacteria. When consumed by humans though, falcarinol interacts with receptors in our taste buds, fat cells, and paneth cells to produce the odd mouth-feel.
A Protective Mechanism
The numbness caused by falcarinol serves an evolutionary purpose - to warn us that the plant may be toxic if consumed in large quantities. So in small doses, it causes mild irritation or prickling instead of actual harm.
For most people, eating moderate amounts of raw celery is not dangerous and any sensations in the mouth quickly disappear. But a small percentage of people experience more bothersome or lasting numbness and oral allergy symptoms from celery and related plants.
Other Plants Can Cause Reactions Too
In addition to celery, parsley, parsnip, carrot, fennel and other plants in the carrot/parsley family contain falcarinol and related protective phytochemicals. If you react to celery, you may also find these foods cause similar tongue or mouth irritation when eating them raw.
An allergy to birch pollen may also increase odds of a sensitivity to celery due to similar proteins in both.
For Most It's a Harmless Reaction
For the majority of people, the prickly irritation celery causes is a curiosity rather than a problem. The numbness is temporary, lasting for 10-20 minutes up to around an hour at most.
Rinsing off celery before eating, cutting into smaller pieces, cooking celery thoroughly, or juicing and mixing celery into smoothies are simple ways to reduce mouth irritation if desired.
When to Be Concerned
Though rare, some people do have severe allergic reactions to celery that can include:
- Significant swelling of lips, tongue and throat
- Hives, rash or flushed skin
- Diminished blood pressure
- Breathing difficulties
If you experience any concerning symptoms, especially that impact breathing or blood pressure, seek emergency care immediately.
Who Might Need to Avoid Celery?
While harmless for most of us, there are some groups of people who may be better off avoiding celery and related plants:
- Those with existing allergies to birch pollen, carrots, parsley or related plants
- People who experience oral allergy symptoms like itching, swelling or irritation beyond just numbness
- Those taking certain medications that increase sun sensitivity like some blood pressure medications, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and more
If you fall into any of the above higher risk groups, discuss with your doctor before adding celery to your diet - especially in juice form.
The Issue With Juicing Celery
Eating whole, raw celery allows us to naturally gauge if we might be sensitive based on how our mouth reacts with the first small bite. It also contains fiber that slows down absorption of falcarinol and other compounds.
Juicing concentrates all the phytochemicals in celery along with the falcarinol while removing this beneficial fiber. What might be an moderate, tolerable amount eaten whole can overwhelm the system in juice form - especially for those with an existing sensitivity.
Other Side Effects of Celery Juice
Along with increased risk of mouth and digestion issues, celery juice trends have led to other concerns including:
- Celery is naturally high in sodium, and juicing further concentrates this
- Frequent diarrhea, gas or bloating from the high fiber content
- Toxicity issues in certain medications when consumed in excess
- Pesticide exposure if consuming celery juice made from conventionally farmed celery
If you have no negative reaction to moderate whole raw celery sticks, that remains the safest way to consume it over juicing. Or explore other vegetable juice options without the same phytochemical content like cucumber, lettuce, kale or spinach instead.
The Takeaway
Tingling or numbness in the mouth after eating celery is harmless for most people and quickly fades. A compound called falcarinol protects the plant but interacts with receptors in our mouth. For a small percentage with specific allergies or sensitivities though, celery can cause more bothersome symptoms and may need to be avoided entirely - especially in concentrated juice form.
Let me know if you need any adjustments or have additional questions!FAQs
Why does celery make my mouth numb?
A compound called falcarinol found naturally in celery interacts with receptors in the mouth and causes a harmless but odd tingling, numbing sensation. It serves as a defense mechanism in the plant.
Is it dangerous if celery numbs my mouth?
For most people, the prickling feeling celery causes is not dangerous and quickly fades after eating. But those with specific celery allergies can have severe reactions and should avoid it.
Should I avoid juicing celery then?
Juicing concentrates the falcarinol, removing beneficial fiber that would naturally slow its absorption eaten whole. This can increase numbing and irritation for those sensitive. Moderate celery sticks tend to be tolerated better.
What other foods might also make my mouth numb?
Parsley, parsnip, carrot, fennel and other related plants contain similar compounds to celery. If you react to celery, you may also find the raw forms of these veggies cause mouth tingling too.
How can I reduce the numbness when eating celery?
Rinsing celery before eating, cutting it into smaller pieces, cooking thoroughly, or mixing into smoothies can help minimize irritation. Reactions also often decrease over time with continued exposure.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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