Burning calories through celery consumption: A fact or myth?
In the world of dieting and weight loss, the concept of negative-calorie foods has gained popularity. One such food often cited is celery, a low-calorie vegetable frequently found in salads and snacks. However, a closer look at the facts reveals that celery, while very low in calories, does not offer a negative calorie count.
A medium celery stalk typically contains between **6 to 10 calories**[2][5], depending on its size and exact measurement. This is a common misconception stemming from the belief that the body uses more energy to digest celery than it provides. While it is true that chewing and digesting a stick of celery requires about half a calorie[5], the net calories consumed are still close to this range, not negative.
The idea of celery being a negative-calorie food is mostly a myth. Although celery is very low in calories, it still provides a small net calorie intake rather than a negative one[2]. This misconception may have arisen due to the high water and fiber content of celery, which contribute to feelings of fullness and have additional health benefits beyond calorie content[5].
It's essential to understand that a diet consisting solely of celery, while it may provide fewer calories, will still result in starvation, albeit more slowly than not eating at all. The body requires a balanced diet to meet its nutritional needs and maintain good health.
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[2] Source: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2016 [5] Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28
Science has debunked the myth that celery, a low-calorie food often associated with health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, has a negative calorie count. In reality, a medium celery stalk typically contains between 6 to 10 calories, providing a small net calorie intake rather than a negative one, as nutrition experts affirm.
