CELERY JUICE: HEALTHY OR HYPE?

Can drinking this bright green juice really give your body a healthy boost?

Perhaps you’ve seen #celeryjuice across Instagram.

Or maybe you heard about the #CeleryJuiceChallenge started by New York Times best-selling author Anthony William, who challenged people to drink celery juice daily for a week in December.

It seems the bright green juice is grabbing attention online and off, but is it really healthy or just a hype?

“It is a trend, and it’s healthy, but it’s not a miracle cure and there is no scientific fact that it is overall better than juicing other vegetables,”

How nutritious is celery really?

Celery has been shown to contain a variety of vitamins, minerals and trace elements such as: vitamins K and C, some B vitamins, beta-carotene, which are converted into Vitamin A in the body, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese potassium and phosphorus. So it’s safe to say: celery itself is pretty healthy and has a great nutrient content.

Health benefits of celery?

There have been various studies on the benefits of celery, however, some have looked at whole celery sticks and some at celery seeds and only some at celery juice. Along with the blood pressure, celery can have a positive effect on water retention since celery contains about 80% of water hence being very hydrating and therefore good for water retention.
The traditional Chinese medicine uses celery juice for high blood pressure treatments and even Ayurveda uses it to heal digestive and neurological issues.

But in the other hand:

Juicing extracts the fiber in the celery and when the fiber is removed, that can trigger a more rapid blood sugar response. Not to mention that you’ll be missing out on all the other health benefits of fiber. Many foods contain nutrients in the peel, pulp, and other components that are lost when they’re converted to juice form.

Fiber in your diet not only keeps your digestive system functioning smoothly, but can also help with:

• feeling full
• sparking weight loss
• balancing your blood sugar levels
• maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
• feeding the good bacteria in your gut and boosting your immune system
• helping reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes

Is it healthy to join the trend?

There’s nothing wrong with drinking celery juice if you enjoy it. However, the nutritional properties of the juice are not unique and the same benefits can be found from eating celery along with other leafy green vegetables. If you enjoy the trend, feel free to stick with it. But otherwise, just aim to add more greens in any form to your plate.

Just because someone has a million followers [on social media] doesn’t mean that they have any knowledge at all. If you’re taking medications, be sure that you’re not juicing a fruit or vegetable that could interfere with the medicine. Grapefruit juice is known to dull some medications and celery juice can also do that.

The bottom line:

My professional opinion is that you do not need to drink celery juice if you do not like it. It will, however, clearly not hurt to try it out IF you don’t skip any meals throughout the day, eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, some fruit and lots of fiber, (plant-based) protein and fat. Drinking celery juice is not a dangerous trend. There have been several studies that show that the compounds found in celery are highly nutritious and that eating or drinking celery juice can be beneficial for all sorts of health issues. It will be interesting to see what science will find in the future.

Drinking celery juice will probably continue to be popular in the health world, just because it is kind of fun. And I have actually come quite accustomed to the taste. BUT just because I am doing something does not mean that you have to. Please always keep that in mind. We are all different and there is not one size fits all approach in health.

Celery Juice Tips

• Every morning, drink roughly sixteen ounces of celery juice on an empty stomach. Make sure it’s fresh, plain celery juice with no other ingredients. It takes roughly one large bunch of celery to make sixteen ounces of juice. Celery juice is a medicinal drink, not a caloric one, so you’ll still need breakfast afterward to power you through the morning. Simply wait at least fifteen minutes after drinking your celery juice before consuming anything else.
• For even greater benefits or if you suffer from a chronic illness or symptom, consider drinking twenty-four to thirty-two ounces of straight celery juice per day. You can drink it all at once in the morning on an empty stomach or split it into two servings as directed below.
• If you’re unable to consume your celery juice first thing in the morning before food, then the second-best option is to drink it fifteen to thirty minutes before or after eating something anytime during the day. If you’re having thirty-two ounces a day, you may wish to have it in two sixteen-ounce servings. You can drink the first in the morning on an empty stomach before eating and the second in the late afternoon or early evening, at least fifteen to thirty minutes before eating your next meal.
• If you’re sensitive and sixteen ounces is too much, start with a smaller amount, such as two to eight ounces, and increase how much you consume over time. If you’re too sensitive for two ounces, you can try sixteen ounces of straight cucumber juice instead for now. Cucumber juice is very gentle, and you can try celery juice again once you’ve been drinking cucumber juice for a while.
• Use organic celery whenever possible. If you’re using conventional celery, be sure to wash it especially well before juicing.
• It is best to make celery juice fresh and then drink it immediately. If you’re unable to make your celery juice right before you want to drink it, it’s important to drink it within twenty-four hours of making it. The best way to store the juice is in a glass mason jar with a lid and keep it in the fridge. If you wish, you can also freeze celery juice and drink it as it defrosts. However, I believe the powerful medicinal properties of celery juice will decrease when it’s frozen, so it’s best to drink it fresh whenever possible.
• If your mornings are busy, you can save time by rinsing the celery and chopping it (if needed) the night before so it’s ready for you to juice in the morning.
• If you find the taste of straight celery juice too strong, you can juice one cucumber and/or one apple with the celery. This is a great option as you get adjusted to the flavor. As you get used to it, keep increasing the ratio of celery; I belive the greatest benefits come when celery juice is consumed on its own. This also means leaving out any lemon, lime, ice, or other added ingredients, all of which change the pure celery juice’s healing benefits. For the best results, think: straight celery. Also, if you find the juice bitter, it may be because of the celery leaves. Some people prefer to leave them on while others prefer to remove them. Both options are great; it’s an individual choice.
• Some people may experience a change in their bowel movements when starting to consume celery juice. This is a normal reaction that some individuals may experience. The loose stools will pass as your body heals, and you may notice your bowel movements become more regular and healthier than ever.

Love and health,

Mariana