If you have any type of social media account, chances are you’ve seen someone post about celery juice in recent months. Celery sounds healthy, but does it really taste good? Are the health benefits legitimate? Is drinking the juice sustainable in the long-term? While this green juice might be aesthetically pleasing on your Instagram feed, check out the benefits and concerns we found below.
Benefits of Celery Juice
Reduces Blood Pressure
Research shows that phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant chemicals) can help reduce blood pressure as well as inflammation. Celery contains a phytochemical by the name of “phthalides”. In the form of an extract, its’ called NBP and can relax the tissues of the artery walls which therefore increases blood flow to reduce blood pressure. However, celery alone won’t fully bring down your blood pressure.
Helps with Bloating
Many people have seen that celery juice helps with digestion. This primarily happens because of how hydrating celery is. There isn’t significant clinical research on this benefit, but celery juice does stimulate the production of stomach acid. This stomach acid eases uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and indigestion. Some rodent studies have suggested that celery can protect the stomach from ulcers and the progression of some cancers as well.
No Fructose
Many people have problems with juicing overall because most fruit contains fructose, which will spike your blood sugar. However, celery juice doesn’t contain fructose, which eliminates any potential harm to your blood sugar. In addition, the plant’s isolated nutrients work in conjunction with other compounds to elevate overall health.
Celery Juice Concerns
No fiber
When celery is juiced, the fiber is removed. Fiber is critical to help food move through your system and it also helps feed the good bacteria in your gut. For this reason alone, eating the whole vegetable might be better than juicing it.
Check Your Sources
While we love this trend because of its healthy vibes, always make sure you do a little research before trying an Instagram health trend. Celery juice has many benefits, but remember juicing isn’t for everyone. Also if you’re taking medications, you might not want to try out celery juice. It’s well-known that orange juice, apple juice, and grapefruit juice can dull some medications. Better to be safe than sorry!
Juicing isn’t always best
Despite how good this green drink appears, research has confirmed that eating the vegetable whole is much better for your health. Four stalks can provide fiber, magnesium, and potassium daily. If you aren’t a fan of the watery taste, the traditional “ants on a log” snack of celery filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins could be a great alternative that tastes delicious.
