Celery Juice Benefits – The new “it” vegetable
Every time I open up my IG stories lately I see someone talking about celery juice. I get it. You’re healthy. TBH, I’m not a celery person usually. Unless it’s drenched in ranch dressing or topped with mounds of peanut butter.
Celery has never really been one of the most popular vegetables in my book. It’s definitely no avocado. You can’t whip it up and put it on toast and charge $15. So why is everyone suddenly jumping on the celery train? What’s the big deal and should you try it?
Celery, specifically celery juice is legitimately a “thing”. Yes, a bunch of celebs and influencers are hyping it up, but for good reason.
People are now drinking celery juice every morning, and the supposed benefits include lowered blood pressure, improved gut health and anti inflammatory properties – so what’s the verdict?
Celery Juice Benefits
So this isn’t just a thing models are talking about. But there are a ton of doctors who support drinking celery juice and tests that have been done on mice. Just to clarify, drinking celery juice is not proven to cure or treat any ailment. BUT, that doesn’t mean there aren’t potential benefits.
Celery Juice Can Help Stomach Inflammation
As many of you guys know, I stick to primarily an anti-inflammatory diet. And… fun fact, celery juice can help with stomach inflammation! Celery contains a bioactive compound called apigenin. Apigenin can help with stomach inflammation. I highly recommend checking out the book “Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How the Body Can Heal Itself” to learn more about apigenins and how diet can affect your health and well being.
Celery Juice May Reduce Cancer Growth
In studies on mice, that same compound, apigen, was also shown to reduce the growth of breast cancer.
Luteolin, another natural chemical found in celery, can also stop/slow down the growth of prostate cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells help make more cancer cells, so stopping them and slowing them down is a goal in cancer research.
These studies were don’t on animals, so it’s not 100% proof that it’s relevant for humans. But it’s a great way to provide insight on the useful properties in celery.
Celery Juice May Reduce Blood Pressure
Just because it’s a fairly new concept doesn’t mean there aren’t studies looking at the benefits of celery. A 2013 study showed that people with mild to moderately elevated blood pressure were able to lower their blood pressure by taking celery seed extract. Researchers believe this benefit is due to a chemical compound called butylphthalide, which some studies believe may keep your brain healthy and reduce risk of stroke.
Celery Juice Helps Liver Function
Celery juice can also increase and strengthen our bile (gross word I know). Strong bile is important for breaking down fats and is also needed to kill off pathogens that have made their way into your body. Bile also helps restore the central nervous system and remove old toxins and poisons from the liver This includes toxic heavy metals and toxic chemicals, like pesticides, air fresheners, detergents, petrochemicals, and preservatives. If you’re looking to learn more about “liver troublemakers” check out the book Liver Rescue. Liver troublemakers are specific chemicals, pollutants, pathogens, foods, etc that contribute to a sluggish liver, causing a wide range of health problems that can result in chronic illness.
Other Potential Health Benefits
Celery is packed with fiber, magnesium, and potassium, which are important for regularity, bone and heart health. Since celery is mostly water, it’s a great way to stay hydrated. One added bonus of staying hydrated is that it can help clear up acne prone skin. Since celery is low in calories, it can also be good for those trying to lose weight.
What Is Celery Juicing
So we all know how to eat celery. But what exactly does juicing celery entail?
When celery is juiced, the pulp (aka the fiver) is removed. This makes the healing benefits more powerful. You can also consume a lot more in a smaller portion because it’s condensed.
Most studies recommend drinking celery juice in the morning on an empty stomach. Drinking juice on an empty stomach has been shown to improve its benefits.
You can make celery juice using either a juicer or a blender. I prefer using a juicing because it doesn’t involve straining. But if you don’t own a juicer and aren’t ready to buy one, a blender works as well.
I bought this juicer because it’s significantly cheaper than other juicers and has still has really good reviews. It’s pretty easy to clean and many of the parts of dishwasher safe. It’s also BPA FREE , easy to assemble/disassemble and runs more quietly than a lot of other juicers.
How To Get The Benefits of Celery In Your Diet
Celery Juice Using a Juicer
This is pretty straight forward. You’ll juice the celery using the instructions per your juicer. All you need is a bunch of celery (don’t forget to use all of the celery stalks)!
Celery Juice Using a Blender
Roughly chop one bunch of celery and add it to your blender with about 1/2 cup of water. Blend well. If it doesn’t blend, add more water. I like to chop the celery first so that it blends well.
Strain the celery pulp out using a wire mesh strainer.
Celery Seed Extract Pills
You can also buy celery seed extract capsules in take them daily.
One capsule is roughly equivalent to 4 to 6 ribs of celery, making it a convenient way to get added celery benefits.
Add Celery Juice to Other Juices
If you don’t like the taste of straight celery juice, you can also juice one cucumber and/or one apple with your celery. This is a great option get used to the flavor. As you get used to it, you can increase the ratio of celery.
Make Celery Soup
Not technically juice or raw, but celery soup is another great way to get more celery benefits in your diet! I love this Celery Soup Recipe from Feasting at Home that also has vegetarian and vegan options!
Boost Your Celery Game
