Is Celery Juice Good for You?
Multiple health benefits are advertised for juicing the simple vegetable, celery. However, most are lacking any sufficient evidence that they exist. When we start new health regimes, most of us experience benefits. This is where the line gets blurred because it’s hard to say if the new thing you started is beneficial or the old things you stopped have made you feel better. The health bounce attributed to juicing could come from the foods and habits you stopped when juicing.
Celery juice is hydrating, which isn’t surprising as it’s roughly 95% water. We often struggle to maintain hydration, so anything that improves that situation is a good thing. In the modern world, it’s safe to say that most of us could benefit from eating more vegetables, and juicing also helps us reach that goal.
These are the benefits that could be contributed to celery juice. Yet, the most important part of starting something like celery juicing, or any juicing for that matter, is that you’ve simply made a positive decision about your wellbeing however misguided that decision might be.
“There’s a blurred line between the benefits of starting new things and stopping old ones.”
Negative interactions with certain drugs
The most compelling evidence indicates that if you are taking any pharmaceutical drugs, especially blood thinners or sedatives then you need to rethink using celery juice. Negative interactions have been reported and further research is needed. If in doubt, consult with your prescribing Doctor.
Diuretic
Celery is high in Mannitol, a type of sugar alcohol. It can pull water into your digestive system and loosen your bowels, leading to diarrhea. This may be further exacerbated by existing conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Just because it’s antibacterial doesn’t make it good
We have more bacterial organisms in our bodies than we have cells. It influences multiple factors in our lives and wellbeing. The biggest antibacterial substances we have are antibiotics. There are of course antibiotic-like substances in nature that are often found to have beneficial properties when ingested. When we juice vegetables like celery then the anti-bacterial element is amplified significantly and far more than nature intended. The more is not necessarily the better.
Celery is goitrogenic
Goitrogens are substances that disrupt the production of thyroid hormones by interfering with iodine uptake in the thyroid gland. Goitrogenic substances are reduced by cooking and are well tolerated at low levels. Raw juicing may mean consuming far more goitrogenic substances than nature intended.
Low nutrient content
Just because it contains certain nutrients, doesn’t make it a good source of those nutrients. In reality, celery doesn’t have mega amounts of anything other than vitamin K.
High sodium content
For those with existing blood pressure issues, celery juice has relatively high levels of sodium and relatively low levels of potassium. This may further elevate blood pressure, especially in salt-sensitive individuals.
Low in fiber, increased hunger
Most juicing machines extract the fiber that exists in vegetables. It’s the fiber that contributes to satiety so it’s common to feel hungry when relying on juices. This can lead to the temptation to reach for that quick and easy snack.
High pesticide food
Celery is in the top 10 on the environmental watchlist as one of the most contaminated vegetables. So be extremely careful if you want to reduce your toxic exposure.
Recommendations
Too much of a good thing can easily become a bad thing. If you intend to undertake celery juicing, I’d recommend only doing it over a 7-to-14-day period before taking an extended break from juicing. I’d also recommend blending your fruits to maintain the fiber content of the food, keeping you satiated for longer, rather than using a juicer that removes over 95% of the pulp.
That being said, you can reach the promised benefits of juicing celery in other ways. Drinking water, deep breathing, and a sauna can help your body detox from accumulated toxins. Limiting snacking and sticking to a healthy meal plan can help you lose weight. Stopping the things you are substituting celery juice with, like cereals, breakfast biscuits, baked goods, and seed oils can improve your digestion.
Finally, seeking out a wellbeing coach can help you make lasting changes in your lifestyle, nutrition, and movement, saving you the time and effort of chasing health fads. Wellbeing coaches empower you to take control of your health and make more informed decisions about it in the future.
Valeo lets you connect to a pool of the most qualified wellbeing coaches around the world.
