Right now, the most recent fad is – celery juice. Let’s look at this wellness trend and break down the pros & cons. After review, I’ll put in my vote for or against the recommended daily juice.
The Celery Juice Hype:
Celery Juice, with over 150,000 posts on Instagram and the hashtag #celeryjuice trending for months, has been recommended by medical medium, Anthony William. William purports that drinking freshly juiced celery first thing in the morning on an empty stomach will improve your digestion and gut health, clear your skin, and even go as far as fighting cancer. The suggested claim is that celery contains sodium cluster salts, theorized to cling to dangerous salts from foods and draw them out of the body, thus removing pathogens that cause damage to your health.
What celery juice has to offer:
Sure, celery has a lot of health benefits – just like all other vegetables. Celery is full of fiber and is fat-free. Each stalk of celery has 1g of fiber and only 10 calories, along with 5% of your daily potassium needs. Additionally, like other green veggies, celery is rich in Vitamin K, which helps with blood health. Celery is about 95% water, which helps with hydration and can be more filling than less hydrating food. It is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds, and studies have shown the anti-inflammatory power of celery.
There is also validity to mentioning the benefits of the sodium in celery. Celery contains sodium nitrate, a naturally occurring compound that is converted into nitrous oxide when digested; nitrous oxide is known for promoting cardiovascular health.
I don’t discredit those who say that drinking celery juice every morning makes them feel better. Chances are, the introduction of a healthy habit first thing in the morning is going to have a positive impact on the rest of your day, leading to more healthy habits and positive lifestyle changes that can improve your health in the long run. Especially if it is replacing a higher sugar coffee drink or another high-calorie breakfast item in the process.
Where celery juicing becomes questionable:
However, if drinking celery juice is the only change you’ve made to your dietary patterns, there is no solidified research to confirm that this will improve your health. Your health also depends on what else you are eating and drinking and how much you are moving. The testimonials and celebrity endorsements are the basis for the momentum behind this health trend. If you are suffering from any chronic conditions or temporary ailments, the advice of your trusted doctors, nurses, and dietitians are the best places to start.
From there, if celery juice helps you feel good in the morning, go ahead. But be aware then when celery is juiced, that removes the fiber, one of celery’s most beneficial nutrients. Celery juice contains the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals from the vegetable, but you would get those if you ate the vegetable in its entirety as well. Sodium nitrate is found in many other vegetables and plants, so you would reap the benefits no matter what vegetable you are eating or juicing. And chances are, you will use a lot more celery juicing it than eating it, which can put a dent in your budget. On average, you need to use about 1 bunch of celery to make 16oz of juice (the recommended daily amount); if you’re shopping at FreshDirect, this means $35/week for conventional or $38.50/weekly for organic celery alone – in addition to your weekly food budget.
My Recommendation:
Eat celery as part of a varied, healthy diet. Eat celery as often as you want or add it to your smoothies or juicers that keep the fiber intact. The whole celery stem is very nutritious, can help with digestion, and adds a great crunch to salads and stir-frys. Save your $35/week for wholesome foods and skip the daily celery juice.
Here are some great ways from FreshDirect to incorporate celery into your diet: Celery & Hummus Snack, in a stir-fry, tuna salad, or in soup.