Celery juice started trending in 2019, and at one point, more people were Googling celery juice than the Mediterranean diet. Anthony Williams, aka "The Medical Medium," calls himself the originator of the celery juice movement. And he may well be, but his "credentials" are that he can talk to spirits—not that he went to medical school or studied nutrition—and he recommends drinking pure celery juice on an empty stomach. He claims it's a miracle juice that can heal chronic illnesses and improve digestion.
Here, we myth-bust the celery juice claims and tell you what you really need to know about celery juice.
I Drank Celery Juice Every Day for a Week, and Here's What Happened
Celery Juice Nutrition
Celery is an often-overlooked crunchy vegetable that happens to be delicious topped with peanut butter. And since it's a vegetable, yes, celery is good for you.
According to the USDA, 1 cup of chopped celery has:
- Calories: 14
- Total Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Added Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Vitamin K: 30 mcg
Celery is very low in calories and doesn't have a mega amount of any one nutrient—although you will get a nice nutritional bump in fiber and vitamin K. And like all vegetables, celery does have health-promoting antioxidants. According to a 2019 review in Phytotherapy Research, celery has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Research also suggests that celery may lower blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Juicing vs. Eating Celery
One cup of celery juice made with half a bunch of medium stalks (4 to 5) will be higher in nutrients than 1 cup of chopped celery since more celery is used to make the juice—although some vitamins, like vitamin C, may diminish a little with heat and oxygen exposure from blending or being put through a juicer. The juice, however, won't deliver the same amount of fiber since that will be left in the pulp—and fiber is a key nutrient that most of us don't get enough of.
Also, for the most part, eating your calories is more satisfying than drinking them. And while some people hype celery juice for being hydrating and "mostly water," the best hydrating drink is water. It's 100% water and very hydrating. Plus it's free and doesn't take any time to make.
Celery Juice Side Effects
Rachele Pojednic, Ph.D., assistant professor and program director of exercise science at Norwich University and a research associate at the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine at Harvard Medical School, said it best with this Instagram post debunking the myths, "IT'S JUST JUICE."
And while Pojednic and other scientists acknowledge that celery has beneficial compounds, we don't know what the optimal dose is for humans. As Pojednic explains, "When you juice a ton of celery, it concentrates all of these chemicals. While that might sound great in theory, we don't know what an optimal dose of these concentrated phytochemicals is because studies haven't been done in humans (almost all studies are in cells and rats). And we know there are toxicants in celery—furanocoumarins and psoralens—which can cause skin issues and may result in liver damage from breakdown intermediates during metabolism (mechanism unknown). Yep, even celery can be too much of a good thing."
Celery juice may also interact with certain medications like blood thinners because of its vitamin K content, so talk to your doctor if you are going to start drinking celery juice regularly. You should also avoid drinking celery juice if you have an allergy or intolerance to celery.
Celery underwent FDA testing, according to the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) evaluation. The EWG produces the Dirty Dozen list, which highlights the produce most contaminated with pesticide residue. Though celery was not included on the Dirty Dozen list, EWG experts advise opting for organic produce whenever feasible to lower pesticide exposure. Regardless of your choice, ensure thorough washing of celery to minimize contaminants.
The 2024 Dirty Dozen: 12 Foods You Should Buy Organic, According to the Environmental Working Group
What About Those Celery Juice Testimonials?
While there are lots of testimonials regarding celery juice out there—many from celebrities—it's unknown what other lifestyle and dietary changes they might have made. In other words, it's impossible to know if it was strictly the celery juice that was creating the changes they're claiming or if it was a combination of that along with other lifestyle factors.
And then there's the placebo effect. If people have bought into celery juice as being a miracle cure-all drink, they are much more likely to report feeling benefits, per the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
We wonder—if people just started their day with 2 cups of plain water before they ate breakfast, would they see similar results?
The Bottom Line
Like any other food, celery juice isn't a miracle cure-all drink—so be wary of "gurus" who tell you otherwise. If you want to add celery juice to your diet, limit it to about a cup a day. Either way, drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you're looking for a quick and easy antioxidant-loaded drink, add tea to your beverage lineup. And eat more whole foods—fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins and fats—for a well-rounded diet that will give you all the nutrients you need for good health.
FAQs
“Celery alone has great nutritional benefits and is chock full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants,” explains Sommer. “But having it just as a juice is eliminating fiber that your body needs to keep you feeling full and to support a healthy gut.”
What is the science behind celery juice? ›
A recent study found that several compounds in celery leaves and seeds act as powerful antioxidants in the body. These compounds include caffeic acid, ferric acid, tannin, and saponin. Enjoying celery, either raw or as a juice, can help you get enough of these compounds and lower your chances of cancer.
What are the side effects of celery juice? ›
Celery juice can cause digestive discomfort in some individuals, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea. According to this study, published in Clinical and Experimental gastroenterology, the starch present in celery can ferment the gut and this can lead to bloating or discomfort.
What happens to your body when you drink celery juice every morning? ›
Celery juice is low in sugar and contains potassium and vitamins A, C, and K. This popular drink may reduce inflammation and boost hydration, among other benefits. However, you shouldn't use celery juice to detox your body, as cleanses put you at risk of dangerous calorie restriction and nutrient deficiencies.
Is celery juice debunked? ›
Aid in Weight Loss: False. However, whole celery may help maintain a healthy weight because of its fiber content, or by replacing a high calorie food or beverage with celery, which is low in calories. Promote Clear Skin: False. Hydration influences skin health, and celery is 95 percent water (not juiced).
When should you not drink celery juice? ›
Any dangers? A. Most people can drink as much juice as they wish. “However, if you have a history of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease, you should discuss drinking celery juice with your doctor or pharmacist first,” says Dr.
What can you not mix with celery? ›
Celery might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking celery along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
What does celery juice do to your gut? ›
“Juicing celery will mechanically break down its insoluble fiber, which is helpful in digestion, bowel regularity and sweeping our digestive tract as well as feeding the good bacteria in our gut,” says Richard.
Is celery juice good for your kidneys? ›
You should typically avoid salt replacements if you have renal problems since many of them include potassium. 5. Celery juice: Celery juice aids with kidney function improvement. Celery juice contains mineral salts that both maintain and enhance kidney function.
Why do I feel tired after drinking celery juice? ›
The chemicals in different parts of the celery plant might have many effects on the body, including lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, and causing sleepiness.
If you eat too much celery, it can cause bloating or gas. That may be because celery has high levels of the compound mannitol, which can cause dehydration, disrupt the balance of sodium levels in your body, and create other problems.
How many celery stalks for 16 oz of juice? ›
Those who follow this trend drink 16 ounces (475 ml) of the juice on an empty stomach every morning. To make your own, you can juice celery stalks — or blend them and strain out the plant fiber. One large bunch of celery, or about 9 stalks, makes 16 ounces (475 ml) of juice.
Does celery help you lose belly fat? ›
Celery is a popular vegetable that has few calories and is rich in nutrients like fiber. A lot of people drink celery juice to reduce belly fat, but there is a lack of scientific evidence to support this application.
Does celery clean your colon? ›
Debunking health claims
Some people suggest celery contains a special cluster of salts that purges the gut of pathogens. However, there is no scientific evidence to back these claims. In fact, the body is more than capable of detoxifying substances and does not need additional support in the form of “cleanses.”
What happens if you drink celery juice before bed? ›
Relax, easy to sleep. As mentioned above, the ingredients in celery juice are very effective in stabilizing blood pressure and stress levels. Moreover, drinking celery juice helps replenish electrolytes, so it has a relaxing effect and sleeps easier.
What happens to your body if you eat celery everyday for a month? ›
If you eat too much celery, it can cause bloating or gas. That may be because celery has high levels of the compound mannitol, which can cause dehydration, disrupt the balance of sodium levels in your body, and create other problems.
Does celery juice detox the liver? ›
The renal system , liver , and digestive system support the body's complex detoxification processes. While staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet can keep the body's organs functioning properly, detox drinks and celery juice will not flush the body of toxins.
What are the 10 benefits of celery juice? ›
Celery juice had gained popularity as a health elixir, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and potassium. It promoted hydration, digestive health, and had anti-inflammatory properties. It also supported heart health, detoxification, immune function, and improved skin health.
How much fresh celery juice should I drink a day? ›
Celery can be added to smoothies or blended on its own in a high-speed blender with some filtered water, and strained through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer before serving. It's suggested that you consume one, 16-ounce glass of celery juice every morning for at least one full week to reap many of the benefits.
