Celery Juice Health Benefits: Myths and Truths

Hi friend! I want to dig deeper into celery juice and its health benefits in this post.

Celery juice has been revered as a miracle health drink containing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Also, its consumption is popular among people looking to detoxify their bodies and lose weight.

But is celery juice the miracle juice they say it is? 

Or, conversely, have celery juice supporters slightly overstated its benefits?

Proponents of celery juice claim that you should consume at least 16 oz daily to take advantage of its health benefits. (1)

Now, what are the ailments that celery juice helps to combat?

These are the health benefits of celery juice that are mentioned the most:

• Reduces inflammation
• Control blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Improve gut health
• Increase and strengthens bile
• Help flushing out viruses
• Prevent digestive disorders
• Prevent cancer
• Restores the central nervous system
• Removes toxins from the liver
• Weight loss
• Clear skin

If all of this were true, we would be found in front of a miraculous elixir of nature. Almost too good to be true.

But before delving into the integrity of its benefits, let’s analyze the properties of celery as such.

Celery Nutritional Properties

Celery is mainly composed of water (approximately 95%).

On the other hand, celery also contains dietary fiber. A celery stalk weighing around 4 grams (g) provides approximately 0.1 g of fiber.

Celery has powerful flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin. Studies have shown these flavonoids possess valuable therapeutic properties. (2) (3)

Antioxidants are essential in neutralizing free radicals that cause damage and diseases in our bodies. (4)

Other plant compounds in celery with antioxidant properties are:

• Selinene
• Limonene
• Kaempferol
• P-Coumaric Acid

Celery also contains small amounts of vitamin K, folic acid, vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin C.

Myths and Truths of Celery Juice Health Benefits

Does celery juice help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease?

Researchers are discovering that the flavonoids found in celery can help prevent or stop the growth of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive loss. (5)

However, there are mixed opinions in the scientific community.

Some believe that more research is still needed.

Other research suggests that one food alone cannot prevent cancer by itself.

Therefore they recommend having a varied diet based primarily on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

Does celery juice help with inflammation?

Celery is high in phytonutrients, anti-inflammatory components, and antioxidants.

Celery physician and radio host, Dr. Josh Ax, DNM, DC, CNS, has told several publications that celery is beneficial for autoimmune inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because “it contains antioxidants and polysaccharides which are known to act as anti-inflammatories, especially flavonoid and polyphenolic antioxidants. ” (6)

Does celery juice help with blood pressure?

Some foods, like celery, contain certain chemicals that help lower blood pressure.

In 2013 a study showed that the 3nB chemical (3-n-butylphthalide or NBP) found in celery seed extract has antihypertensive properties. (7)

Does celery juice help lower cholesterol?

A 2014 study on rats for 30 days showed that celery leaf extract could significantly reduce bad cholesterol (LDL). (8)

Another subsequent investigation revealed that the antioxidants in celery lower cholesterol levels because they prevent cholesterol stores from breaking down and entering the blood.

However, more human studies are needed as they have only been done on animals.

Does Celery Juice Help With Weight Loss?

Despite its undeniable health benefits, there is no scientific evidence to show that celery juice aids in weight loss. 

However, whole celery may help maintain a healthy weight because of its fiber.

Does celery juice help improve gut health?

Celery juice has some valuable nutrients for intestinal health, but the doses of these nutrients are not very high, according to experts. (9)

Besides, some nutritionists say that removing the fiber from the juice dismisses what could be most beneficial for the gut microbiome.

Fiber is the most critical element for intestinal health, so it is preferable to eat the whole celery. Better yet, it would consume other vegetables with higher fiber, such as artichokes, beets, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Does celery juice help cleanse the liver?

Here again, we are faced with the dilemma of fiber elimination when you turn the entire celery into juice.

Celery juice is fiber-free, and the liver needs fiber to work at an optimal level.

Celery juice is not a magic cure for your liver needs.

If you treat your liver well with healthy food, physical activity, and proper hydration, you can do much more to flush toxins out of your body.

Does celery juice clear skin?

No substantial scientific study supports the claim that celery juice will give you radiant skin.

Due to its high water content, the consumption of whole celery can help keep the body hydrated.

However, the best for the skin will always be the varied consumption of fruits and vegetables and drinking enough water daily.

Bottom Line

Celery is a marshland plant with excellent nutritional properties, and its health benefits are unquestionable.

Nonetheless, there is little scientific evidence to support claims that celery juice is healthier than eating whole celery.

Of course, a glass of celery juice contains plenty of vitamins and antioxidants.

But, if you are already ingesting enough vitamins and antioxidants by consuming fruits and vegetables, drinking celery juice will not make much difference.

Regarding fad remedies, we must learn to separate truth from exaggeration and always seek confirmation from scientific studies.