Can you add other things to celery juice?

Celery juice has become an extremely popular health drink in recent years. Many people swear by its supposed benefits for digestion, inflammation, hydration, and more. But plain celery juice can get boring after a while. Can you jazz it up by adding other ingredients?

Fruits and Vegetables

Certain fruits and veggies can complement the flavor of celery juice nicely. Some good options include:

• Apples – Tart and sweet, apples provide a nice flavor balance to celery’s bitterness.
• Cucumbers – Cooling and refreshing, cucumbers blend seamlessly into celery juice.
• Spinach – Leafy greens like spinach add nutrient value without overpowering the celery.
• Kale – Kale has a mild flavor that works well with celery’s crispness.
• Lemons/Limes – A squeeze of citrus adds zest and enhances the bright herbal notes of celery.
• Ginger – Spicy ginger root gives celery juice a little kick.
• Parsley – The fresh taste of parsley complements celery’s savoriness.
• Fennel – Licorice-like fennel has a natural affinity with celery.

When adding fruits/veggies, moderation is key. Stick to 1-2 ingredients and aim for a 3:1 ratio of celery to additions for best results.

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices can add flavor complexity to otherwise one-note celery juice. Consider these options:

• Basil – Sweet basil pairs nicely with celery’s herbal qualities.
• Mint – Invigorating mint freshens up plain celery juice.
• Parsley – Bright, grassy parsley complements celery’s savory profile.
• Cilantro – The cooling flavor of cilantro balances celery’s bitterness.
• Cardamom – A touch of cardamom adds floral aroma.
• Cinnamon – Warming cinnamon helps offset celery’s coolness.
• Nutmeg – Nutmeg enhances the earthy notes in celery juice.
• Ginger – Pungent ginger root adds a spike of heat.

Use herbs and spices sparingly, as little as 1/4 tsp can make a big impact. Their volatile oils are powerful and can overtake celery’s flavor easily.

Salts

A pinch of natural salt can help balance the bitterness of celery juice:

• Himalayan Pink Salt
• Celtic Sea Salt
• Hawaiian Black Lava Salt
• Flaky Sea Salt

Salts like these contain trace minerals that add subtle flavor nuances. Use no more than 1/8 tsp per 16 oz serving of juice.

Sweeteners

You can add small amounts of natural sweeteners to mellow celery’s bitter edge:

• Raw Honey – 1 tsp raw honey adds floral sweetness.
• Maple Syrup – 1 tsp maple syrup provides earthy richness.
• Dates – Soak 1-2 pitted dates in juice to sweeten.
• Stevia – A few drops of stevia extract adds light sweetness.

Limit sweeteners to mask bitterness, not make juice taste sugary. The flavor should still be predominantly celery.

Proteins

Adding protein turns celery juice into a more complete meal:

Protein	Amount per 16 oz
Collagen Peptides	1-2 scoops (5-10g)
Plant Protein Powder	1-2 scoops (15-20g)
Hemp Seeds	1-2 Tbsp (5-10g)
Chia Seeds	1-2 Tbsp (5-10g)
Nut Butter	1-2 Tbsp (5-10g)

Stick to 1-2 scoops or tablespoons of protein sources per serving to avoid thinning out the consistency too much.

Healthy Fats

Incorporating healthy fats adds creaminess and satisfaction:

• Nut Oils – 1 tsp olive, walnut, almond, etc
• Avocado – 1/4 to 1/2 ripe avocado
• Coconut Milk – 1-2 Tbsp (for creaminess)
• Coconut Butter – 1-2 tsp (for richness)
• Chia/Flax Seeds – 1-2 Tbsp (for omega-3s)

Aim for 1-2 Tbsp total of healthy fats per serving. Too much can make the juice overly dense and muddy the celery flavor.

Superfood Boosts

You can up the nutritional value of celery juice with superfood add-ins like:

• Wheatgrass powder – 1 tsp for chlorophyll
• Spirulina – 1 tsp for antioxidants
• Turmeric – 1/4 tsp for anti-inflammatory benefits
• Maca powder – 1 tsp for adaptogens
• Barley grass – 1 tsp for vitamins and minerals
• Chlorella – 1 tsp for detoxification
• Camu camu – 1 tsp for vitamin C
• Bee pollen – 1 tsp for nutrients

Superfoods are powerhouses of nutrition. But use a light hand as little amounts go a long way in terms of benefits.

Liquid Supplements

You can also incorporate supplemental nutrients into celery juice:

• Liquid chlorophyll – 1 tsp for energizing greens
• Digestive enzymes – 1 tsp to aid digestion
• Liquid vitamins – 1 Tbsp to fill nutrient gaps
• Mineral drops – Add per instructions to meet mineral needs
• Probiotics – 1 tsp to boost gut health
• Colloidal silver – 1 tsp for immunity

Read labels carefully and follow serving instructions when adding supplements. More is not necessarily better.

Things to Avoid Adding

Certain ingredients are not recommended for adding to celery juice:

• Fruit Juices – Fructose heavy juices can cause issues when consumed in large amounts.
• Milk – Dairy curdles when mixed with celery juice’s acids.
• Cruciferous Veggies – Broccoli, cabbage, kale contain goitrogens which may suppress thyroid function when consumed raw.
• Acidic Fruits – Citrus, berries, etc may irritate sensitive digestive systems.
• Sugar – Refined sugar feeds pathogen overgrowth.

Also avoid adding too many ingredients at once. This can make the juice difficult to digest and diminish benefits. Simple is often better.

Sample Recipe Combinations

Here are some tasty celery juice recipe ideas to try:

Recipe	Ingredients
Green Revitalizer	Celery + Spinach + Lemon + Ginger
Purple Healer	Celery + Beets + Carrots + Apple
Anti-Inflammatory	Celery + Turmeric + Ginger + Coconut Oil
Green Morning Boost	Celery + Kale + Lemon + Wheatgrass Powder
Tropical Twist	Celery + Pineapple + Mint

Get creative and come up with your own combinations too. Just remember to stick to 1-2 add-ins max for the best results.

How to Prepare Celery Juice with Add-Ins

Here is a step-by-step process for making tasty celery juice with add-ins:

1. Wash and chop celery stalks. Aim for around 3-4 heads per 16 oz juice.
2. Run celery through a juicer according to manufacturer instructions. Juice heads first followed by leaves.
3. Pour freshly juiced celery into a glass. Add any chopped produce like apples or cucumber to the juicer and juice into the glass.
4. Next add any spices, herbs, powders, or liquid supplements. Use a small whisk or spoon to mix together well.
5. Finally stir in or blend any thickeners like avocado, nut butters, protein powder, etc.
6. Drink immediately for maximum nutrient value.
7. Store any leftover juice in an airtight container in the fridge up to 24 hours.

Wash all produce thoroughly before juicing. You can strain the juice through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth if desired to remove excess pulp.

Potential Benefits

There are many purported benefits to drinking celery juice with additional ingredients:

• Better Nutrition – Fruits, veggies, herbs, spices, and superfoods add an array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
• Anti-Inflammatory – Ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and omega oils provide anti-inflammatory compounds.
• Enhanced Hydration – The extra nutrients increase fluid absorption and electrolyte levels.
• Detoxification – Add-ins like chlorella and spirulina can bind to and flush out toxins.
• Improved Absorption – Healthy fats increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in celery juice.
• Increased Satiety – Adding proteins and fats helps celery juice keep you fuller longer.

That being said, more research is still needed on celery juice consumption in general. But juicing celery with other nutritious ingredients provides a broader spectrum of nutrients and plant compounds your body can use in a quick, easy-to-digest form.

Potential Side Effects

Despite the many purported benefits, there are some potential side effects to be aware of when adding ingredients to celery juice:

• Allergic Reactions – Fruits, veggies, herbs could trigger food sensitivities in some.
• Blood Thinning – High vitamin K levels may impact blood clotting, an issue for those on blood thinners.
• Digestive Upset – Excess acidity from certain add-ins may irritate sensitive GI tracts.
• Dangerously Low Blood Pressure – High nitrate intake has been linked to drops in blood pressure.
• Drug Interactions – Juice ingredients may interact with medications.

Talk to a doctor before regularly consuming juices with add-ins if you have any medical conditions or take prescription medications.

Bottom Line

Adding complementary ingredients to your daily celery juice can provide extra nutrition and flavor.

Fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, proteins, healthy fats and superfoods are all great options. Just be sure not to go overboard on add-ins. 1-2 extra ingredients max is best.

The key is balancing additional nutrients and flavors without diluting the power of the celery juice itself. Drink your customized concoctions immediately for maximum benefits.

With some creativity and experimentation, you can transform plain celery juice into a delicious, nutritious beverage you look forward to drinking every morning!