Can you drink celery juice everyday?

Table of Contents

Introduction

Celery juice has become a popular health trend in recent years, with claims that drinking it daily can provide a range of health benefits. Proponents say it can help with digestion, inflammation, weight loss, and more. But can you really drink celery juice every day, and are there any downsides to doing so? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the potential benefits and risks of making fresh celery juice a part of your daily routine.

What is Celery Juice?

Celery juice is simply the juice made from blending and straining celery stalks, leaves and all. It’s typically made by running celery sticks through a juicer or high-powered blender and then straining out the fiber. This leaves you with the potent celery juice, which is low in sugar and calories but packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Some of the key nutrients found in celery juice include:

Vitamin K
Vitamin A

Vitamin C
Folate
Potassium

Magnesium
Flavonoids like luteolin
Polyphenols like apigenin

Celery is about 95% water, so celery juice provides pure hydration along with nutrition. It has a mild green flavor, making it more palatable than straight vegetable juice for some people.

Purported Benefits of Daily Celery Juice

Drinking 16 ounces of fresh celery juice every morning on an empty stomach has become a daily habit for many health-conscious people. What potential benefits are they hoping to gain from this simple practice? Here are some of the top claims about what celery juice can do:

May aid digestion

Many people struggle with digestive issues like bloating, constipation, acid reflux, and more. Drinking celery juice each day may help get things moving through the digestive tract thanks to its high water and fiber content. Celery also contains an organic compound called apigenin, which may have anti-inflammatory benefits that support digestion.

Could reduce inflammation

Chronic inflammation is at the root of most modern diseases. Celery contains apigenin and luteolin, two powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce inflammation throughout the body when consumed regularly. It also provides antioxidants that can combat oxidative stress and inflammation.

May boost immunity

With its wealth of vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants, celery juice delivers immune-boosting nutrients. Vitamin C in particular supports immune health and helps the body synthesize antibodies and collagen. Drinking celery juice each day could give your immune system an advantage against viruses, bacteria, and chronic illness.

Could aid in weight loss

Celery is extremely low in calories, so drinking celery juice can be a low-calorie way to help fill you up. The fiber it contains can also curb appetite. Celery juice also has a high water content to help with satiety as well. Drinking it before meals may lead to lower overall calorie intake.

May lower cholesterol

Animal studies have found that celery can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. This may be attributed to its phytonutrient content, as well as the soluble fiber in celery that binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract for elimination. Drinking daily celery juice could support cardiovascular health by improving cholesterol numbers.

May prevent or treat high blood pressure

Celery contains phthalides, a group of organic chemical compounds that have been shown to relax artery walls and lower blood pressure. Celery juice also provides minerals like potassium and magnesium that play key roles in regulating blood pressure. Drinking it consistently may help prevent and manage high blood pressure.

Could reduce acid reflux symptoms

Celery juice is alkaline, which may help neutralize stomach acid and relieve acid reflux symptoms. Drinking it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning may allow its minerals and antioxidants to provide protective benefits throughout the digestive tract before food enters. This may promote relief from acid reflux.

May have anticancer benefits

Some early studies have explored celery’s potential anticancer effects. Celery provides compounds like apigenin that demonstrate cytotoxic activities that can induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. While human research is still limited, drinking celery juice daily for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power could potentially help prevent certain cancers.

Downsides of Drinking Celery Juice Every Day

While the potential upside of daily celery juicing is high for many people, there are some possible downsides to be aware of as well:

High sodium content

Celery is naturally high in sodium, with one cup of raw celery containing around 115mg sodium. For those limiting sodium due to high blood pressure or other reasons, juicing multiple stalks daily could potentially cause issues. Monitoring intake and being mindful of overall sodium consumption is important.

Allergic reactions

Celery allergies, while uncommon, do exist. Celery juice contains celery proteins that could potentially trigger an allergic response in sensitive people. Signs of an allergy can include itching, hives, swelling, and anaphylaxis. Anyone with a known celery allergy should avoid celery juice.

Pesticide exposure

Unless organic, celery may be heavily treated with pesticides that get concentrated in the juicing process. To avoid excessive pesticide exposure, it’s best to juice celery from organic sources as much as possible. Washing celery thoroughly before juicing can also help remove some external residues.

May interact with certain medications

Celery can have a diuretic effect due to its mineral content, causing increased urination. This could potentially impact medications that require potassium monitoring or affect fluid balance in the body. Checking with a doctor is wise, especially for those on blood pressure medications or supplements like creatine.

High volume could cause issues for some

Drinking 16 ounces of any liquid first thing in the morning may not agree with everyone. For those with irritable bowel syndrome or prone to diarrhea, celery juice could further loosen stools. Start with a lower amount like 4-8 ounces and work up slowly to see how your digestive system tolerates celery juice.

May cause dehydration without adequate water intake

Since celery juice acts as a natural diuretic, drinking it without also consuming enough water through the day could potentially lead to dehydration. Be sure to drink enough water daily to replace the fluids lost through increased urination.

Oxalate content could be problematic for some

For those prone to kidney stones, the oxalate content found naturally in celery could be a concern with excessive consumption. People with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones should likely limit high-oxalate foods and beverages, including celery juice.

Lacks protein and healthy fats

While packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, celery juice on its own lacks protein, fiber, and healthy fats to make it a balanced, nutrient-dense beverage. Combining it with ingredients like nut milk, plant protein powder, avocado, or coconut could help create a more complete, satisfying drink.

Who Should Not Drink Celery Juice?

While celery juice may be safe for most people when consumed in moderate amounts, there are some groups who may want to avoid drinking large amounts of celery juice daily:

Those with a celery allergy

People taking certain medications that require potassium monitoring
Individuals prone to kidney stones or gout
Anyone with irritable bowel syndrome or diverticulitis

People with sodium-sensitive hypertension
Anyone following a low-sodium diet

If you have concerns about how celery juice may interact with a health condition or medication, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider. They can help determine if daily celery juicing is right for you.

Tips for Drinking Celery Juice

If you’d like to test out the benefits of daily celery juicing for yourself, here are some tips:

Drink on an empty stomach

For optimal absorption and benefits, try drinking your celery juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Waiting at least 15-30 minutes before eating breakfast can allow the nutrients to be readily absorbed.

Use organic celery

Choose organic celery whenever possible to minimize pesticide residues. Celery is on the “Dirty Dozen” list of most pesticide-contaminated produce.

Wash celery thoroughly

Give celery a good rinse before juicing to help remove dirt, debris, and any remaining external pesticides.

Juice the leaves

Don’t discard the leaves—they contain potent nutrients and minerals too. Run the entire celery stalk and leaves through the juicer.

Drink immediately

For the freshest, most nutritious juice, drink your celery juice immediately after making it. Don’t store it for later.

Start slowly

If 16 ounces feels like too much, start with a smaller amount like 4-6 ounces and work up gradually to avoid any digestive issues.

Add other ingredients

To make your juice more balanced, try combining celery with cucumber, kale, lemon, ginger, apple, or other greens and veggies.

Rinse mouth after

Celery is naturally salty. Rinsing your mouth helps prevent mineral deposits on teeth and helps neutralize stomach acidity.

Monitor sodium intake

Be mindful of your total sodium intake, as celery juice can contribute a substantial amount, especially if juicing 4-5 large stalks.

Celery Juice Recipe

Here is a simple celery juice recipe to try:

Ingredients

4-5 organic celery stalks, washed well

1 cucumber, peeled if not organic
1 lemon, peeled if not organic
1 inch knob of ginger, scrubbed

Instructions

Run the celery, cucumber, lemon, and ginger through a juicer. Juice the ingredients separately to get the highest yield of juice.
Stir or shake the juices together until well-combined.
Drink immediately, ideally on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Serve over ice if desired.

Nutrition

This recipe makes 16 ounces of celery juice. It provides the following approximate nutrition:

Nutrients	Per 16 oz.
Calories	85
Total Fat	1 g
Sodium	350 mg
Potassium	915 mg
Total Carbohydrate	21 g
Dietary Fiber	3 g
Protein	3 g
Vitamin A	15% DV
Vitamin C	15% DV
Calcium	10% DV
Iron	5% DV

Conclusion

Drinking celery juice every day could potentially provide some benefits thanks to its mix of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. However, it may not be well-tolerated or beneficial for everyone. Excess sodium, oxalates, and volume could be problematic for some.

As with any supplement or health trend, it’s wise to proceed with caution. Talk to your doctor, especially if you take medications or have pre-existing conditions. Start slowly and listen to your body’s response. Make sure you stay well-hydrated and combine celery juice with an overall healthy diet and active lifestyle for best results. Moderation and consistency over the long-term may be keys for obtaining benefits from daily celery juicing.