Celery juice has become an increasingly popular health drink in recent years. Some claim it has a variety of health benefits, from reducing inflammation to aiding weight loss. But one question that comes up is whether you can store celery juice overnight, or if it’s best consumed fresh.
What is Celery Juice?
Celery juice is simply the juice made from celery stalks, often involving pressing or blending the celery to extract the liquid. It can be consumed on its own or added to other juices or smoothies.
Celery contains certain beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants and polyphenols. It also contains minerals like potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Some research shows raw celery juice contains more of these beneficial nutrients than cooked celery.
Here’s a quick overview of the nutrition found in 16 ounces (2 cups) of raw celery juice:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 42 |
| Carbs | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Vitamin K | 59% DV |
| Folate | 10% DV |
| Potassium | 9% DV |
As you can see, celery juice is low in calories but contains some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Some claim that juicing celery allows you to consume greater concentrations of these nutrients.
Potential Benefits of Celery Juice
Drinking celery juice has become popularized by the so-called “Medical Medium” Anthony William. He recommends drinking 16 ounces of straight celery juice every morning on an empty stomach.
William claims celery juice has incredible healing abilities and can help treat or prevent all kinds of chronic diseases. However, many of these claims are not scientifically proven.
That being said, limited research suggests celery juice may offer some benefits, including:
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
- May reduce blood pressure
- May benefit gut health
- May have anticancer properties
- May reduce LDL cholesterol
However, most of these benefits come from studies using celery extract or celery seeds, not the juice itself. More research is needed on celery juice specifically.
Potential Downsides to Drinking Celery Juice
Celery juice is generally safe for most people when consumed in moderation.
However, there are some downsides to consider:
- High sodium content: Celery juice is relatively high in sodium, with over 300 mg in 16 ounces (2 cups). This may be problematic for those limiting salt intake.
- Diuretic effects: Celery acts as a natural diuretic, which can increase urine output. For some, this may worsen dehydration.
- Allergic reactions: Celery is among the more common food allergens, especially in raw form. It may trigger reactions in those with celery allergy.
- Pesticide residue: Celery’s porous structure makes it prone to holding onto pesticide residue if not washed properly. Consider buying organic.
- Naturally occurring chemicals: Celery contains psoralens, which may increase photosensitivity or interact with certain medications.
Some people also report feeling bloated or having diarrhea when drinking a lot of celery juice daily. Start with a small amount and increase slowly to assess tolerance.
Does Celery Juice Lose Nutrients Overnight?
A key question around celery juice is whether letting it sit after juicing causes any nutrient loss. Or is it better to only drink it immediately after juicing?
In general, most raw juices start losing nutrients quickly after being extracted from produce. Enzymes and vitamin C in particular break down rapidly.
One study found that about 50% of vitamin C was lost from orange juice just 3 hours after squeezing. Carrot juice stored at room temperature lost up to 60% of vitamin C content after around 8 hours.
For most raw juices, it’s recommended to drink them immediately after juicing or hold for up to 8 hours when refrigerated. Otherwise, substantial nutrient loss may occur.
However, celery juice may hold up a little better than other raw juices when stored. For instance, one study found celery juice retained 85-90% of its antioxidant activity when refrigerated for up to 12 hours.
The nutrients in celery juice would still gradually break down over time. But it seems you may have up to 12 hours before major nutrient loss occurs, especially when kept chilled in the fridge.
Tips for Storing Celery Juice Overnight
Here are some tips for minimizing nutrient loss if you want to store celery juice overnight:
- Juice it as fresh as possible, ideally right before storage.
- Pour the juice into an airtight container like a mason jar.
- Minimize air exposure by leaving only about 1 inch of headspace.
- Seal the container and refrigerate immediately.
- Aim to drink within 12 hours.
- Give the juice a shake or stir before drinking to redistribute nutrients.
- Rinse the container well before reusing.
Proper storage helps limit oxidation and nutrient breakdown. But for maximum nutrition, it’s still ideal to drink celery juice soon after juicing.
Can You Freeze Celery Juice?
Freezing is another option for preserving celery juice. This can allow you to batch prep juice and store it for longer periods. So can you freeze celery juice?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to safely freeze celery juice. Simply follow these steps:
- Juice fresh celery and pour into freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Leave 1⁄2 to 1 inch of headspace to account for expansion.
- Seal tightly and label with the date.
- Freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw in the fridge before using.
- Give it a good shake once thawed and before drinking.
Freezing is generally better for retention compared to refrigerating for days. However, some nutrient loss still occurs. One study found up to 35% reduction in vitamin C content even when oranges were frozen quickly with modern methods.
For maximum nutrition, it’s still best to freeze small batches and thaw what you plan to drink within a day or two.
Can You Add Anything to Celery Juice Before Storage?
Adding certain ingredients to celery juice before storage may help stabilize nutrients and prevent degradation. Options include:
- Lemon or lime juice: The acidity can help inhibit oxidative damage and vitamin C loss.
- Salt or spices: Sodium chloride salts have been shown to protect against vitamin C loss.
- Natural sweeteners: Small amounts of raw honey, maple syrup or dates may help limit microbial growth.
That said, adding too many ingredients can alter the flavor. You’ll get the best nutrient retention by squeezing and immediately chilling plain celery juice.
Can You Store Celery Juice in Other Ways?
In addition to refrigerating and freezing, here are a couple other ways you may be able to preserve celery juice:
- Canning: Celery juice could be safely hot filled into mason jars for shelf-stable storage.
- Dehydrating: Dehydrating into a vegetable powder may be an option, but will alter the properties.
- Fermenting: Allowing celery juice to ferment would create a probiotic-rich drink.
However, these methods involve processing that may diminish nutrients and antioxidants. For highest quality, refrigerate or freeze small batches of fresh juice.
Conclusion
Drinking celery juice right after juicing is ideal for maximum nutrition. However, proper refrigeration or freezing appears to help retain nutrients if drinking within 12-24 hours or up to a few months, respectively.
Minimize air exposure, store chilled, and aim to drink within a day for best results if holding overnight. Freezing also works for longer term storage. Adding certain ingredients may help stabilize vitamins and antioxidants as well.
While celery juice is perishable, you have some flexibility if you can’t drink it right away. Follow proper storage methods and consume within a day or two for a healthy, nutritious drink.
