Is it OK to juice non-organic celery?
Juicing has become an increasingly popular way to get more nutrients from fruits and vegetables. With the rise of cold-pressed juices and juice cleanses, more people are drinking their produce instead of eating it. But is it okay to juice non-organic produce like celery? In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of juicing conventional celery and help you decide if it’s right for your diet.
Nutritional Benefits of Juicing Celery
Celery is an extremely healthy vegetable that offers a number of nutritional benefits when juiced. Here are some of the top nutrients found in celery juice:
| Nutrient | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Vitamin K | Supports bone and heart health |
| Vitamin A | Important for immune function and vision |
| Vitamin C | Boosts immunity and acts as an antioxidant |
| Folate | Important for cell growth and DNA production |
| Potassium | Supports nerve signaling and heart function |
| Antioxidants | Protects cells from damage and inflammation |
Juicing celery allows you to consume greater quantities than you could eat whole. This means you can take in more of the nutrients found in the vegetable. Juicing also makes the nutrients more bioavailable so your body can better absorb them.
Pesticide Residues on Conventional Celery
The main objection to using non-organic celery for juicing is the pesticide residues it contains. Celery is one of the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables most contaminated by pesticides.
Research shows that conventionally-grown celery has detectable levels of several different pesticide residues. According to analysis from the USDA, the most common pesticides found on celery include:
| Pesticide | Potential Health Effects |
|---|---|
| Chlorpyrifos | Neurotoxic, harmful to brain development |
| Malathion | Toxic to the nervous system |
| Diazinon | Linked to liver and reproductive damage |
| Dicofol | Toxic, potential hormone disruptor |
When you juice non-organic celery, these pesticide residues go directly into your glass. The act of juicing releases nutrients and compounds like pesticides, making them very bioavailable.
Are the Pesticides Harmful?
The big question is whether these pesticide exposures from juicing conventional celery pose a health risk. Much of the research on pesticide toxicity comes from animal studies and occupation exposures at very high doses.
It’s difficult to know if the trace exposures from juicing would be harmful, especially since we ingest pesticides from other sources like other produce, meat, and dairy. However, the antioxidant nutrients gained from juicing celery may counteract some of the effects of pesticides.
Some organic advocates argue it’s better to be safe than sorry and only juice organic celery and produce. Others feel occasional exposure to pesticides from juicing won’t cause harm compared to the benefits of drinking more vegetables.
Tips for Reducing Pesticide Residues
If you want to juice non-organic celery, there are some steps you can take to try reducing pesticide residues:
– Wash celery thoroughly before juicing to remove residues on the surface. Use a produce wash made from natural ingredients.
– Peel outer celery stalks before juicing to remove skin with the highest residue levels.
– Consider partially peeling stalks to remove just the outermost layer. This preserves more nutrients than fully peeling.
– Mix celery juice with organic fruits and veggies that contain less pesticides like pineapple, apples, spinach, cucumber, etc. This dilutes the residue levels.
– Look for country of origin labels and choose celery from countries with stricter pesticide regulations when possible.
– Rinse all produce with a baking soda solution, which may help remove some pesticides.
– Avoid juicing the leaves of celery, which tend to have higher pesticide levels compared to the stalks.
Other Downsides of Conventional Celery
In addition to pesticide residues, there are a few other disadvantages to using non-organic celery for juicing:
– It may have lower nutrient levels. Research shows organic produce often has slightly higher vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content.
– It could contain traces of synthetic fertilizers. These may include nitrates and heavy metals which concentrate in celery juice.
– Lack of soil health benefits. Organic farming nurtures soil microbiome diversity and sustainability.
– More likely to be genetically modified. GMOs are not allowed under organic standards.
– Potential environmental impact of pesticides. Pesticide use harms ecosystems, pollinators, and farm workers.
Cost Difference Between Organic and Conventional Celery
One of the biggest barriers to buying organic is often the higher cost. Organic celery typically costs about twice as much as conventional celery. Here are some average prices:
| Celery Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Conventional | $1.60 per pound |
| Organic | $2.99 per pound |
Based on these prices, a 16 ounce glass of organic celery juice would cost around $2.24 to make. The equivalent juice from conventional celery would cost around $1.12.
Over the course of a month, if you drank a 16 oz celery juice daily, you’d spend approximately $67 on organic compared to $34 for conventional – a difference of $33.
Is the Extra Cost Worth it?
Whether it’s worth spending almost twice as much for organic celery comes down to your personal nutritional priorities and budget:
– If you’re on a very tight budget but want the health benefits of celery juicing, conventional may be your best option.
– If you’re concerned about pesticide exposure or want the highest quality, organic is likely worth the splurge.
– If you’re juicing celery occasionally or as part of a mix, conventional produce may be fine.
– If you’re doing a short-term intense celery juice cleanse, spring for organic.
– If you grow your own celery or can find it locally at a farm stand, you can often get organic quality for less.
The Bottom Line
Juicing non-organic celery allows you to reap some of the many nutritional benefits of celery for less money. However, it also means ingesting higher levels of pesticide residues. There are steps you can take to try reducing residues when juicing conventional celery.
Ultimately, it’s a personal choice whether to prioritize cost, nutrition, or pesticide avoidance when juicing celery. Your budget, health goals, and consumer values all play a role in deciding between organic and conventionally grown celery. Both provide advantages and disadvantages.
The best approach may be enjoying a balance of organic and conventional produce, while taking care to wash all produce thoroughly before juicing. Celery juice can be part of a healthy diet whether it’s organic or not, especially when combined with other nutritious fruits and vegetables.