What happens if I drink celery juice at night?
Celery juice has become an increasingly popular health drink in recent years. Some people drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, while others prefer sipping green juice throughout the day. But what actually happens if you drink celery juice at night? Here’s a comprehensive look at the potential effects, benefits, and downsides.
Celery Juice Nutrition
First, let’s examine the nutritional profile of celery juice. Celery is 95% water, but the remaining 5% contains some important vitamins, minerals, and compounds:
- Vitamin K: 30% DV per cup
- Vitamin A: 15% DV
- Folate: 10% DV
- Potassium: 9% DV
- Vitamin C: 6% DV
- Magnesium: 5% DV
- Calcium: 5% DV
- Sodium: 5% DV
- Antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols
Celery is also very low in calories, with only about 10 calories per cup. It has a high water content and fiber, which can help with satiety and maintaining bowel regularity.
Potential Benefits of Drinking Celery Juice at Night
Here are some of the proposed benefits of drinking celery juice in the evening:
May promote relaxation
Some claim that celery juice contains compounds that have a calming effect on the nervous system. There isn’t strong evidence to support this, but anecdotal reports indicate the possibility.
Could help digestion
Drinking celery juice anytime may aid digestion due to its high water and fiber contents. Consuming it at night may support continued digestion and metabolism while you sleep.
May improve sleep
The minerals in celery juice like magnesium play a role in relaxation and sleep. There’s also a theory that drinking celery juice could boost production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.
Hydration
The high water content in celery juice could help you stay hydrated throughout the night.
Nutrient boost
Drinking celery juice in the evening provides a dose of important vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and folate right before bed.
Potential Downsides of Drinking Celery Juice at Night
On the other hand, there are also some potential cons to consider:
Possible laxative effect
Some people report loose stools or diarrhea after drinking celery juice, likely due to celery’s high fiber and water contents. This effect may be worse at night.
Contains natural sodium
While not extremely high, celery juice does contain some natural sodium. For those following low-sodium diets, this may be problematic, especially consuming it close to bedtime.
Increased bathroom trips
The diuretic effect of celery juice’s high water content could lead to more bathroom visits, which may disrupt sleep at night.
Stimulant potential
Celery contains trace amounts of tyramine, which could potentially interact with MAO inhibitors and cause high blood pressure. It also has natural phenolic compounds that may have a slightly stimulating effect.
Tips for Drinking Celery Juice at Night
If you want to try incorporating celery juice into your evening routine, here are some tips to make it go smoothly:
- Drink it 2-3 hours before bed to prevent disruption from needing the bathroom.
- Start with 4-8 ounces to assess effects.
- Avoid adding spices like ginger and lemon that could be energizing.
- Pair it with something soothing like chamomile tea.
- Use an easy-to-clean straw to protect teeth from juice acidity overnight.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after drinking to brush teeth.
- Set a reminder to drink water if you wake up thirsty during the night.
Who Should Avoid Drinking Celery Juice at Night?
While moderate celery juice intake is likely safe for most healthy adults, the following groups may want to exercise caution with nighttime consumption:
- Those taking MAO inhibitor antidepressants or hypertension medications, due to potential interaction with tyramine in celery.
- People with kidney problems or gout, as celery’s oxalate content may exacerbate issues.
- Anyone prone to needing to urinate frequently at night.
- Those who experience gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn, as the acidity could trigger symptoms.
- People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as insoluble fiber can exacerbate gut issues.
The Bottom Line
Here’s a recap of the key points on what happens if you drink celery juice at night:
- May provide nutrients, promote relaxation and sleep, and support digestion.
- But, could also cause laxative effects, frequent urination, and interactions for some medications.
- It’s likely fine in moderation for most healthy people, but some may want to exercise caution.
- Drink a small amount 2-3 hours before bed and stay hydrated overnight.
- Pay attention to your body’s signals and adjust intake accordingly.
As with any supplement, it’s best to start slowly and get your doctor’s okay if you have any concerns about potential effects on your health conditions or medications. Tracking your response over several nights can help determine if evening celery juice fits into your routine.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 10 |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Vitamin K | 30% DV |
| Vitamin A | 15% DV |
| Folate | 10% DV |
| Potassium | 9% DV |
| Vitamin C | 6% DV |
Overall, incorporating celery juice into your diet, whether in the morning or evening, can provide some benefits as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. But effects can vary individually, so tune in to your body’s responses if drinking it at night to determine if it aids or disrupts your sleep and health.