What is best to drink celery juice with?
Introduction
Celery juice has become incredibly popular in recent years, with many touting its potential health benefits. From claims that it can help with digestion, to reducing inflammation, to alkalizing the body – it seems like celery juice can do it all!
But while drinking straight celery juice on its own certainly has its merits, you may be wondering – what can I mix with celery juice to make it even more nutritious and tasty? Is there anything I should avoid mixing it with? This article will explore the best options for mixing and pairing with celery juice to enhance the experience.
Fruit Juices
Adding fruit juice to your celery juice can provide additional nutrients and flavor. Some great options include:
Apple Juice
Apple juice contains antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids. Combining apple and celery juice gives you a sweet, slightly tart flavor. The sugars in apple juice can also help balance out the salty flavor from the celery.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is packed with vitamin C, folate, and potassium. It also contains the antioxidant hesperidin. Paired with celery juice, you’ll get a tangy, refreshing drink. The citrus notes complement the earthy celery flavor.
Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. It also provides manganese and vitamin C. Together with celery juice, pineapple adds tropical sweetness and a kick of enzymes.
Fruit Juice | Key Nutrients | Flavor Notes |
---|---|---|
Apple Juice | Vitamin C, flavonoids | Sweet, slightly tart |
Orange Juice | Vitamin C, folate, potassium | Tangy, refreshing |
Pineapple Juice | Bromelain, manganese, vitamin C | Tropical, sweet, enzyme kick |
Vegetable Juices
For more green goodness, try mixing your celery juice with other vegetable juices. Some healthy options include:
Cucumber Juice
Cucumber juice is hydrating and provides antioxidants like vitamin C and caffeic acid. Together with celery juice, you get a refreshing, crisp blend. The mild cucumber flavor allows the celery to remain the star.
Spinach Juice
Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins A, C, K, folate, manganese, magnesium, iron, and more. Adding it to celery juice significantly boosts the nutrient density. The earthy flavors also complement each other.
Carrot Juice
Carrot juice contains vitamin A, biotin, potassium, and antioxidants like beta-carotene. Paired with celery juice, carrots lend a subtly sweet, root vegetable flavor. The juices balance each other out.
Vegetable Juice | Key Nutrients | Flavor Notes |
---|---|---|
Cucumber Juice | Vitamin C, caffeic acid | Refreshing, crisp |
Spinach Juice | Vitamins A, C, K, folate, manganese | Earthy, nutrient-dense |
Carrot Juice | Vitamin A, biotin, potassium | Subtly sweet, root vegetable |
Herbal Add-Ins
Herbs and spices can add another layer of flavor and health perks to your celery juice. Some to try include:
Parsley
Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin K. It has an herbal, slightly peppery taste that enhances celery’s fresh flavor.
Mint
Mint is known for its digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits. Adding it to celery juice gives you a refreshing, energizing boost. It also helps temper the bitterness.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice adds vitamin C and bright, citrusy notes. The acidity helps balance out the celery’s alkalinity. Lemon brings out the fresh flavors.
Ginger
Ginger can aid digestion and contains anti-inflammatory compounds like gingerol. The spicy warmth pairs nicely with cool, crisp celery juice.
Herbal Add-In | Key Benefits | Flavor Profile |
---|---|---|
Parsley | Excellent source of vitamin K | Herbal, peppery |
Mint | Aids digestion, anti-inflammatory | Refreshing, energizing |
Lemon Juice | Vitamin C, balances alkalinity | Bright, citrusy |
Ginger | Aids digestion, anti-inflammatory | Warming, spicy |
Healthy Additives
You can also blend celery juice with various healthy powders and supplements to further amplify the benefits. Some great options include:
Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is rich in protein, antioxidants, and minerals. Adding a teaspoon to your celery juice gives you a nutritious boost.
Matcha
Matcha is finely ground green tea leaves. It provides caffeine along with antioxidants like EGCG. Matcha has a pleasant grassy taste that works well with celery juice.
Collagen
Collagen supplements support skin, hair, nail, and joint health. Collagen peptides blend seamlessly into celery juice for a protein and amino acid boost.
Chlorophyll
Liquid chlorophyll can help purify the blood and has antimicrobial benefits. It has a mild spinach-like taste that complements celery juice.
Healthy Additive | Benefits | Notes |
---|---|---|
Spirulina | Rich in protein, antioxidants, minerals | Nutritious boost |
Matcha | Antioxidants like EGCG, caffeine | Grassy, pleasant flavor |
Collagen | Supports hair, skin, nails, joints | Protein and amino acid boost |
Chlorophyll | Purifies blood, antimicrobial | Mild spinach-like taste |
What Not to Mix with Celery Juice
While there are many healthy options for mixing and pairing with celery juice, there are a few ingredients you’ll want to avoid:
– Coffee or caffeine – Can overstimulate the adrenals and nerves.
– Milk or dairy – Dairy can congest the liver and interfere with celery’s cleansing benefits. Go for non-dairy milks like almond or oat instead.
– Fruit juice – While apple or orange juice in moderation is fine, avoid mixing large amounts of fruit juice which spike blood sugar.
– Greasy foods – Pairing celery juice with bacon, sausage, fried foods, etc. diminishes its digestive benefits.
– Smoothies – Blending celery juice into smoothies dilutes the benefits. Drink it on its own first, then have a smoothie after.
The key is to choose add-ins that complement celery juice without overwhelming it or interfering with its therapeutic properties. When in doubt, keep it simple by adding just a squeeze of lemon or sprig of mint.
Potential Benefits of Mixed Celery Juices
There are several reasons why pairing celery juice with other ingredients can be beneficial:
Enhanced Nutrition
Mixing juices and powders allows you to obtain a wider array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients in one drink.
More Palatable Flavor
Celery juice on its own has a potent, earthy taste. Adding fruits, herbs, and spices can make it more balanced and refreshing.
Strengthens Effects
Certain add-ins like ginger, chlorophyll, and matcha complement and compound the cleansing, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory properties of celery juice.
Additional Health Benefits
Ingredients like spirulina, collagen, and apple cider vinegar provide their own range of bonuses on top of what celery delivers.
Aids Consistency
It’s easier to commit to drinking celery juice regularly when you enjoy the taste. Mixing it up keeps you from getting bored.
Choosing the Best Combinations
With endless options for mixing and pairing, how do you choose the best combinations? Here are some tips:
– Go for nutritious add-ins that offer complementary benefits to celery juice, rather than undermining it. Things like spinach, matcha, parsley, ginger, and chlorophyll are great choices.
– Use high quality, fresh produce and organic supplements whenever possible.
– Play around with proportions to find a balance and flavor you love. Start with mostly celery juice and add small amounts of mix-ins.
– Be mindful of blood sugar spikes. Pair fruit juices with healthy fats and protein or keep portions small.
– Consider your own health goals and concerns. Choose add-ins that target areas you want to focus on.
– Rotate mix-ins daily or weekly to keep things interesting while getting a variety of nutrients.
– Listen to your body. Some ingredients may not agree with you. Avoid any that cause negative reactions.
Finding your perfect celery juice combinations is all about experimentation. Pay attention to how different mixes make you look and feel. Have fun playing amateur scientist in your kitchen!
Potential Downsides of Juice Mixing
While juice mixing has its benefits, there are a couple potential downsides to consider:
Makes It Less Potent
Diluting celery juice too much with other ingredients can reduce the powerful therapeutic effects that make it so beneficial on its own.
Risk of Oxidation
Blending different types of produce and juices together increases oxidation, which can degrade nutrients over time. Drink juice blends immediately.
Spikes Blood Sugar
Pairing celery juice with high glycemic fruits in large amounts can spike blood sugar levels. Moderate portions or balance them out.
May Cause Digestive Upset
Some combinations may be harder to digest for sensitive individuals. Watch for signs of bloating, gas, or diarrhea.
Higher Cost
Buying multiple juices, fresh produce, herbs, and supplements to mix gets expensive. Simple is often best.
The key is being mindful of proportions and listening to your body’s signals. When in doubt, simpler is generally better to harness the full benefits of celery juice.
Top Celery Juice Combination Recipes to Try
Ready to start experimenting with celery juice combos? Here are some tasty mixtures to whip up in your kitchen:
Orange Celery Reviver
– 1 cup celery juice
– 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
– Squeeze of lime
– Mint leaves
– Ice cubes
This citrusy blend is bright and refreshing. The orange juice balances the celery’s bitterness.
Green Apple & Ginger Booster
– 1 cup celery juice
– 1/2 green apple, juiced
– 1/2″ knob fresh ginger, juiced
– Lemon wedge
The kick of ginger pairs nicely with the crisp apple and celery juices in this digestion-boosting combo.
Peppery Parsley Punch
– 1 cup celery juice
– 1/2 cup parsley leaves
– 1/4 lemon, juiced
– 1/4 tsp black pepper
– Cayenne pepper (optional)
This savory juice gets an antioxidant boost from the parsley and black pepper. Add cayenne to turn up the heat.
Piña Colada Green Drink
– 1 cup celery juice
– 1/4 cup pineapple juice
– 1 tbsp coconut butter
– Collagen (optional)
Blend this up for a frothy, tropical drink. The coconut butter adds healthy fats and collagen boosts protein.
Green Lemonade
– 1 cup celery juice
– 1 lemon, juiced
– 6 spinach leaves
– 3 cucumber slices
– Stevia to taste
A dash of stevia balances out the tart lemon and spinach in this refreshing, electrolyte-rich blend.
Matcha Morning Energizer
– 1 cup celery juice
– 1 tsp matcha powder
– 1/2 banana
– 1 date or dash maple syrup
This gives you a caffeine boost along with potassium from the banana to start your day off right.
The Takeaway
While celery juice itself boasts many purported benefits, pairing it with antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, anti-inflammatory spices and herbs, probiotics, collagen, and more can maximize and amplify those bonuses. Finding combinations you enjoy drinking makes it simple to incorporate this nourishing beverage into your regular routine. Experiment away, tuning into how different mixes make your body look and feel. Cheers to better health!
Conclusion
In summary, celery juice makes an excellent base for healthy, nutritious juice blends. Pairing it with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and supplements can enhance the flavor, nutrient-density, and overall benefits you obtain. Focus on finding combinations that complement celery’s therapeutic properties without overpowering it. Pay attention to how your body responds as you discover ideal ratios and ingredients that agree with you and support your health goals. Drinking celery juice mixed with other nutritious ingredients makes it easy and enjoyable to harness this plant powerhouse on a regular basis. Bottoms up!