What is celery cucumber and carrot juice good for?

Celery, cucumber and carrot juice is a healthy and nutritious beverage made by juicing celery stalks, cucumbers and carrots. This tasty juice combination is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that provide many health benefits.

Nutritional Value

Celery, cucumber and carrot juice is low in calories and high in important vitamins and minerals. One 8 ounce glass provides:

• 45 calories
• 0 g fat
• 260 mg potassium
• 20 mg vitamin C (25% DV)
• 1 mg vitamin K (15% DV)
• 12 mcg folate (5% DV)
• 0.5 mg vitamin B6 (5% DV)

In addition, this juice contains beneficial plant compounds like lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene and quercetin.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health. Drinking celery, cucumber and carrot juice is an easy way to increase fluid intake and prevent dehydration.

Cucumbers are composed of about 96% water, while celery contains around 95% water. This makes these vegetables excellent choices for juicing to boost hydration.

One study in 20 young, healthy adults found that drinking 16 ounces of celery juice significantly improved hydration compared to drinking the same amount of bottled water.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that help defend against cell damage from free radicals. Celery, cucumber and carrot juice is loaded with antioxidants, including:

• Beta-carotene: Carrots are an excellent source of this antioxidant, which gives them their bright orange color. Beta-carotene helps support eye health and protects against certain cancers.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin: These antioxidants are abundant in cucumbers and carrots. They help prevent eye disorders like cataracts and promote healthy vision.
• Vitamins C and E: Found in celery and cucumbers, these vitamins neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to cells.
• Polyphenols: Celery contains flavonoid antioxidants like luteolin and phenolic acids that scavenge harmful free radicals.

Due to its stellar antioxidant content, drinking celery, cucumber and carrot juice regularly may help defend against chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Supports Heart Health

The nutrients and antioxidants in celery, cucumber and carrot juice promote heart health in several ways.

First, this juice is high in potassium, a mineral involved in blood pressure control. One study found that people with a high intake of potassium had a 27% lower risk of heart disease.

Celery, cucumber and carrot juice is also high in antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin C and flavonoids, which protect against oxidative stress that can damage blood vessels.

Furthermore, the folate, vitamin B6, potassium and phytonutrients in this juice may help decrease levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke when elevated.

Aids Digestion

Some evidence shows that drinking celery, cucumber and carrot juice could benefit digestion in several ways.

First, it’s high in water and fiber, which helps food move through the intestines and adds bulk to stool.

Test-tube studies also indicate that celery may boost digestion by increasing levels of certain enzymes involved in breaking down foods.

Specific compounds in carrots, including falcarinol and falcarindiol, are thought to stimulate the production of digestive acids and relieve congestion in the liver.

Supports Immune Function

Celery, cucumber and carrot juice contains many nutrients and antioxidants that support a healthy immune system.

Vitamin C helps protect against infection by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which are immune cells that work to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.

Vitamin C also enhances the function of phagocytes, immune cells that engulf and digest pathogens. Plus, this vitamin promotes the production of lymphocytes, immune cells found in the blood that help fight infection.

Meanwhile, beta-carotene has been shown to enhance natural killer cell activity, improving the immune system’s ability to clear virus-infected cells from the body.

May Protect Skin Health

The nutrients in celery, cucumber and carrot juice may benefit skin health in several ways.

Cucumbers are made up of about 95% water, allowing them to keep the skin hydrated and supple.

Carrots and cucumbers also provide vitamin C, which is important for collagen production. Collagen gives structure to the skin, helping maintain firmness and elasticity.

Vitamin C also has antioxidant properties that protect the skin against sun damage. Interestingly, one study had women drink 16 ounces of fresh carrot juice daily and found improvements in wrinkles and skin elasticity after 4 weeks.

Furthermore, the beta-carotene found in carrots acts as a natural sunblock. Consuming this antioxidant regularly may help prevent sunburn, cell death and dry, wrinkled skin.

Supports Eye Health

Drinking celery, cucumber and carrot juice benefits eye health due to its content of antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene.

Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the retina, the part of the eye that receives light. These compounds filter out blue light and protect against macular degeneration, a leading cause of age-related vision loss.

Studies show that higher intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin are linked to a lower risk of cataracts and late-stage macular degeneration.

Meanwhile, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, which is essential for good vision. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common causes of blindness worldwide.

Supports Liver Health

Some evidence suggests celery, cucumber and carrot juice may aid liver health.

Animal and test-tube studies indicate that Korean ginseng, an ingredient commonly added to juice blends, may protect liver cells against free radical damage and enhance antioxidant activity in the liver.

Additional research shows that Korean ginseng stimulates enzymes involved in detoxification, which may relieve congestion in the liver.

The vitamin K in this juice may also support liver function by increasing levels of proteins involved in blood clotting and bone metabolism.

Boosts Weight Loss

Some studies have found that celery, cucumber and carrot juice may promote weight loss.

Since this juice is low in calories yet high in hydration and nutrients, it can help reduce hunger levels while optimizing nutrition.

Drinking celery juice may also curb cravings and promote feelings of fullness. This is likely because it contains pectin, a soluble fiber that absorbs water and swells up in the gut.

Plus, celery is made up of about 85% water and also provides fiber, both of which aid weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness and decreasing calorie intake.

How to Make It

It’s easy to make fresh celery, cucumber and carrot juice at home. Simply juice the following ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers
• 4 medium carrots, peeled
• 4 celery stalks

For added flavor, you can also add a bit of fresh ginger.

Additionally, lemon juice is an excellent ingredient that adds a touch of sweetness. Many people also enjoy adding a green apple or two to increase the sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels.

If you don’t have a juicer at home, you can also blend all the ingredients together with a bit of water until smooth.

For best results, drink celery, cucumber and carrot juice immediately after making it to retain the most nutrients.

Potential Side Effects

Celery, cucumber and carrot juice is generally considered safe with very few side effects.

However, it does contain oxalates, which can contribute to kidney stone development when consumed in excess.

Consuming large amounts of carrot juice over long periods may temporarily turn the skin yellow or orange, known as carotenemia. This condition is harmless and resolves once intake is reduced.

It’s also best to stick to moderate portions, as drinking this juice in excess could result in an excess intake of nutrients like vitamin A, which may cause adverse side effects in high amounts.

Conclusion

Celery, cucumber and carrot juice is a nutritious beverage packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Drinking this juice regularly may benefit heart health, digestion, weight loss and more.

However, moderation is key, as consuming this juice in excess may contribute to kidney stones or carotenemia.

Overall, incorporating this powerful combination into a balanced diet can help protect your health and optimize your nutrient intake.