Why do I feel sick after drinking celery juice?
Celery juice has become an increasingly popular health trend in recent years, with many claiming it provides a range of benefits like reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and detoxifying the body. However, some people report feeling sick after drinking it. There are a few potential reasons why celery juice may cause adverse reactions for some.
The High Fiber and Water Content
Celery is an incredibly high fiber vegetable. Just one cup of chopped celery contains 2 grams of dietary fiber, which is 7-10% of the daily recommended intake. While fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, suddenly increasing your fiber intake can shock the digestive system.
Drinking 16 ounces of pure celery juice in one sitting provides a very concentrated dose of fiber without the balancing effects of other foods. This spike can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain in some people as the digestive system struggles to adjust.
Celery is also 95% water. Consuming large amounts of watery fiber so quickly floods the digestive tract, which can trigger nausea, cramps, and vomiting.
Pesticide Residues
Celery is a very heavily sprayed crop. According to the Environmental Working Group, celery ranks among the top 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables commonly sold in the US.
Research shows that celery grown conventionally contains numerous pesticide residues. Consuming concentrated celery juice makes exposure to these contaminants much higher compared to eating whole celery stalks or chopped celery.
Exposure to high levels of pesticides may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain in sensitive individuals.
Oxalates
Celery contains oxalate, which are compounds that bind to calcium to form crystals in the body. Oxalates are found in many common foods, but celery is considered a high oxalate vegetable.
When you eat whole celery stalks, the oxalates pass through your digestive tract mostly untouched. However, juicing celery appears to increase the amount of oxalates your body absorbs.
In some people, oxalates can trigger pain, inflammation, and mineral deficiencies. Those with a history of kidney stones or gout may be at higher risk for adverse reactions.
Salt Content
Celery is naturally low in sodium. However, some recommend drinking celery juice made from celery that contains higher levels of sodium.
It’s thought that the sodium cluster salts in celery help fight infections and boost hydration. Yet, for those sensitive to sodium, the salt content may be too much.
Consuming too much sodium at once can cause nausea, headaches, cramps, and diarrhea. Those following low sodium diets should be especially mindful of celery juices made from high-sodium celery.
Histamine Intolerance
Celery contains low levels of histamines and other biogenic amines. For most people, this isn’t an issue.
However, those with histamine intolerance lack the enzymes needed to break down histamine properly. Even small amounts from foods can cause symptoms like itching, headaches, rashes, and stomach pain.
Since celery juice provides a concentrated source of histamines, it’s more likely to exceed thresholds and trigger unpleasant reactions in histamine intolerant individuals.
FODMAPs
FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols) are carbs that can be hard to digest for some people. Celery contains small amounts of the FODMAPs mannitol and fructans.
For most people, the FODMAP content of celery juice is not an issue. But for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), celery juice may trigger abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
When Should You Avoid Celery Juice?
Most people can drink celery juice without issues, especially in moderation. However, you may want to avoid celery juice if you have:
- Digestive issues like IBS, SIBO, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Gout
- Kidney stones
- Histamine intolerance
- Sensitivity to pesticides
- Sensitivity to sodium
Start slowly with no more than 4 ounces of celery juice per day if you’re trying it for the first time. This allows your body to adjust and reduces the likelihood of adverse reactions.
Tips to Reduce Side Effects
There are a few simple tips that can help minimize side effects when drinking celery juice:
- Drink celery juice diluted with water or coconut water. This reduces the fiber, oxalates, and sodium.
- Start with 1-2 ounces per day and gradually work up to 8-16 ounces.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Listen to your body! Reduce amount or stop drinking if you experience unpleasant reactions.
- Purchase organic celery whenever possible to reduce pesticide residues.
- Avoid juicing the leaves, as they contain more oxalates.
The Bottom Line
For most people, drinking celery juice should not cause significant adverse reactions, especially when consuming moderate amounts. However, some individuals may experience nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, headaches, or cramping due to the high fiber, water, oxalate, sodium, or pesticide content.
Start slowly, pay attention to how your body responds, and adjust the amount as needed. Avoid drinking celery juice if you have chronic health conditions like IBS, kidney stones, or gout. With a little trial and error, you can figure out if celery juice works for you.
| Potential Cause | Description | Who May Be Affected |
|---|---|---|
| High fiber content | Celery juice provides a large dose of fiber quickly. This can shock the digestive system. | Those with sensitive digestion or who don’t usually consume much fiber. |
| Pesticide residues | Celery has high pesticide residues. Juicing concentrates exposure to these contaminants. | Those with chemical sensitivities or impaired detox pathways. |
| Oxalates | Juicing appears to increase the bioavailability of oxalates, which can cause pain and mineral deficiencies. | Those with a history of kidney stones or gout. |
| Sodium content | Some claim celery juice should be made with high-sodium celery. This may be too much sodium for some. | Those following low-sodium diets or who are salt-sensitive. |
| Histamine intolerance | Celery contains low levels of histamines. Juicing provides a larger dose than eating whole celery. | Those diagnosed with histamine intolerance. |
| FODMAPs | Celery contains FODMAPs, which can trigger IBS symptoms when consumed in excess. | Those with IBS, SIBO, or other digestive conditions. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does celery juice cause diarrhea?
Celery juice may cause diarrhea due to its high fiber and water content, which rapidly increases stool volume and frequency. It may also trigger diarrhea in those with IBS or SIBO who are sensitive to FODMAPs.
Why does celery juice cause bloating?
The fiber, sodium, and FODMAP content in celery juice can cause bloating in some people. Those with conditions like SIBO may be more prone to bloating from compounds in celery they have difficulty digesting.
Is it bad to drink celery juice every day?
For most people, drinking celery juice daily should not pose significant risks, especially when keeping portions around 8 ounces. However, listen to your body and be mindful of pesticide exposure. Those with chronic health conditions should talk to their doctor first.
Should you drink celery juice on an empty stomach?
Drinking celery juice on an empty stomach maximizes absorption of its nutrients. However, be cautious at first as this may increase the likelihood of side effects. It’s often best to start with small amounts of diluted celery juice with food.
Does celery juice have caffeine?
No, celery and celery juice do not contain any caffeine. However, celery does have a diuretic effect to increase urination, which can mimic some effects of caffeine.
The Bottom Line
Drinking celery juice can cause adverse reactions in some people due to its fiber, water, sodium, oxalate, and pesticide content. Start slowly, dilute with water, and adjust the amount to your tolerance. Avoid drinking celery juice if you have chronic health conditions affecting digestion or kidney function.
When consumed in moderate amounts by otherwise healthy individuals, celery juice is unlikely to cause significant side effects. Pay attention to your body’s response and cease drinking it if you experience negative reactions.