Celery Juice – What Is It, What’s The Hype, What’s The Deal?

If you’ve been online recently, you’ve seen the blow up of this bright green drink only to realize its juiced celery.

Spoiler alert: it’s kind of old news, we’ve been using it in practice for decades. Did you know there was a celery soda made in the 60’s to help with belly issues?

But like anything with the internet, here it is, all green and shiny, in your face being marketed as the cure-all. Maybe it’ll even help your marriage.

With social media also comes the side you have to take: real or fake? Legit or trendy? In my world, placebo or medicinal?

So let’s clear things up, shall we?

Why people are on the juice:

• Promoted as helpful with digestion
• Increase stomach acid
• Decrease joint pain
• Reduce bloating, constipation
• Help liver detoxify
• Help clear skin
• Increases energy
• Boosts immune system
• Help with acid reflux

What does the science say?

Coming from a science background and working as an evidence-based practitioner, of course I wanted to know more. But who wants to fund celery research when we can make more drugs? Soo the studies are fewer than ideal. But here’s what it shows:

1. Celery contains powerful compounds such as luteolin, caffein acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, apigenin, tannins, saponins, and kaempferol that all contain antioxidant properties. This helps remove free radicals (bad guys) and support mitochondrial health.
2. Has been shown to decrease pain reaction in rats in numerous studies (AKA – may help with inflammation).
3. Shown to increase antioxidants, specifically glutathione, in rats treated with chemotherapy agents (AKA – more antioxidative effects).
4. Many animal studies show decrease in blood sugars in those with diabetes through the use of n-butanol extracts from the celery (AKA – potential treatment in lowering blood sugar, reduce diabetes meds).
5. Celery extract, specifically L-3-n-butylphtalide, has been used in pills for high blood pressure as it helps dilate the arteries (people use drugs for this).
6. A recent study showed the antioxidants in celery improved stomach lining and decreased ulcers in rats.
7. Another showed may help stop the growth of bad gut bugs (AKA – may be helpful in treating GI symptoms- which as we know, aid in immune function, overall wellbeing).
8. A recent study of rats also showed increase spermatogenesis (sperm count) in male rats.

Personal experience:

You may have seen this green drink on my Instagram stories as I do utilize it in my current lifestyle. I find it helps with bloating and gives me energy without needing caffeine. I picture it as close to an IV of nutrients so if I assume my cells are being well fed, I will feel good. I don’t do it daily for no other reason than laziness/lack of celery in the fridge. But I try to have it a few times weekly.

At this time, I can only provide anecdotal evidence of my patients who utilize it along with a personalized health plan from me, but they see much improvement in their GI symptoms as well as liver function.

Bottom line:

Like anything, there is no one-size fits all approach to your health.

Try it for at least a month before giving up, then make your decision.

If it fits into your lifestyle, great. If it’s going to make you want to pull your hair out, let’s think of another option.

Here’s info on How to Make Celery Juice
**Be sure you’re using organic celery**

I also like this juicer.

For the love of all things green,

Xo