So many health fads pop up all the time. The Neuliven Health team likes to look into them. Not only are we interested in them for ourselves, we like to tell our customers about them too. As a health and wellness company, we want to help our customers live their best healthiest lives. Sometimes it’s hard to tell great advice from flash-in-the-pan gimmicks. Today we’re looking at the science behind drinking much-hyped celery juice.
Celery has been branded as a superfood. The term always gives us pause. It is a meaningless buzz word. While healthy food can boost your body’s defenses and can give you many benefits, no one food can deliver swaths of instant health. Instead, it’s vital to create a diet built from many nutritious foods that can all work together to help you reach your goals.
Celery has high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. Additionally, the veggie is rich in vitamin K along with vitamins A, B-2, B-6 and C. Celery also contains reasonable amounts of fiber, folate, manganese, pantothenic acid and potassium. It has all of these nutrients while also being low in calories. The first thing that makes us doubt the “wonder product” nature of celery juice is that juicing removes fiber — something so beneficial for gut health and stead blood sugar levels. Whole foods are always better than juiced as you lose the useful pulp of the fruits and veggies.
A stalk of celery has seven calories, half a gram of fiber and less than one gram of sugar. While that’s not much sugar, the removal of fiber means none of it is mitigated, and the eater gets sugar stripped of fiber. It all adds up. An eight-ounce glass of celery juice has 70 calories and 11 grams of sugar — and that’s if you make it at home. Many versions available in stores have added sugar to combat the bitter flavor of celery.
People claim it’s helping a vast array of problems that seem too broad to be possible: asthma, sinus problems, IBS, exhaustion and migraines. While it isn’t dangerous, it’s cure-all status doesn’t quite seem to add up. “Drinking celery juice is certainly safe,” said Dr. Gabriella Safdieh of Parsley Health. “There isn’t much scientific evidence to show that juicing is any better than eating whole foods, though, and in fact, it may be worse. When you eat whole fruits or vegetables, you’re getting the benefit of the fiber, which helps move food through your system and helps feed the good bacteria in your gut.”
With celery’s healthful properties, it certainly can help your body to function well and may help protect you against medical problems. But, it doesn’t appear to be the best drink. Celery can be a great snack when dieting because of its satisfying crunch. Add a little peanut butter, and you have a delicious, nutritious snack with protein. Add some raisins, and you have the after-school classic of ants on a log, or you can use cheese and olives for a savory version. Celery is great in salads, soups and more.
However, celery can be bad for some people. For people who have skin that is particularly sensitive to sunlight, it can make UV rays more damaging. Additionally, some people are allergic and can have a severe reaction. And, with 30 milligrams of salt per stalk of celery, it may be a food to avoid for folks watching their sodium levels. Always speak to your doctor before making changes to your diet.
Hopefully, you’ll soon be adding celery to your kitchen staples. But, at least from the current research, it seems better to crunch this veggie than sip it!
