It is rich in nutrients and is said to help with everything from easing constipation to curing autoimmune diseases. I’m talking about celery juice, that mysterious drink that celebrities, influencers, and your yoga instructor have been talking about nonstop. Fans of the juice say they drink 16 ounces in the morning (which is about the equivalent of one bunch of celery) to feel energized and ready to tackle the day. Curious to learn more? Here are the top 10 health benefits of drinking celery juice on an empty stomach.
1. Celery juice is full of nutrients
Celery juice is loaded with nutrients that nourish your body. These nutrients including folate, potassium, vitamin K, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, which are all beneficial for bone and muscle health. Celery juice also contains luteolin, which some call a “skin cocktail,” since it protects the skin from the inside and can actually prevent damage from UV rays. People who drink 16 ounces of celery juice every morning say that they notice an improvement in their skin health, including reduced acne and even cleared up psoriasis. Its vitamin A is one of the celery juice benefits for hair that can stimulate growth and make your hair shinier.
2. Celery juice can improve digestion
Ask anyone if they noticed a change in their digestive system after drinking their first 16-ounce glass of fresh celery juice, and they’ll likely tell you that they found themselves running to the bathroom. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as long as you’re prepared for it. Celery juice increases the circulation in your intestines, which can get things unstuck and out of your body. If you’re constipated, bloated, or feeling puffy all over, celery juice can help you release your intestines and act as a natural diuretic. (Knowing this, start drinking celery juice in small doses and on days when you don’t have to be out the door right away.)
3. Celery Juice is alkalizing
Our bodies are naturally alkaline, but, when we stuff them with unnatural processed foods, they can turn acidic. Some believe that cancer and other diseases thrive in an acidic environment. In order to improve your overall health, you should work toward making your body alkaline. Celery is an alkaline food, and so it can help your body become more alkaline. It could be beneficial, especially if you have a chronic disease.
4. Celery juice can fight infections
If you’re feeling sick or if there’s a nasty cold going around, celery juice could help you feel better. The compounds in celery juice have antimicrobial properties that have been shown to boost immunity and fight infections. If you’re prone to UTIs, celery juice might help prevent them or help them clear up faster. That’s because the compounds in celery have been shown to reduce uric acid while stimulating urine production.
5. Celery juice is anti-inflammatory
If you have a condition that causes chronic inflammation, like arthritis, asthma, Fibromyalgia, or Chron’s disease, you may experience some relief when you add celery juice to your diet. Celery is naturally anti-inflammatory and can reduce joint pain and even calm your nerves. It helps with setting you up to have a clear and focused mind for the rest of the day.
6. Celery juice can heal your gut
Gut health is a hot topic these days as researchers are uncovering more and more information about how the bacteria living in our gut impacts the way our bodies and minds feel and function. Celery juice is said to restore hydrochloric acid levels in your gut, which can help you digest foods more efficiently. By replenishing the acid levels in your stomach, celery juice can help our bodies digest without using up precious resources that can leave us feeling drained and fatigued.
7. Celery juice can prevent acid reflux
Acid reflux is painful and can make it hard to sleep, eat, or function. In addition to helping you digest food better, in lab tests, celery extract was found to successfully replenish levels of gastric mucus that can become depleted over time. This mucus can prevent painful conditions like acid reflux and ulcers. Just be sure to follow a healthy diet plan for the rest of the day.
8. Celery juice can lower blood pressure
You can get the benefit of lower blood pressure by drinking celery juice or by taking a celery extract. One study found that celery seed extract may lower blood pressure. It also concluded that more research needs to be done in this area. Anthony Williams (aka the Medical Medium) claims that celery juice can prevent high blood pressure, although there isn’t enough research to back that up (yet). The main takeaway here is that celery juice might help if you have high blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure, talk to your doctor before trying celery juice.
9. Celery juice can help you lose weight
Really, any type of juicing can help you lose weight. As long as you follow a regular healthy diet and exercise program it can be beneficial. It’s not enough to just have 16 ounces of fresh celery juice in the morning and eat whatever you feel like the rest of the day. However, starting your day with a healthy glass of celery juice could help you stay motivated to continue eating healthy all day long. And, because it’s lower in sugar than a lot of other fruits and veggies that usually make their way into juice, celery juice is a low-calorie option for morning juice that won’t make your blood sugar skyrocket. If that’s the case, then adding celery juice to your daily routine could be a simple way to help you on your weight loss journey.
10. Celery juice can improve focus
As a side benefit to having improved digestion, less bloating, and more energy from all those nutrients, a lot of people feel sharper and more focused after they drink a glass of fresh celery juice every morning.
Celery juice side effects
Of course, like anything that claims to be a miracle cure, there’s reason to be wary of celery juice. It’s not a miracle juice for everybody.
Allergic reaction
Some people are allergic to celery. Signs of a celery allergy include respiratory problems, a skin reaction (rash or itching are common), and digestive issues. In rare cases, some people could have an anaphylactic reaction to celery. Signs of this are rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, tight throat, sweating, dizziness, fainting, and abdominal pain. If you start feeling these symptoms after drinking celery juice, put your glass down and call your doctor immediately.
High salt content
For all its benefits, celery has one downfall—it’s full of salt. There are about 30 milligrams of sodium in one celery stalk. So, if you’re already on a low-sodium diet, introducing a salty morning juice to your daily routine could throw you off.
Digestive issues
It’s a blessing and a curse. You want to go, but maybe not quite so … abruptly. For some people, the impact celery juice has on their digestive tract is more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re finding that drinking celery juice is making your digestive tract miserable, but you still want the health benefits, try to eat celery throughout the day instead.
Kate Williams has a Ph.D. in English and freelance writer. She is also the CEO of People First Content, a…
