What’s Trending in Health & Wellness?

People Are Talking About Celery Juice!

As a health coach, my clients often ask me about health and nutrition trends they read or hear about on their various news feeds and digital reads. Recently, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about celery juice, so I thought I’d provide you with a few of the latest reviews and research.

As always, please consult your physician or health practitioner before starting any new food, as some foods may have negative interactions with medication or other illnesses.

Anthony William, New York Times best-selling author of three books -- Life-Changing Foods, Thyroid Healing and Liver Rescue -- is credited as the first person to recognize the benefits of celery juice on the digestive system, liver and thyroid. However, over TWO decades ago, the New York Times reported that eating celery is an ancient remedy that studies in the 90s found promising as well. William says he has “seen thousands of people restore their health and eliminate ‘mystery illnesses’ by drinking 16 ounces of celery juice every day on an empty stomach.”

Many researchers and physicians agree. For example, according to Dr. Safdieh, in an interview with Parsley Health, celery has powerful antioxidants, which are known for decreasing the risk of cancer. Dr. Safdieh says celery also contains nutrients that can help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce blood pressure as well as blood sugar levels. Scientific research shows that celery contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, too.

Here are just a few of the benefits of drinking celery juice:

1. Improves digestion, reduces bloating. William credits the “concentrated cluster salts” in celery juice for its specific digestion and liver support. Cluster salts (different from mineral salts) help produce more hydrochloric acid in your stomach -– and he says that most people don’t have enough. Low stomach acid is often one of the culprits behind stomach distress like bloating, GERD, gas, reflux, and indigestion. Why? Because the stomach needs hydrochloric acid to break down protein. (If not broken down properly, protein can cause bloating, gas and what William calls “gut rot.”) Hydrochloric acid also kills off the “bad” or “unproductive” bacteria in the stomach.

2. Helps fight against viruses and bacteria. Hydrochloric acid is the hero here, too, known for killing common pathogens. Since the properties in celery juice help increase your body’s hydrochloric acid, your body becomes better at warding off disease and illness.

3. Detoxifies and improves the liver’s immune system. Celery juice increases and strengthens your bile, which is necessary to break down fats. And remember those cluster salts? According to William, “they bind onto toxins and help flush them from the liver.” Lisa De Fazio, MS, RD, and author of The Women's Health Big Book of Smoothies & Soups, adds that celery juice is a natural diuretic, which she says also flushes toxins from the body.

4. Provides essential minerals and vitamins. Celery juice is packed with minerals and vitamins, including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium; beta carotene, and vitamins A, K, C and B6.

5. Protects the heart. Celery juice contains a phytonutrient called 3-n-butyl phthalides, which helps increase blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Researchers from the University of Chicago Medical Center reported findings from lab experiments (using rats, not humans) that showed eating a small amount of phthalide daily lowered blood pressure by 12 to 14 percent and lowered cholesterol by 7 percent. The amount for humans equals about four celery stalks.

6. Reduces inflammation. Celery is packed with flavonoids, which are a natural anti-inflammatory. In fact, one study in 2012 discovered that juicing is an excellent way to get the benefits of flavonoids. According to World’s Healthiest Foods, celery also contains non-starch polysaccharides, including apiuman, which are also known for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

So that’s what’s trending about celery juice! Did it pique your interest?

If you want to discuss how celery juice might help you with symptoms and your wellness goals, let’s talk!