Celery Juice: Miracle Tonic or Total Scam?
Celery juice is having a moment. The buzzy beverage made its way into the wellness world thanks to Anthony William, author of Medical Medium, who claims the drink has the power to cure an array of ailments, including digestive problems, skin issues, migraines, PTSD, acne, fatigue, and autoimmune disorders.
According to William, celery contains “undiscovered mineral salts” that act as antiseptics, protecting the body’s cells from viruses and binding to disease-causing toxins. His prescription: drink 16 ounces of pure celery juice first thing in the morning as a means of cleansing the liver and healing the body. William suggests juicing celery instead of eating it whole because the fiber “will keep you from receiving the unique healing benefits of celery juice” and prevent you from being able to consume large quantities of the vegetable.
As registered dietitians, we assess nutrition trends with one key question in mind: What does the science say? In the case of celery juice, the science doesn’t say much. Of course like all veggies, celery serves up health benefits. One review published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine reported that celery positively affected blood glucose levels and increased the activity of the antioxidant glutathione in rats. Research on the advantages of drinking celery juice compared to eating whole celery, however, is lacking, and large-scale clinical trials assessing the effects of celery juice on autoimmune function, mental health, and digestive disorders have yet to be conducted.
The good news? Unlike other wellness trends (think: detox teas, the OMAD diet), drinking celery juice isn’t risky. While it probably won’t cure your Hashimoto’s thyroiditis like William promises, it’s also unlikely to have adverse effects on your health. If you’re interested in trying celery juice before breakfast, go ahead. The veggie is a good source of vitamin A, which is critical for cellular communication and growth, as well as immunity-boosting vitamin C.
One tip: If possible, opt for organic celery when blending the juice up at home or buying it out. Celery is on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list, which highlights the top twelve produce items with the most pesticide residue.
By Anthea Levi