Celery juice has recently become a popular health beverage. Dr. Jingduan Yang, founder and medical director of the Yang Institute of Integrative Medicine, shared on the Dimensional Health YouTube channel that celery juice could help relieve constipation and maintain cardiovascular health. However, four groups of people should drink with caution.
Celery juice is high in fiber, which can increase satiety, promote nutrient absorption, protect the intestines, and aid in bowel movements. Drink unfiltered celery juice to obtain its full nutritional value.
The juice is low in sugar and calories. A can of soda contains approximately 150 calories, and the same amount of celery juice contains only about 50.
Yang further stated that celery contains antioxidants that can alleviate inflammation, preventing and treating diseases. Many diseases, such as thyroiditis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be caused by inflammation. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants, including celery, can significantly benefit overall health.
According to a research review published in Phytotherapy Research in December 2019, celery is rich in phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and flavonols, which can prevent inflammation. Flavonoids help inhibit cardiovascular inflammation.
Celery is also an essential source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese, which protect body cells and tissues from oxidative damage.
To make celery juice, Yang suggests cutting 3 to 4 celery stalks into small pieces, removing the leaves to reduce bitterness, and blanching them in boiling water to clean and reduce irritation before juicing. Blanching too long can damage the nutrients.
He also recommends adding nuts, dried fruits, and blueberries to improve the taste of celery juice.
Who Should Avoid Celery Juice?
People Taking Anticoagulant Medication
Celery contains vitamin K, which helps maintain normal blood clotting function. However, it isn’t beneficial for people who are taking anticoagulant medication.
People With Kidney Disease
Celery contains essential trace elements such as potassium and sodium. Patients undergoing dialysis or with kidney disease shouldn’t drink celery juice because their kidneys can’t metabolize potassium ions effectively.
People With Sensitive Stomachs
Celery juice contains resistant starch, which is fermented by microorganisms in the intestines. Drinking celery juice can cause bloating and diarrhea in people with sensitive stomachs or those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.
People With a Cold Constitution
Traditional Chinese medicine categorizes food as “hot” or “cold.” Foods that are cold in nature have a cooling effect on the body, and foods that are hot in nature can help warm it up. Celery is considered cold, so people with a cold body constitution shouldn’t drink too much raw celery juice to avoid exacerbating their condition.
Timing for Drinking Celery Juice
Many people are used to drinking celery juice before breakfast. Taiwanese nutritionist Xia Ziwen
wrote on Facebook that it’s more appropriate to drink it before dinner on an empty stomach to increase satiety.
Correction: The average amount of calories in a regular can of soda has been corrected.
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