Celery Juice BENEFITS! (But Is It Cele-Really All That Great?)
I don’t think there’s anyone who’s going to argue over celery juice benefits.
(Btw, that’s NOT celery juice, it’s Shakeology. 😉 )
I mean, celery’s high in vitamins A, B, C, K…as well as potassium and water that will keep your skin hydrated and glowing this winter!
And celery also has something called phthalides (don’t worry, I didn’t know how to pronounce it either), which literally helps your artery walls loosen up!
I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true, and it can help at least a little with combating clogged arteries and lowering your blood pressure!
“Sooo,” you say, your face twisting into a look of determined disgust…
“I guess I have to drink a glass of celery juice every day for the rest of my life. Eyuck!! I’m taking one for the team, body!”
Not so fast!
I know the vegetable juicing trend is pretty popular right now. Doctors are saying that their patients go on these vegetable juicing fasts, and lose a bunch of weight, and feel a lot better.
And sure, it makes sense that somebody would drop a lot of weight by getting all their daily energy from low-cal vegetables. And that would certainly turn someone’s health around if they were unhealthy in the first place.
But for the average Joe, a multi-day veggie juice “cleanse” is pretty dangerous, because if you’re just drinking vegetable juice you’re not getting enough fat and protein.
And don’t get me started on fruit juicing. The amount of SUGAR is insane!!
It’s such a drastic diet that is only necessary in extreme conditions.
(Like…Dr. Sandra Cabot, one of the best-known naturalist doctors who promotes the life-saving properties of juicing, mostly worked at a missionary hospital.
It makes sense that she would see results, like celery juice benefits, with malnourished patients.)
As for the rest of us, who are hopefully getting our vitamins…but are still worried about our immune system, our digestive health, heart health, fatigue, etc. …we need our veggies.
BUT there’s no reason to suffer through drinking bitter green drink after drink!!
The main arguments made for juicing your veggies over just eating them whole:
1. It’s easier on your digestive system
2. You’re consuming more veggies more easily
3. It “eliminates toxins”
First, let’s debunk #1. Some people argue that one of the celery juice benefits is that juice is more easily absorbed by your body, and gives your digestive system a chance to relax.
But unfortunately juicing REMOVES essential fiber that’s good for your heart and digestion.
Also, if you really want to give your digestive system a break, consider intermittent fasting. 😉
Now, #2, juicing allows you to eat a higher quantity of veggies. That’s technically true!
But with the GROSS TASTE (at least I think so!!) you have to wonder whether you’ll ACTUALLY be able to consume more veggies by juicing them, than by eating them whole. 😉
Last but not least, #3…this claim that one food alone “eliminates toxins” always bugs me!
In reality, diets can only provide you with healthy vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants.
It’s your BODY that’s able to eliminate toxins on its own!! Your liver, kidneys, and colon are your detox team. While eating healthy makes it EASIER for them to do their job…no FOOD is capable of “detoxing” you, per se.
So in summary, if you wanted to drink a glass of celery juice everyday, I certainly won’t stop you! You’ll get healthy vitamins, iron, and even that cool artery-loosening effect I mentioned.
BUT that’s nothing you couldn’t get from eating whole celery!!
There may be “celery juice benefits” in the sense that celery is good for you. The overwhelming consensus in the medical community is: juicing veggies is no better than eating them whole!!
So please, just eat some celery with almond butter and call it a day. 😉
Sources: