Celery Juice Health Benefits: The Perfect Super food for Juicing

Celery juice benefits are the latest big noise in the superfood juicing arena.

It received a lot of attention because of all the claims from users stating that, if consumed in the right way, it helped them clear the skin, ease digestion, boost energy and many other health benefits.

What’s The Right Way To Take Celery Juice?

It’s recommended to take about 16 OZ of celery juice, every morning, on an empty stomach.
Make your juice without any other ingredients, Just plain celery, preferably organic, and water. Juiced in a juicer or Blended and strained.

How to make Celery Juice?

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Choose straight and rigid stalks with leaves that are not yet yellow or wilted and wash them thoroughly.

• Trim the tip and tail except for the leaves.
• Cut into 1-inch stalks.
• Add ½ cup of water in the blender.
• Add the celery.
• Blend at low speed. Add more water if the content is too thick for the blades to blend.
• Strain the content into a pitcher using a cloth or milk nut bag.
• Squeeze all the remaining liquid content in the strainer until the liquid stops dripping from it.

To make sixteen ounces of juice, you will need roughly one large bunch of celery.

Precautions

• When consumed on empty stomach you will feel the urge to use the restroom. So don’t take it in situations where you can’t access the restroom.
• Celery is naturally rich in water and acts as a natural diuretic, so those with kidney problems should consume it moderately or risk straining their kidneys even more.
• Celery juice and pregnancy don’t go well together and should be consumed in moderation. Pregnant women should not eat too much celery due to the risk of uterine contractions or bleeding.

But, what makes celery such a powerful superfood?

Let’s take a look:

Health Benefits of Celery Juice

Celery juice is a great way to boost your nutrient intake and equalize the body’s pH levels.

• Anti-inflammatory – According to a rat study conducted at the University of Illinois – Urbana, Champaign and published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the flavonoid, luteolin, in celery can prevent the production of inflammatory molecules in the body. In this study, luteolin was found to slow down neurodegenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s. The catch was that you need to eat a lot of celery to achieve the same results as in the study. (1)
  Regular intake of celery can also help people suffering from inflammatory ailments like arthritis, asthma, gout, and osteoporosis. Again, luteolin, and this time, polyacetylenes are abundant in celery for preventing inflammation. Luteolin has potent anti-inflammatory properties of certain enzymes in the body that trigger inflammation. Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that luteolin can help manage inflammatory disorders like asthma by blocking NF-kappaB and the pathway activation of the AP-1 in alveolar macrophages of lab rats, thereby resulting in inflammation suppression. (2) Also, polyacetylene reduces inflammation by decreasing the prostaglandin level in the body. Some studies also suggest its chemopreventive property. (3)
• Reduce cholesterol levels – The Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology Journal published a study in March 1996 that rats with high cholesterol levels received celery extracts, resulted in low serum cholesterol levels than that of the control. The same thing was observed in aqueous celery extract. Lab rats that were fed a high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia over a course of eight weeks and were given aqueous celery extract experienced lower serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after the experiment. (4)
• Lower blood pressure – Celery is a natural source of phthalides. Phthalides relax heart muscles facilitating normal blood flow. Also, the 3-n-butyl phthalide in celery reduced the blood pressure of lab rats by 12 to 14%. This superfood is also rich in important minerals with blood pressure-lowering effects such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The Journal of Medicinal Food published a recent study in 2013 suggesting the blood pressure lowering effects of celery seeds in rats induced by hypertension. (5)
• Anticancer and antioxidant properties – Celery contains phenolic acid, a compound that inhibits prostaglandin, thereby preventing the growth of cancer cells. Also, celery contains coumarin, a compound that prevents free-radical damage, consequently protecting the cells from oxidative stress and damage. Indeed, celery is a rich source of plant-based flavonoids that are potent antioxidants.
  Another study on dietary flavonoids apigenin and luteolin suggests the two boost the cancer-fighting effects of chemotherapeutic drugs against pancreatic cancer, thereby preventing cancer. These two substances are present in celery, which support celery anticancer properties. (6)

Other Celery Juice Benefits

• Boosts the immune system
• Cleansing and detoxifying
• Skin benefits
• Recovery juice
• Sleep enhancer
• Helps prevent kidney stones
• Aids in digestion
• Reduces migraine
• Relaxes the nervous system
• Curbs the appetite and promotes weight loss

Celery Juice Nutrition

Celery leaves are rich in vitamin A while its stalks are rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C as well as important minerals like calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and essential amino acids.

Juicing celery releases the nutrients in the fiber, thereby helping bowel movements. Unlike other veggies that are available, celery retains its nutrients even after cooking.

What is Celery Plant?

Scientific Name: Apium graveolens

Celery is a marshland vegetable belonging to the Apiaceae family together with fennel, parsnip, parsley, and many others. The leaves and stalks can be eaten as they are in raw form or added to dishes to be cooked depending on the type of celery used. The seed is also used as a spice and celery extract works as a medicine. Regardless of the type, all parts of the celery, the leaves, stalks, seeds, and roots are rich in essential nutrients that can boost one’s health.
It also provides that added crunch and salty taste that liven up any meal.

This cool-weather crop has high water content, which requires celery to be planted in fertile and moisture-rich soil and in places with cold winters.

There are different types of celery. Among the most common types are the celeriac (root celery) and the leafy celery that has a strong resemblance to parsley. Celeriac can be identified by its large root ball and has a somewhat nutty taste. Both are consumed as main plate veggies but seldom added in soups or salads. It can even be eaten as it is if you don’t have the time to make salads, soups, or stir fry it. A little dip is all you need and your meal is all set.

Celery is now grown in different parts of the world making this superfood one of the most widely-consumed vegetables worldwide. In the U.S., the states of California, Florida, and Michigan produce 80% of the country’s celery supply each year.

Some Other Celery Nutrition Facts

Whether eaten raw or cooked, celery contains the following vitamins, minerals, and nutrients:

• Vitamins A, B2, B3, B5, B6, C and K
• Calcium
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sodium (organic salt)
• Flavonoids (beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin)
• Flavonols (kaempferol and quercetin)
• Antioxidants (natural phenolic dihydrostilbenoids e.g. lunularin; furanocoumarins e.g. bergapten and psoralen)
• Terpenes (volatile oils found in celery seeds)

Like other important green and leafy superfoods, celery is low in calories but exceptionally rich in fiber.

So, if you want to feel full without any extra calories, typically found in the junk food you usually eat, snack on some celery and start looking good as you nourish your body from within.

How to make Other Refreshing Celery Juices?

When buying celery to be used for juicing, choose those with crisp leaves and stalks. Avoid those that appear rubbery or wilted. Green celery is better because it is a rich source of chlorophyll.

Now, here some of my favorite celery juice recipes:

Celery and pear juice

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Ingredients:

• 2 celery sticks
• 1 apple or pear
• ¼ lemon or lime
• ¼ inch ginger

Preparation:

• Wash the celery and apple.
• Cut the celery into long pieces.
• Peel the apple. Then, core and cut it into slices.
• Put everything in the juicer except the lemon.
• Collect the juice.
• Discard the pulp.
• Squeeze the lemon in the juice.
• Stir and serve.

Benefits:
Celery juice caloric content is very low and it’s rich in fiber ideal for people trying to lose weight.

Sweet Celery Juice Cleanse

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Ingredients:

• 5 celery stalks
• 1 apple
• 1 small beet
• ½ small head Bok Choy

Preparation:

• Wash the ingredients, cut and add into the juicer.
• Collect the juice and discard the pulp.
• Serve.

Benefit:
Enjoy a sweet celery juice cleanse and all its health benefits with a mellow celery taste, not the usual celery juice’s bitter taste not liked by some.

Carrot, Apple, and Celery Juice

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Ingredients:

• 2 celery stalks
• 4 carrots
• 1 apple
• ½ lemon

Preparation:

• Wash and cut the fruits and veggies.
• Add them into the juicer.
• Collect the juice.
• Squeeze the lemon on it.
• Stir and serve.

Benefit:
Enjoy an alkaline and antioxidant-rich juice that boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, fights inflammation, regulates blood sugar levels, and much more.

Celery Juice Side Effects

Unknown to some, celery is an allergen that can trigger an allergic reaction, a potentially life-threatening condition. If you have other plant allergies, you may be allergic to celery too such as with mugwort or birch pollen. Its symptoms are rashes, stomach upset, dizziness, and swelling of the throat, tongue, mouth, and the face. Anaphylactic shock can result from a severe celery allergy and is characterized by lightheadedness, difficulty in breathing, and rapid pulse, and low blood pressure.
The furanocoumarins in celery result in photosensitivity.
Another celery juice allergy causes rashes, itching, and skin irritation from the chemical, psoralens, which is found in the plant. It is celery’s own natural pesticide to help fight off fungi, so wash it thoroughly before eating it or be wary of any allergic reactions.

Conclusion

If you value your health, make an effort toward eating right and living a healthy life. Your body goes through a lot each day, so the least you can do for it is feeding it the right food that will help each part of the body do its job.

Superfoods like celery may be a popular trend right now, but it shouldn’t be a trend at all. For thousands of years, people have relied on it for medicinal help and proper nutrition. It should be a staple in our lives, not just a passing fancy that you try because many others are also doing it.

Other Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.whfoods.com/
http://foodfacts.mercola.com/
http://www.naturalnews.com/
http://juicing-for-health.com/
http://www.doityourself.com/
http://www.webmd.com/
http://www.livestrong.com/
https://www.healthambition.com/
http://foodviva.com/
http://www.rawjuicecleanserecipes.com/
http://thehealthyfamilyandhome.com/