Miracle drink of the year: celery juice! Who hasn’t seen somebody post about drinking this so-called magic concoction every day? These posts are all over Instagram, and I’ve just got to the bottom of it. I mean, does drinking liters of celery make a difference to your well-being? It’s amazing how such an average, nothing-special vegetable can make it to the top of the ranks on social media in such a short space of time. Maybe there is some truth in it.
Are any of you familiar with common hashtags like #healing, #miracle, and #foodasmedicine? Reports state that this new health obsession on Instagram has got everyone believing that celery juice is the fountain of youth. Not only this but it’s also a miracle cure for cancer. To be honest, the vegetable doesn’t exactly have the greatest taste, and it’s nothing more than an old-fashioned vegetable. Yet there’s this massive hype about it being a miracle drink once it’s been juiced up. So there’s got to be some truth to the hype, right?
In fact, I was never really a fan of celery until I started reading about its many health benefits. And even then, I still don’t love it, but I’ll eat it. Amazing how easily we are influenced. Ironically, even qualified dieticians and nutritionists have never really emphasized celery as the food you should be eating – which is why it’s questionable as to why people are embracing it so much now.
Celery Juice: Miracle Drink Or Not?
I’ve never really thought much about the vegetable except for the times I need to add some substance to a vegetable soup or require a low-calorie snack. However, the world is raving about its positive effects on their bodies, and they’re drinking it daily. So, what am I missing? There’s no doubt that celery is good for you, but is it really life-changing?
Interestingly, there is quite a bit of research and study behind the topic. For example, a Medical Medium Anthony William on Instagram pretty much endorses drinking celery juice! He states that the drink can heal eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Apparently celery juice also reduces bloating, fights autoimmune disease, tackles acid reflux, and eradicates bacteria and viruses.
So far it sounds really amazing, and it’s no wonder everyone is jumping on board this boat. There are also people who claim that celery contains ‘detoxifying properties that cleanse the body of all germs and toxins.’ This all sounds wonderful, but there is no such thing as being able to go on a detox because your body detoxes itself naturally through your kidneys. That’s where the line gets a bit blurry.
Although some of these claims are a bit far-fetched, there could be some truth to them. I’ve even seen images on Instagram of ladies who have experienced terrible acne outbreaks, who now have smooth and radiant skin after drinking celery juice daily. Whether these images are real, that is rather amazing! Scrolling through Instagram, you’ll find thousands of bloggers who state that celery juice on an empty stomach first thing in the morning has led to weight loss, improved digestion, and even ‘a feeling of Zen bliss.‘
Thankfully, Greatist also had questions about the truth about these claims and helped me get some answers to share with you all today. How do we get to the bottom of these claims?
This Is What The Experts Discovered
The issue is that there are health and fitness influencers with massive followings on social media. And because of that, they can make one claim and their followers will believe their opinions immediately. It’s like we are all sheep. Be careful of this and remember to do your homework before allowing yourself to be influenced straight away.
Influencers like Anthony William who have millions of followers, have immense power, but no medical or nutrition degrees. Try not to absorb everything as it comes. Dig deeper. Look for science and speak to professionals first. Celery juice is not necessarily the be-all and end-all to your ailments.
Experts explain that there isn’t really any kind of nutrient inside celery that can make it more beneficial than eating a carrot or some broccoli. However, it does contain large amounts of vitamin K, which helps prevent blood clots and improve bone density. The ‘miracle drink’ also contains small amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. Originally people only used the vegetable because of its extremely low-calorie profile of 16 calories per cup. Therefore, it’s no different from other vegetables. Plus, when you compare it to other veggies, celery has a low fiber content. Moreover, it lacks other nutrients you might hope to get in a vegetable, like magnesium or calcium.
Erin Palinski-Wade, a dietician, says that celery is rich in flavonoids just like many other veggies. She says flavonoids are known to help fight against chronic disease and may ward off inflammation. Studies also claim that celery is high in antioxidants, which may help prevent cell damage and protect against chronic disease.
The Miracle Drink
Okay, so I think we have established that the vegetable isn’t bad for our bodies. But, why do we need to drink it when we can simply eat it? Experts say that eating celery will provide you with the same phytochemicals and flavonoids that it would when you drink it. Therefore, the only reason you’d drink it is that liquid means more at once since it goes down easier than crunching away at the vegetable. You’d be consuming all its nutrients in larger quantities by juicing rather than eating large quantities of celery daily.
Health experts state that juicing anything has a downside because you’re breaking down all the important fibers in the vegetable. The fibers are what help you feel full. Moreover, chewing your food is more satisfying than drinking it. In addition, research says vitamins A and K found in celery are fat-soluble. This means that eating them with fat will help your body absorb them.
So, is drinking this miracle drink really that good for you?
There’s No Quick Fix
This is what it comes down to. No matter what, you won’t be able to sort all your problems out with one thing. If you enjoy celery juice every morning then drink it, because it won’t do you any harm. But if you hate it, forget about it and move on.
If you think you’ve experienced changes from it, that’s good, but experts won’t be convinced that easily. Everybody responds uniquely to food. Therefore if you feel celery juice gives you more energy, reduces bloating, or clears up your acne, then that’s amazing! I still think that the placebo effect could play a major role in this, but if it helps to treat some of your problems, then it’s not a bad thing either.
Doctors explain that there are no harmful side effects to drinking celery juice, and it may provide some health benefits. However, if you experience any discomfort while drinking it, then stop it! Don’t continue because your friend Suzy is doing it on Instagram. Eat what works best for you and what you love most…
All in all, there’s no reason to stress about downing celery juice every morning on an empty stomach or spending money on a juicer. If you’d like to get healthier, then stick to eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables. You won’t fix things by drinking celery. Call me old-fashioned, but achieving better health means sticking to simple, common-sense principles and less to social media trends.
