Is Celery Juice Healthy? Here's What You Need to Know

Sorry, it's not a cure-all.

December 28, 2021

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Photo by: Detry26/iStock

Detry26/iStock

Celery juice is a bona-fide thing. With social influencers and celebrities like Pharrell and Busy Phillips swearing its benefits, the celery juice trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Should you jump on this new green juice train? Read this first.

Why Is Celery Juice Popular?

The celery juice movement is credited to Anthony William, a self-proclaimed medical medium who says that celery juice can help improve digestion, strengthen immunity and detox the liver. William, whom authored the book Celery Juice: The Most Powerful Medicine of Our Time Healing Millions Worldwide, claims that you have to drink celery juice alone, on an empty stomach to reap any benefits. It should be noted that William doesn’t have any medical degrees or scientific training, though he does boost an impressive following on social media.

Green smoothie with celery, spinach and apple in two glasses

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Green smoothie with celery, spinach and apple in two glasses

Photo by: rrvachov/Getty Images

rrvachov/Getty Images

Is Celery Juice Actually Healthy?

While celery contains essential nutrients like folate, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants, there’s nothing magical about celery compared to other green vegetables. Plus, there are no studies that back up Williams' claim that you need to drink it on an empty stomach. For what it's worth, eating celery, or adding celery to your favorite green juice recipe, would give you all the same health benefits as drinking it straight up.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Celery Juice?

A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic shows that celery seeds can help lower blood pressure, but eating the whole stalk (about 1 cup per day) showed more promise than juicing or taking celery seed extracts.

Additionally, another 2014 study showed that apigenin, a flavonoid found in parsley, celery and other fruits and vegetables may inhibit stomach cancer progression. However, this benefit isn't exclusive to celery as apigenin is a common flavone, found also in tomatoes, oregano, cherries, apples, leeks, broccoli and grapes.

The Bottom Line

There’s no denying the health benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Drink celery juice (or any other green juice) if you enjoy the flavor, but know that no single food will cure cancer, inflammatory disease or other promised cure.

Alex Caspero MA, RD, RYT is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Yoga Teacher. She is the founder of Delish Knowledge (delishknowledge.com), a resource for healthy, whole-food vegetarian recipes. In her private coaching practice, she helps individuals find their "Happy Weight."

*This article was written and/or reviewed by an independent registered dietitian nutritionist.

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