Naomi Campbell. Robert De Niro. Pharrell Williams. And the star-studded list of celery juice fans goes on.
Long touted by Anthony William, a self-styled “medical medium,” the celery juice diet is one of the latest nutrition fads to trend in Hollywood and on social media.
What is The Celery Juice Plan?
Using celery juice as part of a detox or weight-loss diet starts with making 2 cups of celery juice to drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. William recommends waiting 15 minutes before having breakfast.
The Benefits of Celery Juice
Celery is a nutritious vegetable, and removing the fiber through juicing enhances its other components. Mostly water, celery juice is hydrating, low in sugar, and rich in vitamins C and K and other nutrients whose antioxidant properties fight free radicals in the body.
Celery, according to some studies, “may help reduce inflammation and boost cardiovascular health,” says Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, a licensed dietitian and consultant to the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute.
Aside from celery juice, the results of consuming different types of celery preparations in randomized, controlled trials and meta-analyses indicate that daily intake of 1,000 milligrams a day may help with blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and triglyceride levels. There is limited human clinical trial data on celery juice as opposed to celery seeds or celery extracts.
The Cons of Celery Juice
While juicing celery concentrates its mix of nutrients, the removal of fiber presents a problem: Fiber, says Kirkpatrick, “is what makes you feel full . . . and contributes to good gut health.”
Celery juice contains a high amount of the sugar alcohol mannitol, which attracts water to the digestive tract. So, “many people report experiencing digestive side effects like diarrhea after drinking celery juice,” says Rachael Link, MS, RD. While these effects are likely to subside, Link notes that people who already have bowel conditions may suffer more pronounced symptoms.
After the day begins with 16 ounces of celery juice, you’re on your own regarding the diet you follow the rest of the day; “specifics aren’t mentioned,” says Canadian dietitian Katey Davidson, MScFN, RD. “Research also associates juice cleanses with disordered eating and a negative relationship with food,” she adds.
Celery juice can be fairly high in sodium, which may be a concern if you're on a sodium-restricted diet or have high blood pressure. Be sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner before embarking on the celery juice diet if you have high blood pressure, kidney issues, or are on a low-sodium diet.
Summary
If you’ve been impressed by stories of dramatic weight loss from the celery juice diet, find out if the success is attributable to other factors, such as exercising and removing processed foods from the diet. And if you want to try celery juice, Davidson says, “be sure to drink it as part of a healthy diet.”
