Those highly engaged in the wellness scene will be aware it can be an unusual place, with fad diets, strange new health trends and bizarre workout innovations at every turn.
From diets that ‘turn off hunger’ to claims that tequila aids weight loss, it can be really hard to know how to separate the pseudo from the science. Case in point? Celery juice.
With the rising trend boasting an alleged myriad of benefits, from weight loss to a cure for some chronic illnesses, it certainly sounds like the Holy Grail of health.
In order to get to the bottom of it, we consulted and dove deep to find out exactly what celery juice does to the body and where the whole obsession got started in the first place.
Where Did The Celery Juice Trend Come From?
New York Times best-selling author Anthony William, better known as the ‘Medical Medium’, is the one responsible for the celery juice craze. Contrary to his alias, William is not actually a licensed medical doctor.
Despite his lack of official qualifications, William has a 1.7 million strong following on Instagram and counts the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Campbell and Rashida Jones as fans, all of whom have endorsed him along the way.
What Are The Supposed Benefits Of Celery Juice?
When it comes to celery juice, “detox” and “weight loss” are two of the biggest claims floating around.
According to William, the key benefits of celery juice, when consumed “correctly” include: Lowered inflammation, weight loss, improved digestion, minimised bloating, improved eczema and psoriasis, immune-boosting activity, strong ability to fight infections, UTI prevention, acne healing, stable blood pressure, lower cholesterol, ulcer prevention, lowered anxiety and depression, and better liver health.
Does Celery Juice Really Help You Lose Weight?
“Just like any quick fix, or miracle cure, if it seems too good to be true, it likely is,” Bondi-based dietitian, Marika Day, told Harper’s BAZAAR Australia.
“Unfortunately, a drink cannot make you lose weight. The only way to truly lose weight is to ensure you aren’t eating in excess of what you burn on a daily basis. If a juice helps you to maintain a calorie deficit, it could possibly aid. Aside from that, there is no basis for a juice, whether it’s celery juice or any other juice, to cause weight loss.”
Does It Have Any Actual Benefits?
Still sold on celery? All hope is not lost. However, many of the benefits that come from celery are lost in the juicing process, indicating that consuming the vegetable in its whole food form may be the way to go.
Additionally, Day emphasised that many of celery juice’s key health benefits have the potential to become detrimental when it’s consumed to excess, or when other medications or existing conditions are present.
“Obviously, celery being a vegetable isn’t bad for you, but the dose used in the juice is quite high and can have negative effects in some people. Celery is 96% water so it’s hydrating, if nothing else, and is a great source of folate and vitamin k, which can be a problem for those on blood thinners,” Day told BAZAAR.
“Celery also contains some fermentable carbohydrates which can be beneficial for the gut, however when consumed in excess, will cause bloating and diarrhoea. Aside from that, juicing celery removes the fibre, which is one of their great benefits. All in all, I’d say eat your celery, drink it if you wish, but don’t do so thinking it’s a miracle cure.”
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