(NewsNation) — Juicing has risen in popularity as a health trend in recent years, and one vegetable in particular has been lauded online for its perceived benefits in juice form: celery.
Celery is a nutrient-rich, low-calorie vegetable with several potential health benefits, including improved hydration and reduced inflammation.
But why have some taken an interest in celery juice, and what are the actual health benefits?
Health benefits of celery juice
Recent health trends, such as juice cleanses with questionable medical efficacy, have prompted some Americans to turn to juice as a quick and easy way to load up on recommended daily nutrients.
Celery juice has the most health benefits when it isn’t loaded with additives and extra sugar, as many store-bought juices are.
Some of the potential benefits of pure celery juice, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include:
- Hydration, which can lead to improved digestion and better kidney and skin health
- Reduced inflammation
- Lower blood pressure
- Overall high nutritional value
But all of these benefits, and more, can be achieved from simply eating celery.
Drawbacks of celery juice
While consuming celery in juice form can be convenient, it isn’t better than consuming the vegetable the old-fashioned way.
According to registered dietitian Amber Sommer from the Cleveland Clinic, “consuming it only as juice eliminates the fiber that your body needs to feel full and support a healthy gut.”
Additionally, popular claims online that celery juice detoxifies the liver or can heal chronic illnesses are anecdotal and not backed by science, according to Medical News Today.