Celery juice is a great way to add a wealth of nutrients to your day. It’s light, refreshing, and healing. It gives you energy without adding too many calories into your diet. Many people enjoy the taste and the benefits it provides.
Keep reading to learn more about the nutritional information and benefits of celery juice.
Celery juice nutrition
A glass of celery juice only has about 40 caloriesTrusted Source. It contains the following important nutrients:
- vitamins A, K, and C
- beta carotene
- flavonoids
- phytonutrients
- calcium
- iron
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- potassium
Celery juice health benefits
Remember that celery juice won’t contain the beneficial fiber that the raw, unjuiced vegetable has. However, celery juice is a great way to stay hydrated since it contains mostly water. Here are five of the ways that celery juice can benefit your health:
1. Lowers blood pressure
StudiesTrusted Source have shown that celery seed extracts have anti-hypertensive properties. Celery contains a phytochemical that relaxes the tissues of the artery walls. This causes increased blood flow and may lower blood pressureTrusted Source.
2. Protects against chemotherapy effects
Active components of celery* can alter the effect of certain drugs. An animal study from 2009 found that celery juice had protective effects when used with doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug used to treat cancer. Consuming celery juice had a positive effect on doxorubicin treatment and reduced damage from free radicals. It protected against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants.
3. Prevents chronic diseases
Celery is one of the main food sources of flavonoids. Scientists are looking into the relationship between flavonoids and the prevention of chronic diseases. Further research is needed, but one study from 2014 found that a flavonoid isolated from celery had antioxidant activities that have a beneficial effect on health. The flavonoids were tested in vitro (using samples in a lab) and in mice. The antioxidant activity took place in the heart, liver, and kidney of the mice.
4. Minimizes oxidative stress
Another study found that flavonoid extract from celery minimized oxidative stress in rats. The oxidative stress was caused by an insecticide.
5. Has anti-inflammatory properties
Flavonoids found in celery have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. A study from 2012 looked at the effect of juicing on flavonoids in particular. The results showed that juicing is an effective way to consume flavonoids.
How to make celery juice
Making celery* juice is simple. You’ll need:
- 2 to 3 fresh stalks of celery
- a juicer or a blender
- a sharp knife
Clean the celery and remove any leaves. Press the stalks through the juicer. Drink the juice fresh.
You can use a blender if you don’t have a juicer. Once you have blended the celery stalks into a puree, you can use a cheese cloth or strainer to filter out the pulp.
You can add a few ice cubes or drink it closer to room temperature. Juice is usually best consumed fresh, but you can store some for later. Cover it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Try using different herbs and spices to add zest to your drink if you want to liven it up a bit. Some people recommend drinking celery juice on its own, but you can also experiment with adding different fruits and vegetables, such as cucumber, mint, or lime.