Healthiest Juice / Celery Juice

 

Health Benefits of Celery Juice 

Celery juice is full of nutrients that we know may boost health. Let’s delve into some of the solid science-backed benefits. 

1. Natural Hydration 

Being mainly water, celery juice is an excellent hydrating drink. Good hydration is vital for good health, helping regulate body temperature, blood pressure, brain function, waste removal, and kidney health. Choosing celery juice over sugary drinks may help boost hydration and general wellness. 

2. Low Caloric and Sugar Content 

Compared to many fruit juices, celery juice is relatively low in calories and sugars. This characteristic makes it a more suitable choice for those looking to maintain a healthy weight and manage blood sugar levels. Choosing lower-calorie and lower-sugar beverages may help improve overall dietary quality and support a well-rounded nutrient intake. 

3. Anti-inflammatory Properties 

Celery juice contains potent antioxidants like apigenin and luteolin, which have been shown to possess powerful anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds work to reduce inflammation in the body, which may be beneficial for individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, asthma, or even neurodegenerative diseases. 

4. Inflammation and Allergies 

Your doctor may prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms, but incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like celery into your diet may provide additional relief. 

A 2017 study in mice found that luteolin, a compound found in celery juice, could effectively reduce inflammation and lower allergic responses. While further human studies are needed, these results suggest that celery juice may prove helpful in combating inflammation and allergy-related conditions. 

5. May aid to deal with Arthritis 

Apigenin, another compound in celery juice, has been found to potentially reduce arthritis symptoms in animal studies. Though more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in humans, it appears that celery juice’s anti-inflammatory properties might help people with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. 

6. Neurogenerative Diseases 

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in celery juice might also protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Some studies suggest that apigenin and luteolin can protect the brain, hinting that including them in diet might slow down the progress of such illnesses. But we need more research to confirm these findings. 

7. Improves Gut Health  

Early research hints that celery juice could boost gut health. Some studies have found that plant compounds in celery juice, like luteolin and apigenin, might reduce gut inflammation. This could lead to better functioning of the gut and overall gut health. 

A lot of the fibre gets lost when you try to juice celery by using a juicer and this fibre is crucial for healthy digestion and maintaining a balanced gut microbiome. It might be wiser to eat celery whole or blend it in your juice to keep the fibre. 

8. Might Improve Cardiovascular Health 

Several compounds in celery juice might help promote heart health. They seem particularly useful when it comes to fighting high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

9. Helps Deal with High Blood Pressure 

Phthalides are compounds unique to celery and have been found to relax blood vessels. This improved blood flow may lead to lower blood pressure levels. More studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans, but including celery juice in a balanced diet may benefit people with hypertension. 

10. High Cholesterol 

Limited animal research hints that celery juice could cut cholesterol levels, possibly because of its antioxidant content. More research is needed in humans, but celery juice may boost overall heart health as part of a heart-friendly diet. 

11. Anticancer Potential 

The antioxidants in celery juice, including apigenin and luteolin, have shown anti-cancer properties in lab and animal studies. They might stop some cancer cells from growing and even reduce the spreading of cancer cells. But we need more research to understand their impact on humans.  

12. Fertility Support 

Direct research into how celery impacts fertility is sparse. However, the antioxidant-packed celery may boost male fertility markers. A diet rich in antioxidants has been linked to higher sperm count and better sperm motility, key factors for male fertility. This needs to be further investigated.  

HOW TO MAKE CELERY JUICE

To start, wash and chop the celery and the apples. You want to thoroughly wash both because you’ll be consuming them entirely when they go through the juicer. You can keep the leaves on the celery. Actually, that’s where most of the health benefits are! And you can keep skin on the apples for added fiber, but make sure to remove any seeds.

Next, you can start juicing by pushing the celery through the juicer. And you’ll see celery juice coming out of the spout while any tougher parts of the celery discarded in the bowl underneath the blade.

If you’re using any fruit to sweeten the celery juice, I found that it helps to alternate between the celery and the fruit so that the flavors incorporate well together. I love using green fruits like apples and pears.

The result is a homemade, clean, smooth celery juice. It will go straight into your bloodstream and give you an immediate boost of energy, hydration, and nutrition. If I had more time to clean my juicer every day, I would definitely be making it regularly. But since it’s not always practical, I recommend making it once weekly to reap as many benefits as possible from the celery juice.