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by Nyssa LaClair, Certified Health Coach
We all want to know, is celery juice going to heal all ailments or are we facing a ‘fyre festival’ type phenomenon? You’re likely aware of the affect influencers can have on a specific trend, but is there any truth behind the claims that people are making (and hashtagging) about this green vegetable? From a health coach’s perspective, there are two major things to consider when recommending specific foods, supplements, or wellness activities. First, is there a well conducted scientific study backing the claim and second, is it right for everyone or just a few people?
According to the USDA, celery juice is comprised of Vitamins A,C,K and provides a good amount of flavonoids, potassium, and antioxidants (1). Like other vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli), celery’s phytonutrients make it insanely hydrating for your cells. In fact, some doctors feel that the benefits people are witnessing are solely due to extra hydration and other lifestyle changes that are generally inherited when people start juicing. Although doctors agree that celery’s make up of flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants are great for overall health, some are hesitant to conclude that juiced celery alone can do all that is has recently been claimed to do (especially given the fact that the prebiotic fibers are removed when celery is juiced).
On the other hand, NYT Best Selling author and inventor of the celery phenomenon: Anthony William (The Medical Medium) claims that drinking 16 oz of juiced celery on an empty stomach can promote healing for the masses. In an interview with MindBodyGreen, William explained that science has yet to support celery juice research because of the undiscoverable sodium subgroup components that form salt clusters in this vegetable (2). Other studies around salt have yet to investigate to this level of detail and there have been no funding initiatives to support the additional research. In his years of practicing this method of healing, William has claimed that these clusters of salt have the ability to kill off pathogens that people are exposed to regularly (i.e. bacteria, viruses, or microorganisms). Whether or not the salt clusters found in celery have the ability to completely kill of these unwanted pathogens, though, still remains a mystery to doctors and medical researchers.
The final consideration comes down to the individual. Health coaches are trained to understand the in’s and out’s of someone’s health history, lifestyle, and habit pitfalls. The best answer as to whether or not you should follow the celery juice cleanse is simply this: it depends. Although it is not something that can be backed by science, many individuals claim that it has helped clear up long term issues for them. The bottom line here: take the science for what it is and with permission from your MD, give it a try to see if it works for you. Admittedly, this one vegetable will not make you live forever, but it certainly may change the way you feel for the better.
About The Author
Nyssa LaClair is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who specializes in gut-brain health and is passionate about creating nutritious, real-food recipes. She is the founder of her own health coaching practice, The Wellnyss Co, and also co-founded a recipe sharing iOS app called ‘Want the Recipe’. She loves to study and share the science behind health and wellness topics and believes in creating a happy, fulfilled life through proper nourishment. Guided by a practical approach, Nyssa helps busy individuals improve their well-being and develop sustainable habits to live a healthy and balanced life.