Could Celery Juice Be the Next Health Miracle?

Celery juice has been gaining popularity, but is it really what it’s cracked up to be? Goop is a modern lifestyle brand and they call it a “miracle potion.” They go on to say it is “one of the greatest healing tonics of all time,” with more than 67,000 #celeryjuice posts on Instagram.

It honestly depends who you listen to.

Celery juice could be seen as just another “superfood” sprinkled in marketing sensationalism like goji berries and chia seeds, or you will have professionals talk about how it reduces inflammation, improves your gut health, removes toxins and bloating, and it could even heal eczema.

Related - Drink Your Fruits and Veggies

"There are currently no scientific studies or authorized health claims to back up a lot of what is being said," says registered dietitian Helen Bond.

"Also, it’s a juice, so in terms of getting your five-a-day, a 150ml glass will only count as one of your portions. As well as removing a lot of the fiber, juicing also frees the sugar from its cells, so you end up with more naturally occurring sugars."

Gabriela Peacock is a nutritionist who worked with the Duke of Sussex in the lead-up to his wedding and she’s been noted saying "Celery juice has been known to have anti-inflammatory properties due to phytosterols [plant chemicals].

So this may help those with digestive issues such as IBS. It also contains vitamin K, which is needed for good bone and heart health, and vitamin C for immunity and skin health. Lastly, its diuretic properties may help with water retention and high blood pressure.”

She goes on to say her view of greens are good, but she would advise eating a variety of veggies to get the full benefit of plant chemicals and antioxidants.

“The real power is in the mix,” she says.

6 Tips to Eat More Greens

It can be hard to come up with new ways to eat vegetables. The trick comes down to being adventurous. Here are a few different ways you can get more greens and veggies into your diet.

#1 - Wrap It Up

Instead of using a flour tortilla, try wrapping your favorite ingredients like taco meat or stir-fry into some trimmed collard or Swiss chard leaves. You can use these wraps as a burrito. Soften the leaves by blanching them in a saucepan of boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds.

Lettuce doesn’t pack the same nutrients as other greens, but it can work for a low-calorie alternative.

#2 - Blend It Up

Pureeing a handful of raw or frozen pre-cooked greens into a fruit or green smoothie adds a lot of nutrition without filling you up. Make a green juice by blending some Romaine lettuce, kale, cucumber, green apple, and ginger.

#3 - Use a Sauce

Try stirring some chopped or baby greens into a tomato-based pasta sauce. Adding them in towards the end of cooking will start to make the greens wilt and become tender.

Try some baby spinach or chopped rapini in a pasta dish.

#4 - Sauté

I love to stir-fry or sauté. Try adding chopped kale, Swiss chard, collards, mustard, or beet greens into your pan with some garlic and red pepper flakes. Drizzle with some lemon juice and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese or roasted sesame oil for a more Asian-inspired dish.

#5 - Soup it Up

If you don’t want to spend time crafting some soups, buying a soup to add to it is the next best thing. Find some soups that you like and fortify that soup with some chopped or baby greens.

#6 - Toss it Up

If your usual is Romaine or leaf lettuce, try mixing it up. Toss in some dandelion greens, baby arugula, chopped kale, or chopped beet greens into your mix.

Instead of opting for a non-fat dressing, try a dressing with some fats — you will absorb the phytochemicals and nutrients better.

Lastly, top a cooked pizza with some raw salad greens like baby arugula or spinach for an extra bit of nutrition.

Wrapping It Up

The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to eat a variety of fresh foods. Choose different colors, flavors, and textures to put into your dish. Many greens don’t have a lot of flavor so they go great with pretty much anything you cook.

Be adventurous and start getting more greens into your diet.