When did juicing become a thing...again?
It all started with Anthony William, author and self-proclaimed "medical medium" who swears that celery juice is the superfood to end all superfoods. So much so, he wrote an entire book about its benefits.
"Celery juice, when consumed in the right way, is a powerful and miraculous healing remedy," William writes on his website. "People are noticing the benefits it provides, such as clearer skin, improved digestion, less bloating, sustained energy, better mental clarity, weight loss and stable moods, just to name a few."
I won't lie, this sounds like a bunch of bologna. But when celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Miranda Kerr and Robert freaking De Niro support it -- consider my interest peaked.
According to William, eating celery and drinking celery juice are very different things. First of all, you consume an exponentially higher amount of celery while drinking it -- like, sometimes a whole stalk. "When celery is juiced, the pulp (fiber) is removed," William told Goop. "Its healing benefits become much more powerful, especially for someone with chronic illness." He also claims that drinking celery juice increases and strengthens your body's bile, which is important for eliminating waste.
How does it work?
It's fairly straightforward. All you need to do is drink 16 ounces of plain celery juice every morning -- on an empty stomach -- and, God willing, the magic happens.
But DOES it work?
You may strictly think of celery as a vehicle for peanut butter. And honestly, same. But these little green stalks are actually filled with antioxidant properties, as well as an array of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C, K, folate and potassium. And, if you've read about literally any diet EVER, you know it contains lots of water, so it's hydrating your body while you crunch on it. (And burns more calories than it provides??)
“It is true that there is supportive research on the phytochemicals in celery helping to reduce blood pressure, reduce inflammation and fight against oxidative stress. These same nutrients are found in whole celery as well as celery juice,” Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian, told Healthline.
That said, there is no real medical or scientific evidence that celery juice can cure ailments, fight infection or battle disease in your body. Yes, it's a trend and yes, it’s healthy. But use common sense and remember that there are no miracle cures for anything. Technically, there is no proof that drinking celery juice is any better than eating or drinking other vegetables. My advice? Fill your plate with green stuff as you normally would and call it a day.