Celery is packed with fiber and also offers folic acid, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B and C. Celery is a favorite of many dieters because it contains so few calories and provides a number of health benefits. Keep in mind raw celery, which includes juiced celery is the healthiest way to consume the vegetable. What makes celery juice such a great addition to your diet? How to incorporate other healthy vegetables into the juice to make it more delicious?

Nutritional Facts of Celery

Health Benefits of Celery Juice

1. Fight Cancer

Celery contains at least eight anti-cancer compounds that help prevent cancer from spreading. One of these compounds is acetylenics, which studies have shown stops the growth of cancer cells. It also contains phonolic acids, which block the action of prostaglandins, known to increase the growth of cancer cells. Finally, celery contains coumarins, a phytonutrient known to prevent free radical damage and prevent the development of stomach and colon cancer.

2. Lower Cholesterol

There is also evidence celery juice lowers cholesterol. It contains butyl phthalide, which has shown evidence of reducing LDL cholesterol levels by as much as seven points. Celery also increases bile acid secretion which flushes cholesterol from the body.

3. Aid Digestion

Celery contains special nutrients in its fibers that are released when the vegetable is juiced. These nutrients promote bowel movements by acting as a natural laxative and relaxing the nerves that have been damaged by excess synthetic laxative use.

4. Act as a Diuretic

Celery juice contains sodium and potassium, which help regulate the fluid in the body and stimulate urine production. This flushes toxins from the system and promotes weight loss.

5. Fight Inflammation

Celery contains polyacetylene, which is considered one of the best defenders against inflammation. Drinking celery juice can ease symptoms associated with bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis gout, and asthma. Celery also contains luteolin, which is a powerful phytonutrient that interferes with brain inflammation and inhibits the production TNF-alpha, which directly causes inflammation.

6. Lower Blood Pressure

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners have long recommended celery juice for reducing blood pressure. Research shows that drinking celery juice every day is a great way to bring blood pressure to a healthy range. Celery contains phthalides, which relaxes arterial muscles and allows blood to flow freely through the body. It also reduces stress hormones which are known to constrict blood vessels.

7. Cure Insomnia

Insomniacs sometimes have issues calming their nervous systems enough to fall asleep. Celery juice contains minerals and essential oils that provide a calming effect. It is also contains magnesium, which is known for promoting restful sleep.

8. Lose Weight

Celery juice is a great weight loss food because it contains virtually no calories. It also helps curb cravings for sweets and fills you up because it is packed with water.

9. Prevent and Eliminate  Stones

Celery juice helps to flush toxins from the body through the urinary system, which helps to eliminate gall bladder and urinary stones. Those who are prone to stones can add celery juice to their daily menu to prevent future problems.

10. Boost Sexuality

Celery boosts sexuality without triggering uncontrollable urges. Unlike many drugs intended to promote virility, celery promotes balance and creates a healthy, controllable urge for intimacy.

11. Calm the Nervous System

Celery juice contains organic alkaline minerals that are known to calm the nervous system. This makes is an excellent food to add to your diet if you suffer from anxiety or any stress-related disorders. This also promotes relaxation, quality sleep, and focus.

12. Alleviate Menopause Symptoms

Celery is great for relieving menopausal symptoms because it contains oestrogenic phytochemical anethole. It helps reduce hot flashes without producing the side effects associated with many hormone replacement therapy programs. Many women find hormone therapy treatments cause more problems than their menopausal symptoms and are relieved to learn there is a natural remedy like celery juice available.

13. Alleviate Allergies and Fever

Celery is one of the top foods for reducing hay fever and allergy symptoms. Mixing celery with carrots and ginger to create a tasty vegetable juice is a great natural treatment for allergies. This is a much better alternative to allergy pills and shots because it allows the body’s natural immune system to spring into action against irritants.

How to Select, Store, and Prepare

1. Select

Shopping for celery is simple, as long as you keep a few things in mind. Choose celery stalks that are crisp and produce a snap when you separate them. Look for stalks that are in relatively tight bundles that are not drooping or appearing to spread. Look for stalks with pale to bright green leaves. Yellow and brown patches indicate the celery is less than fresh. Also avoid celery with seed stem or round stem. Instead, you should look for bundles with smaller, tender stalks in the center to avoid bitter tasting celery.

2. Store

Celery should be stored wrapped in a plastic bag or sealed container with a damp cloth. This keeps celery crisp and prevents it from drying out before use. If you cut or peel your celery before storing, make sure it is dry so nutrients are not drained. Celery does not freeze well and will wilt if kept in temperatures below freezing.

3. Prepare

This video contains healthy recipes for celery and carrot juice and provides a demonstration for making your own celery juice at home.

This video provides a recipe for apple, celery and beet juice and shows you how to prepare the mixture using a high powered juicer.