Water sticks, aka peanut butter vessels, aka the most boring part of a crudite platter, celery is more of a superfood than it lets on. Following a tip from the controversial, yet enigmatic intuitive healer, the Medical Medium, holistic wellness pro, Elissa Goodman drinks a cup of celery juice every morning to help detox, improve digestion and soak up all the anti-inflamatory glory. Have you tried this? Learn why we’re thinking of following suit and sipping down celery juice daily…

Most of my clients are shocked when they hear me refer to celery as a “superfood.” To most people, celery is a snack covered in peanut butter and fed to kids or the only thing left in your glass after a bloody Mary brunch. But in reality, celery is one of my favorite superfoods — it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

Celery has so many incredible health benefits that are only magnified by juicing. I began drinking celery juice daily as part of the thyroid recovery regimen suggested to me by the medical medium, Anthony William. After just seven days, I immediately began to feel positive digestive effects, and as time went on, I truly began to feel my gut healing.

Not only is celery high in vitamins and minerals, but it is anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and gut-friendly. So here’s why you should be sipping this unconventional green juice every morning.

Gut-boosting benefits:Gut health is such a hot topic right now… and for good reason! Your gut is connected to so many different aspects of your health, from your mood to your risk of disease. And while I’m a huge supporter of a daily probiotic regimen and can definitely join in on the fermented food craze, I’m always surprised about how often celery is overlooked as a gut healing food. It’s simple, it’s packed with nutrients, it’s cheap (!), but some of its biggest benefits stem from its ability to help those with low hydrochloric acid (HCL) levels and the related digestive issues.

Here’s the deal: HCL – otherwise known as stomach acid – helps to break down the foods you eat, specifically proteins. But when levels of HCL are low – which can happen if you have an autoimmune disease or are chronically stressed – you’ll experience some uncomfortable symptoms like indigestion, acid reflux and even IBS. Essentially, your digestive system is thrown completely out of whack, and you aren’t able to fully digest your food or absorb some of the essential nutrients from the foods you’re eating. But here’s where the healing power of celery juice comes in. Celery contains some important minerals and mineral salts that can help boost digestion, absorption and utilization of the food you eat for the remainder of the day. Plus, when consumed regularly, celery juice can help to gradually increase and restore your stomach’s HCL levels.

The benefits of celery span way beyond just the gut. From the thyroid to the liver, celery can change your health for the better. Other reasons to drink celery juice:

Thyroid cleansing: According to Anthony William, the mineral salts in celery help to fight and cleanse the body of the Epstein-Barr virus, particularly in the thyroid. Celery can also help to boost production of important thyroid hormones in those with hypothyroidism.

Liver detoxification: Celery’s detoxifying properties work to remove bad bacteria, fungi, mold, viruses and other toxins from the liver; the phytonutrients found in the green stalks also can have a protective effect.

Heart healthy: Studies have shown that celery extract consumption can help to prevent stroke, lower blood pressure, and reduce plaque in arteries.

Nervous system support: Celery is a powerhouse for supporting the nervous system. It has a calming effect on the nervous system because of its detoxify properties. It also provides support through its ability to act as a blood purifier.

Anti-inflammatory: Celery contains luteolin, a potent flavonoid, that can act as an antioxidant and calm inflammation.

Celery Juice FAQ

As celery juice has grown in popularity, we’ve received the following five questions frequently!
Here’s what you need to know… 

When should I drink celery juice? Celery juice should be consumed immediately upon waking up on an empty stomach for maximum benefits. It won’t stay good forever,  as fresh juice doesn’t last that long.

How much celery juice should I drink? You may want to start slowly with six to eight ounces and build up to 16 ounces from there. 16 ounces a day is great for most people, those who are hoping to address chronic health issues can consider 24 ounces daily, but should consult with their doctor or a nutritionist.

When will I feel the benefits? You may start to feel the positive changes of daily celery juice consumption in as little as seven days after starting your daily celery-juice habit, but you can continue drinking it for as long as you want. According to celery juice proponent and top wellness blogger, Ksenia Avdulova she experience the following benefits:

My skin feels more hydrated and smooth
I feel less hungry
I feel more nourished
My eyes feel more clear
I don’t experience occasional bloating anymore

Are there any risks associated with drinking  celery juice? Some people may have be allergic to celery. Those who are allergic to celery should clearly avoid the celery juice trend. In our experience, those who drink green juices for the first time may experience a bit of mild digestive upset at first, especially if their not accustom to a clean diet, but within reason, this is normal.

Live Science also shares research from the SF Gate that celery itself, not specifically the juice, could potentially cause goiters if consumed regularly in large amounts. “This is because great amounts of uncooked celery can interfere with the process of iodine functioning in the thyroid. Goiters can cause swelling in the neck, leading to breathing problems and possible hypothyroidism.”

Learn all about autoimmune disease management with Elissa’s guides: what to do after a Hashimoto’s diagnosis,  and how to lighten our daily toxic load.