Instagram fans love a health trend, and the latest craze is sipping bottles of bright green celery juice. Enthusiasts claim it has amazing detox credentials, but what are the real benefits of celery drinks? We investigate…

What is celery juice?

As you might imagine, it’s juice made from blending and straining celery! You can drink it pure, or add other green goodies such as cucumber, herbs or lime juice.

How do you make celery juice?

What are the health benefits?

Celebrity fans claim it’s great for detoxing, but sceptics point out that actually your body is pretty good at detoxing itself – after all, that’s why you have a liver and kidneys.

Another claim is that thanks to its ‘cluster salts’ – small molecules that are a result of breaking it down – it has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties. But, again, the jury’s out on this one. Interestingly, if you’re trying to drink more antioxidants, it’s actually coffee you should turn to! It’s packed with flavonoids which have been linked to lower risks of various illnesses.

It’s not all bad news though – it’s a good source of immune-boosting vitamins (including Vitamin A and C and folate) and a much lower sugar alternative to fruit juices.

Does it benefit gut health?

It’s looking unlikely. There was a 2013 study about apigenin (a component in celery) which reduced stomach inflammation in animals. But firstly, there hasn’t been a human study, and secondly it wasn’t using juice specifically.

Can it help with weight loss?

If it’s weight loss you’re after, you might as well eat your celery whole, as you’ll be taking on a balanced mix of fibre as well as its natural sugars. This is much more filling than just juice (although obviously there are more filling snacks than celery!)

When should you drink celery juice?

Most people drink their juice first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, claiming that this has the biggest health benefits.

It’s a safe substance for most people although if you’re on a medication where it’s advisable to avoid grapefruit juice, the same might apply for celery juice.

Should you drink celery juice?

Well yes, if you enjoy the taste, it’s a perfectly fine addition to a balanced diet, but otherwise probably give it a miss until science proves any of its elaborate health claims!