Is This Buzzy Juice Trend Really That Good for You? Nutritionists Explain

If you've been following wellness trends the last couple of years, you're probably familiar with celery juice. I'd say in late 2018 and 2019, we hit peak celery juice. It was all over Instagram, celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston were promoting its benefits, and it was a staple at health-food stores and juice shops.

"The celery-juice craze can be attributed to Anthony William, aka the Medical Medium, who calls it a 'miracle superfood,'" explains Serena Poon, CN, CHC, CHN, chef, nutritionist, Reiki master, and founder of the Culinary Alchemy program. "William espouses drinking 16 ounces of celery juice a day to cure chronic illness, autoimmune disease, and viruses, support mental health, prevent disease, and reduce inflammation." Sounds great, right?

Not so fast. "It's true that celery juice and other pure 'green juices' are not as high in sugar and can be incorporated into a healthy diet—it's just that many of the claims surrounding celery juice aren't necessarily backed by science," explains Carielle Nikkel, MS, RDN, the director of nutrition at Persona Nutrition.

But before you swear off celery juice forever, there are some benefits to it, along with some cons. We did some investigating into the trend so you can decide if it's for you. Here's what we found.

First, let's talk about juicing. It can be a good option for getting your daily servings of fruits and veggies. "Generally speaking, fresh-pressed, nutrient-dense vegetable juices are a great way to take in vitamins and minerals from a whole-food source, which often gives people a boost in energy and vitality," Poon says. "People who drink low-sugar, cold-pressed green juice of any kind on a regular basis usually notice benefits such as higher energy levels, better skin, and better mood." Poon recommends her clients switch up their vegetables to get a diverse array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

But there's a catch to juices, too. They can be packed with sugar, especially the store-bought ones, so you'll want to proceed with caution. "The idea of 'juicing' to promote detoxification, weight loss, digestive issues, etc., is nothing new," Nikkel says. "But the truth is juice cleanses are typically full of fructose sugar and stripped of fiber. This ends up spiking your blood sugar, which crashes an hour or so later, disrupting your hunger hormones and leaving you feeling exhausted and hungry."

The best plan of action if you want to jump on the juicing train safely is to talk to a nutritionist, dietitian, or another medical professional who can give you some insight and consumption tips so you're getting the most nutrients without a sugar spike.

Poon says the most natural and preferred way to consume celery juice is by juicing it at home. "If you don't have a juicer, you can always use a blender and pour the result through a strainer to extract the juice," she recommends. "If you prefer to purchase your celery juice premade instead, make sure to look for a raw, organic, cold-pressed celery juice. The best place to find a high-quality, cold-pressed juice would be from your local juice shop. If you are buying a pre-packaged product, make sure that celery juice is the only ingredient, as sometimes packaged juices contain sweeter juices with a lot of sugar."

Since more research needs to be done on ALL of celery juice's benefits, it's ultimately up to you to decide if it's right for your specific lifestyle. Like most things, there are pros and cons to keep in mind, and that all depends on your personal health record.

"At the very least, celery juice is hydrating, nutrient-rich, and full of antioxidants," Nikkel says. "I think it's a great addition to a weekly routine, especially for those who were consuming very few vegetables before. However, I'm a proponent of incorporating a variety of vegetables if you are going to juice to incorporate a healthy range of nutrients in your diet."

And of course, there's always the option of just eating celery rather than drinking it. "The best way to consume it is to eat it!" Nikkel says. "Juicing celery will provide concentrated amounts of nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. But if you eat it or add it to a smoothie, you are getting all the good bacteria-feeding fiber, which is lacking in most adult diets."

Next up: 35 Fruits and Veggies to Solve Your Skin, Digestion, and Inflammation Problems