CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Celery juice is a popular trend for people trying to lose weight. But does it provide real health benefits?
“It’s important to remember that eating one particular food isn’t necessarily going to give you all the results you’re looking for in terms of weight loss, or blood sugar," said Lindsay Malone, a registered dietician with the Cleveland Clinic. "If that one thing -- if you start your day with that one thing, and it helps you make several other healthy choices throughout the day, then by all means, you should try it.”
The good news -- Malone said sipping celery juice won't hurt you, but she cautions people who think it's a magic elixir for all of their health needs.
Malone said there isn't any research that shows drinking celery juice very day benefits your health.
Most people drink it in the morning on an empty stomach, she said. By not eating for an hour or two in the morning, Malone said you are essentially extending your fast from overnight. Research shows this can help reduce blood sugar.
Celery juice is high in Vitamin A and Vitamin K, Malone said, which helps with blood clotting, vision, and oxidative damage to cells. It does provide some health benefits in that regard.
But the one thing missing from celery juice that's found in actual celery is the fiber.
“If you want to get the Vitamin A, the Vitamin K, the folate, and the fiber, eat the whole stalk of celery, or throw it into a smoothie," Malone said. "That way you’re not losing the benefits of the fiber.”
Experts say when it comes to evaluating health trends if it can't harm you, could possibly help you, and isn't very expensive -- it could be worth a try.
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