Celery Juice For Weight Loss: Why It Doesn’t Work, And What To Drink Instead

Celery—it’s the low-calorie, high-fiber food that’s often touted as a dieter’s best friend. You can chop up celery stalks and pair them with a low-calorie dip for a healthy snack or add them to a green salad for some extra crunch. But can celery really help you lose weight?

The idea that celery juice is a magical weight loss elixir has been circulating for a while now. You may have seen people sipping on celery juice on social media or heard about the benefits of drinking celery juice from a friend or family member. While it cannot be denied that celery is a healthy food, the claims that it can help you lose weight on its own are unfounded.

Here’s why celery juice alone won’t help you lose weight and what you should drink instead if you’re looking to shed a few pounds.

Is Celery Juice Good for Weight Loss?

To lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit, which means you need to burn more calories than you consume. This translates to eating fewer calories than you burn through exercise and everyday activities (19). 

While celery juice won’t help you lose weight on its own, it may help you lose weight as part of a calorie-restricted diet. The main benefit of celery juice is that it’s low in calories. 

A cup of celery juice contains just 30 calories, which means it’s a great replacement for sugary drinks such as soda or fruit juice. Swapping high-calorie drinks for low-calorie options such as celery juice can help you create a calorie deficit, which is essential for weight loss. 

Drinking a glass of pure celery juice before a meal may also help you eat fewer calories overall. One study found that people who drank water before a meal ate fewer calories in their meal (10). It’s possible that celery juice could have a similar effect.

Lean and toned up body isn’t just a far-fetched fantasy. Check out the BetterMe app and watch it propel your weight loss journey into high gear!

What Happens If You Drink Celery Juice for a Week?

Celery juice may have several other benefits:

Lower Inflammation 

Celery is high in phytonutrients (plant-based compounds) that have anti-inflammatory properties. One class of phytonutrients in celery is called luteolin (2). 

Luteolin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in test tube studies. High levels of chronic inflammation have been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease (1).

Control Blood Pressure 

Celery juice may help lower blood pressure. It contains nitrates—compounds that can be converted to nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a gas that relaxes blood vessels and helps improve blood flow (1). 

The nitrates in celery juice aren’t harmful like those that are found in processed meats, which have been linked to negative health effects. 

Lower Cholesterol 

Celery juice may also help lower cholesterol levels. In an older study, celery extract was found to reduce serum cholesterol in rats with genetically high cholesterol (10). 

More research is required to understand what, if any, effect eating celery or drinking celery juice may have on cholesterol in humans.  

Read more: Just Beet It: The Multiple Health Benefits Of Beetroot Juice, Explained

Downsides of Drinking Celery Juice

While there are some potential benefits of drinking celery juice, there are also a few downsides that must be considered. 

High Sodium Content 

Celery juice is high in sodium, which can be a problem for people with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart failure. A cup of celery juice has just under 200 mg of sodium—approximately 8% of the daily value (DV) (14). Some store-bought juices may have additional salt, which would increase the sodium content.

To put this into perspective, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day for most people (approximately 1 tsp of salt) (12). So, a cup of celery juice represents approximately 8% of the AHA’s daily recommended sodium intake. Some people are recommended by their doctors to limit their sodium intake even further than that.

If you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart failure, it’s best to avoid or limit foods that are high in sodium, such as celery juice, particularly if there’s any added salt. 

In addition, if you’re on certain medications such as blood thinners, you should talk to your doctor about potential interactions between celery juice and your medication (14).

Lack of Fiber 

Juicing celery also removes the fiber from the vegetable. Fiber is an important nutrient that has a number of health benefits, including supporting weight loss, improved digestion, and lower cholesterol levels (9). Without fiber, celery juice doesn’t offer the same health benefits as eating whole celery. 

What to Drink Instead of Celery Juice for Weight Loss

If you’re looking to lose weight, there are better beverages to drink than celery juice. Some of these beverages have been suggested by science to help with weight loss and they may also offer other health benefits. 

Green Tea 

Green tea is a great alternative to celery juice for weight loss. It contains catechins—compounds that may boost metabolism and increase fat burning. Green tea is also an excellent source of antioxidants, which have numerous potential health benefits (3). 

Coffee 

Like green tea, coffee contains compounds that may boost metabolism and increase fat burning. Coffee is also a great source of antioxidants. In addition, coffee can help you feel full and reduce your appetite. This is important as feeling full can help you eat fewer calories and lose weight (4). It can also help give you some extra energy for exercise, an important part of any weight loss routine.

Water 

Drinking water is one of the best things you can do for weight loss. It’s calorie-free and it can help you feel fuller and eat fewer calories. Water is also essential for many other functions in the body, including detoxification, digestion, and joint lubrication (20). 

Looking for a way to break the vicious cycle of weight loss and tone up all the jiggly parts? Watch the extra pounds fly off and your muscles firm up with the BetterMe app!

Celery Smoothie

Smoothies differ from juices as they contain whole fruits or vegetables, including all of their fiber, which makes them a much healthier option, especially for weight loss. 

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to celery juice, try making a celery smoothie. Simply mix celery, water, and your favorite fruits and vegetables in a blender. You can add other ingredients to boost the nutrition and health benefits. 

Some ingredients you may want to add to your smoothie include: 

• Ginger – Ginger is believed to boost metabolism and promote weight loss (16). 
• Turmeric – Turmeric is a spice that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (11). 
• Cayenne pepper – Cayenne pepper may help boost metabolism (5). 
• Protein powder – Protein powder can help you feel full and promote weight loss (17). 
• Seeds – Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds are all excellent sources of fiber and other nutrients (18). 
• Nuts – Nuts are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber (8). 
• Leafy greens – Adding leafy greens to your smoothie will increase the nutrient and antioxidant content (15). 

How to Make Celery Juice for Weight Loss

Pure, homemade celery juice is the best option if you choose to drink celery juice. To make celery juice, you’ll need a juicer. 

If you don’t have a juicer, you can use a blender. However, you may need to strain the pulp from the juice using a cheesecloth or coffee filter, or you can leave it in if you prefer. 

Ingredients:

•  1 bunch of organic celery

Instructions:

1. Wash the celery thoroughly. 
2. Cut off the ends and chop the celery into pieces that will fit into your juicer. 
3. Run the celery through the juicer and collect the juice in a glass or pitcher.
4. If you’re using a blender, blend the celery until it’s smooth. Strain the pulp from the juice using a cheesecloth or coffee filter. 
5. Drink the celery juice immediately or store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. 

Does Celery Help You Lose Belly Fat?

Celery is a great source of fiber and antioxidants, but it won’t help you lose belly fat. In fact, there’s no food that can help you spot-reduce fat from any specific area of your body.

When you lose weight, you’ll lose fat from all over your body, including your belly. In order to lose weight, you’ll need to create a calorie deficit, which means you need to burn more calories than you consume (6).

The best way to do this is to make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet and get regular exercise. If you’re looking to specifically target belly fat, adding cardio and strength training to your routine will help (19).

When Is the Best Time to Drink Celery Juice for Weight Loss?

Drinking celery juice before meals may help you eat fewer calories and lose weight. This is because celery juice (or any other fluid) can help you feel fuller, making you less likely to overeat. It’s also low in calories, so it won’t add many calories to your diet.

If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s also important to avoid drinking high-calorie beverages such as juices and sodas. These drinks can quickly add up and prevent you from losing weight. Stick to water, unsweetened green or herbal tea, and black coffee instead. 

Read more: These Benefits of Cold Pressed Juice Will Make You Ditch Your Fav Box-Brand Juice

How Much Weight Can I Lose by Drinking Celery Juice?

A safe and healthy rate of weight loss is about 1-2 pounds per week (13). This means that if you consume a reduced-calorie diet and include exercise, you can lose up to 8 pounds in a month. Celery juice may help you create the necessary calorie deficit to lose this amount of weight by replacing sugary or other high-calorie drinks. 

Of course, this will also be dependent on other factors, including your diet and exercise habits. If you make other changes to your lifestyle in addition to drinking celery juice, you may see even better results. 

FAQs

• Is it OK to drink celery juice every day?

Drinking celery juice every day may be okay, but we advise you to practice moderation. Too much of anything, even the healthiest foods, is not good for you.

Celery is a low-calorie vegetable that is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin K, potassium, and folate. Its high water content also makes it a hydrating beverage choice. When it is juiced, celery can provide an even more concentrated dose of these nutrients.

Proponents of drinking celery juice every day claim that it has numerous health benefits, including:

• Improved digestion: Celery is rich in fiber, which can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. However, the fiber is usually removed to make juice, so this benefit is more applicable to eating whole celery. 
• Increased energy: Some people claim that drinking celery juice daily can boost their energy levels due to its high vitamin and mineral content, although this is subjective (2).
• Weight loss: Celery is a low-calorie vegetable that is often included in weight loss diets. However, there’s no scientific evidence to support the claim that drinking celery juice alone can lead to weight loss.
• Reduced inflammation: Celery contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the body (1).

While there are potential benefits of drinking celery juice every day, it’s important to also consider any potential risks. Some concerns include:

• Loss of fiber: When celery is juiced, the fiber is removed. Fiber is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system and can also help you feel full after meals (9).
• High sodium intake: Celery naturally contains sodium and juicing large amounts of it may contribute to an excessive intake of this mineral. This can be particularly problematic for those with high blood pressure or other health conditions that require a low-sodium diet (14).
• Interactions with medications: Celery contains compounds that may interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional before you consume large amounts of celery juice if you’re taking any medications.

While drinking celery juice every day may offer some potential benefits, it’s important to practice moderation. Consuming large amounts of any one food or beverage may lead to imbalances in your overall diet and may not necessarily provide any additional benefits.

Check out our Vegetable Juice Benefits for more information on the potential health benefits of juicing other vegetables.

• Who shouldn’t drink celery juice?

Before you incorporate celery juice into your daily routine, it’s important to consider if you fall into any of the following categories where drinking celery juice may be unsuitable for you:

• Individuals with kidney problems: Celery contains oxalates, which can contribute to the formation of certain types of kidney stones. If you have a history of or are at risk of developing oxalate kidney stones, it’s important to moderate your intake of oxalate-containing foods such as celery.
• Individuals who are taking certain medications: As previously mentioned, celery contains compounds that may interact with certain medications. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional before you consume large amounts of celery juice if you’re taking any medications.
• Individuals on a low-sodium diet: Celery naturally contains sodium and consuming large amounts of celery juice may contribute to an excessive intake of this mineral. This can be particularly problematic for those with high blood pressure or other health conditions that require a low-sodium diet.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: While celery is generally considered to be safe for consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, it’s important to note that the effects of consuming large amounts of celery juice during these times have not been particularly well studied. It’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before you make any significant changes to your diet when pregnant or breastfeeding.

In our previous blog, Celery Juice Diet, we discussed the potential benefits and drawbacks of following a celery juice-only diet.

• Can I lose belly fat by juicing?

Juicing isn’t the best method for losing belly fat as it removes the fiber from fruits and vegetables, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system and helping you feel full after meals.

In addition, juicing large amounts of high-sugar fruits can lead to an inadvertent increase in calorie intake and may contribute to weight gain (7). Furthermore, targeting fat loss in one specific area, such as the belly, is impossible. Weight loss occurs throughout the body when a calorie deficit is created.

Rather than relying solely on juicing, it’s important to maintain a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Incorporating regular exercise and staying hydrated can also help with your weight loss efforts (13).

• Does celery speed up metabolism?

There’s insufficient scientific evidence to support the claim that celery speeds up metabolism. While celery is a low-calorie vegetable, it doesn’t contain any magical fat-burning properties.

Metabolism is simply the process by which your body converts food into energy. It is influenced by a variety of factors, including age, gender, genetics, and activity level. Eating a well-balanced diet and remaining physically active are the best ways to support a healthy metabolism.

Our 3-Day Juice Cleanse Recipe includes a balanced mix of fruits and vegetables, including celery, to help reset your diet and give your body a boost of nutrients. It’s important to remember to always listen to your body and consult a healthcare professional before you make any significant changes to your diet.

The Bottom Line 

Celery juice is a popular beverage that’s often touted for its health benefits, including weight loss. However, there’s no evidence to support these claims. There are actually better beverages to drink for weight loss, such as green tea, coffee, and water. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to celery juice, try making a celery smoothie or simply eating celery whole as a snack.