Let's Talk about Trends

Celery Juice. The latest in magical health elixirs claimed to cure all diseases. It used to be kale smoothies, spirulina, chia seeds, bone broth, Himalayan salt… So many different foods have had their 15 minutes of fame. Celery, once considered the blandest and least delicious of all vegetables, is finally having its moment.

But is it all its cracked up to be? People with no medical or nutritional training are claiming multiple amazing health benefits of drinking celery juice. They say that celery juice can cure acid reflux, heal autoimmune disease, kill pathogens and detoxify the liver.

These claims aren't totally unfounded. But the truth is much less enchanting.

Celery is a highly nutritious vegetable. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that can offer a variety of health benefits. Celery helps to promote hydrochloric acid and bile production. This aids digestion and excretion. It can support the liver’s natural detoxification processes, which has benefits for the skin among other things. HCL can also help fight off pathogenic bacteria in the gut. The vitamins and minerals in celery support all kinds of bodily functions from head to toe.

So yes, celery is a great food! So are pretty much all fruits and veggies.

Celery juice is much lower in sugar than beet, apple or other trendy drinks of the past. And raw celery does not contain oxalic acids that inhibit digestion (like kale or other veggies in the brassica family). Also, it’s delicious.

But there are numerous problems with massive health trends such as this. The implications of social media health fads go beyond your intestines and your kitchens. The booming celery juice trend has negatively impacted farmers and the greater vegetable economy.

The most notable problem here is that the physiological benefits are largely exaggerated. There is no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan. Just because something is trending on Goop, doesn’t mean it will give you snowy white glowing skin like Gwyneth Paltrow.

No single food is a cure-all. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can be extremely helpful in healing from any disease.

Celery juice may feel right for you. Maybe not. Don’t follow any trend blindly. Do you research. Try it out. Decide for yourself if it feels good for your body.