Celery Juice for Digestion and Bloat: Why Your Gut Loves This Green Juice

I’m the first to say that celery isn’t the sexiest vegetable. You might think of it as just another vessel for almond butter or an ingredient in your favorite soup. True — but have you tried celery juice? 

You might have heard me talking about this trendy superfood elixir on The Dr. Oz Show. Celery juice has tons of benefits: It’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it won’t spike your blood sugar, and it’s a superstar for your digestion. Here’s why you should go bottoms-up on celery for your gut health.

Why your gut loves celery juice

The flavor of celery is nothing to write home about, but its nutrition profile is impressive. In addition to its natural free-radical fighting polyphenols, celery is high in magnesium, sodium, potassium, and a bunch of other vital nutrients that play an important role in keeping your gut happy.

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Celery juice for digestion

There isn’t significant clinical research on the benefits of celery juice in human digestion — yet. However, rodent studies suggest that celery can protect the stomach from ulcers and the progression of gastric cancer.^[1] [2]

Celery contains apigenin and quercetin, compounds found in a variety of anti-inflammatory herbs and spices. A 2009 study found that these flavonoids can improve digestion by inducing gastric relaxation,^[3] — a nerdy term for  the natural movements your stomach makes as food moves through your gut.

By stimulating the production of stomach acid, celery juice eases uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn, indigestion, and bloating. If your pants fit great one day and are uncomfortably snug the next, blame it on bloat. Low stomach acid is no joke. It’s caused by a range of gut disorders like SIBO and IBS, as well as autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. You can learn more about Hashimoto’s in my conversation with Dr. Izabella Wentz, a clinical pharmacist, on the Bulletproof Radio podcast.

Long story short: celery juice is great for digestion and can help banish bloating. However, if you’re dealing with gut imbalances, talk to your functional medicine doctor to make sure it’s not a symptom of a bigger disorder.

Related: Signs Your Gut Is Unhealthy and Why You Should Fix It

Your #1 superfood (and #2)

Your kidneys have an important job: They filter away waste and extra fluid. When you pee, you prevent that waste from building up in your body. Thanks to its high sodium and potassium content, celery is a natural diuretic.^[4] So, your morning shot of green juice helps your kidneys get rid of all the gunk that would otherwise slow you down. It keeps your stomach flat, too.  

Speaking of the toilet, celery juice is also high in magnesium. This mineral can help you deal with constipation and move things along in the loo (and it plays a bunch of other important roles in your body, too).

A note on juicing: A juice shot makes it easy to pack a ton of vegetables into your glass, but don’t forget that vegetable fiber plays an important role in your bowel movements, too. Fiber makes your poop larger and softer. For a smooth move, eat your vegetables. If you want to reap the benefits of celery fiber, try blending it with ice instead of throwing it in your juicer. Read more about how to fix your gut by reading your poop.

Can’t stomach the thought of juicing a stalk of celery? Check out this refreshing collagen-boosted celery juice recipe that features mint, limes, and cucumber. It’s basically a better-for-you mojito — minus the booze.