Does celery juice really help with weight loss, and who shouldn't drink it?

Celery is a vegetable rich in nutrients, essential oils, and hormones, making it not only a cooking ingredient but also a natural remedy for good health. In addition, it can also aid in weight loss.

According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, a specialist at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, Branch 3, celery is low in calories and very rich in fiber, thus increasing feelings of fullness. For people who want to lose weight, eating celery will help them avoid feeling too hungry and reduce cravings.

In particular, drinking celery juice or combining exercise with eating celery will bring noticeable and safe weight loss results. This is why celery has become an indispensable food on the list of the best foods for weight loss.

"Celery doesn't directly help with weight loss; using celery juice or powder helps us feel full for longer, limiting calorie intake, so it should only be considered a weight loss aid," said Dr. Vu.

According to him, weight loss and burning excess fat depend on a calorie deficit (energy intake is lower than energy expenditure). Meanwhile, celery juice is relatively low in calories (about 85 calories/500ml). Therefore, using celery juice to replace high-calorie drinks like soda, milk tea, etc., for weight loss is a good idea.

The key to effective, long-term weight loss doesn't lie in a single food. Instead, we should build a balanced diet combined with regular exercise. These two factors help us create a calorie deficit in a scientific and sustainable way.

What happens if you drink too much celery juice or celery powder?

Dr. Vu added that although it has many nutritional values ​​and is excellent for weight loss, excessive use can cause harm to some individuals. Specifically:

- Reduced fertility: Research experts indicate that celery contains chemicals such as apigenin, which can lead to a decrease in sperm count and even difficulty conceiving if consumed over a long period.

- Risk of goiter: The goitrogens in celery can interfere with the function of iodine in the thyroid gland, increasing the risk of iodine deficiency and causing goiter. Goiter can cause swelling in the neck, leading to respiratory problems and potentially hypothyroidism.

- Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight: Celery contains psoralen, which can make skin more sensitive and prone to irritation from sunlight. If you plan to use celery juice long-term, you need to have appropriate measures to protect your skin.

- Not good for pregnant women or those who have experienced a miscarriage: Consuming this type of food can stimulate uterine contractions, affecting both the mother and the fetus.

How to use celery powder and celery juice correctly.

To avoid unfortunate consequences, when consuming products made from celery powder/juice, you need to be aware of the following points, especially when using them for weight loss.

Those who should avoid celery include people with low blood pressure, kidney disease, or skin conditions, and pregnant women, to prevent unwanted side effects. Additionally, if you are taking medication, consult your doctor before adding celery to your diet.

Experts recommend drinking celery juice 30 minutes before breakfast. This will help limit excessive calorie intake during the meal, while also improving digestive function, preventing constipation and bloating.

You should only drink 500ml of celery juice a day, either all at once or spread throughout the day. A moderate amount of celery juice daily will not harm your body.

In addition, regardless of which product you use for weight loss, you should still combine it with physical activity to burn calories and achieve the best results.