Celery juice, a vibrant green drink, is often the star of Instagram feeds of nutrition influencers. This low-sugar beverage has sparked curiosity due to its potential health benefits. In this article, we will explore the potential advantages and drawbacks of consuming celery juice, especially in relation to skincare and acne.
Evaluating the Skin-related Benefits of Celery Juice
Although celery juice is densely packed with vitamins and antioxidants, its effectiveness in treating skin conditions like acne is currently under debate. Let’s dissect the health benefits of celery juice that may indirectly contribute to skin health.
Sugar Content: Minimal
Celery is notably low in sugar. Opting for low-sugar drinks like celery juice could enhance your skin health. This is because foods high in sugar are also high on the glycemic index (GI), and such foods have been linked to acne breakouts1. Furthermore, sugar speeds up skin aging via a process known as glycation, which harms the skin’s collagen fibers.
Fiber Content: High
Celery juice is a bountiful source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Ingesting fiber has a slew of health benefits: it can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and some gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, it’s associated with decreased blood pressure and cholesterol.
Nutrient-dense
Celery juice is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals. It’s a fantastic plant-based source of vitamins A, C, E, B6, and K, phosphorus, zinc, folate, selenium, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and more. These nutrients are vital for overall health, including the health of your skin.
Hydrating Properties
Dehydration can wreak havoc on your skin, and staying hydrated could help alleviate skin dryness and roughness. The impressive water content of celery helps to keep the body hydrated, and studies indicate that maintaining hydration is key to living a healthy life.
Antioxidant-rich
Celery juice possesses antioxidant properties that help neutralize free radicals, harmful substances that can damage the skin and accelerate signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. The antioxidants in celery juice comprise compounds like caffeic acid, ferulic acid, apigenin, luteolin, tannin, as well as polyphenols like flavonoids and phenolic acids. Studies have found that celery extract is a significant source of antioxidants and has promising antibacterial properties that may be beneficial in dietary supplements.
Considering the Potential Side Effects of Celery Juice
While celery juice is a refreshing, nutrient-dense beverage, it’s important to be aware of its potential downsides. As always, it’s recommended to consult your healthcare provider before adding something new to your diet. Here are some potential side effects of drinking celery juice:
Phytophotodermatitis risk: Applying celery topically followed by sun exposure may cause a reaction known as phytophotodermatitis, which resembles an intense sunburn. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid direct skin contact with celery juice while under the sun.
Phototoxicity risk: Although rare, consuming psoralen-rich foods like celery can cause generalized phototoxicity in some people, making the skin or eyes extremely sensitive to light.
Sodium content: A cup of celery juice contains about 189 milligrams of sodium, roughly 8% of the daily amount recommended by the FDA. If you’re watching your salt intake, you might want to moderate your celery juice consumption.
Allergic reaction risk: While celery allergies are rare, like any other food, celery juice may trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms may include itching or swelling in your mouth after drinking celery juice.
The Verdict: Does Celery Juice Help Acne?
Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages. Factors like oil (sebum), bacteria, and hormones can lead to acne breakouts.
While there’s currently no scientific evidence to support the claim that celery juice can clear up your skin, enriching your diet with more fruits and vegetables can certainly boost your overall health. Dermatology providers recommend topical treatments with active ingredients like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, beta-hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, and more to treat acne. Many of these treatments are available over-the-counter, or you can try a personalized prescription formula.
Seek Expert Advice for Skincare
Experimenting with skincare trends can be exciting, but it can also be time-consuming and costly. Dermatology providers recommend consulting experts when you’re considering new skincare treatments.
At Curology, we offer consultations from licensed medical providers who can provide expert guidance for treating acne, rosacea, and aging concerns. Starting is as easy as taking a quick quiz and sending a few selfies for your dermatology provider to review. We’ll provide a treatment plan with your personalized prescription formula to address your skin concerns and goals. We’ll guide you throughout your skincare journey and answer any questions you may have. Sign up today to get your personalized prescription formula, along with access to our dermatologist-designed products like cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the potential benefits of celery juice for the skin?
While there’s currently no scientific evidence supporting the skin benefits of celery juice, such as preventing and treating breakouts, it does offer several potential health benefits:
Low in sugar: Opting for low-sugar beverages like celery juice may boost your skin health.
High in fiber: Celery juice is an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Nutrient-dense: Celery juice is a fantastic plant-based source of various vitamins and minerals.
Hydrating: Dehydration can harm your skin, and staying hydrated may help alleviate skin dryness and roughness.
Antioxidant-rich: Celery juice has antioxidant properties that can neutralize harmful free radicals.
Are there any side effects to drinking celery juice?
Before adding any new food to your diet, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare provider. Here are some potential side effects of drinking celery juice:
Risk of phytophotodermatitis: Topical exposure to celery and subsequent sun exposure may cause a reaction known as phytophotodermatitis.
Risk of phototoxicity: In rare cases, eating psoralen-rich foods like celery can cause generalized phototoxicity, where the skin or eyes become extremely light-sensitive.
Sodium content: One cup of celery juice contains approximately 189 milligrams of sodium, roughly 8% of the daily amount recommended by the FDA.
Risk of allergic reaction: Though rare, celery juice, like any other food, may trigger an allergic reaction.
Does celery juice help acne?
Currently, there’s no scientific research to support the idea that celery juice can help clear up your skin. However, incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet can certainly enhance your overall health.
