Bloating can be an uncomfortable and sometimes painful experience. Many people have turned to celery juice as a potential remedy, but does it really help?
We are frequently asked numerous questions while working as dietitians and in our daily lives. Therefore, we decided to put together some questions that YOU might have but didn’t know who to ask!
Let’s explore this topic and look at some other suggestions for reducing bloating. The Celery Juice Debate Celery juice has gained popularity in recent years, with some claiming it has miraculous health benefits, including reducing bloating.
However, the evidence is mixed, and its effects can vary from person to person. Potential Benefits:
- Hydration: Celery is mostly water, which can help keep you hydrated and support digestive health
- Nutrients: Celery contains vitamins and minerals that may support overall health these include: potassium, vitamins A, C and K
- Digestive support: Some believe celery juice can stimulate stomach acid production, potentially aiding digestion
Potential Drawbacks:
- High in FODMAPs: Celery is high in FODMAPs, which can cause bloating in some people, especially those with IBS
- Fibre removal: Juicing removes the beneficial fibre from celery, which is important for gut health
- Individual reactions: Some people may experience increased bloating when drinking celery juice
- Celery contains toxicants —furanocoumarins and psoralens—which can cause skin issues and may result in liver damage.
- Celery juice may also interact with certain medications like blood thinners because of its vitamin K content.
Are there any other interesting foods and drinks available that can help reduce bloating?
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is a very popular natural remedy for digestive issues, including bloating. It contains menthol, which has an antispasmodic effect on the digestive tract.
Antispasmodic means it can help relax the muscles of your digestive system, potentially reducing bloating and gas. Some studies have shown that peppermint oil can help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including bloating. A natural option to certainly try if you suffer occasional bloating.
Lemon Water
Starting your day with a glass of warm lemon water can help stimulate your digestive system and promote regularity. Lemons are a natural diuretic, which means they can help reduce water retention and bloating. The citric acid in lemons may also aid in digestion by increasing stomach acid production. As with everything in life what can work for one may not work for another so this one may assist if you are not suffering from GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) and you ensure you look after your teeth.
Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which helps break down proteins in your digestive system. This can lead to improved digestion and reduced bloating. Papaya is also rich in fibre, which can help prevent constipation, another common cause of bloating. Papaya tastes lovely but relying on this is not economical in countries that import this fruit. Eating a Diverse diet of fruits and vegetables would be more beneficial overall.
Fennel
Fennel has been used for centuries as a digestive aid. It contains compounds that can help relax the muscles in your digestive tract, reducing gas and bloating. You can enjoy fennel as a vegetable, brew it as a tea, or chew on fennel seeds after meals to aid digestion. For those with additional gut issues like IBS fennel needs to be consumed in careful amounts.
Turmeric
This bright yellow spice has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the digestive system along with general body inflammation. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, may help reduce gas and bloating. Adding turmeric to your cooking is simple a little more challenging maybe is the social media go-to “turmeric latte”. We haven’t been brave enough to try this but if you have do let us know what its like on one of our channels: Insta, FB, GMB!!
Pineapple
Pineapple similar to papaya contains an enzyme that aids in the digestion of proteins, this one is called bromelain. This can help reduce bloating and other digestive issues. Pineapple is also rich in fibre and water content, which can help prevent constipation. Lovely to eat it’s a super tasty fruit however be aware the bromelain is not present in tinned pineapple due to the high heat of canning.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is another popular “gut healer” rich in amino acids, particularly glutamine, it is certainly soothing on the gut lining and therefore may help to settle digestion and as it is easy to digest it is recommended for those with sensitive stomachs.
Our findings at 121 Dietitian is to be aware if consuming for a few reasons:
- Overconsumption – those with gut symptoms looking for a gut reset can end up too long on this and cause issues with malnutrition and disordered eating where they struggle to resume foods into their diet again.
- Bone broth can in the sensitive person trigger histamine intolerance which can increase not decrease symptoms so need to be mindful.
- Glutamates present can trigger anxiety and pain if sensitive.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is high in potassium and can help balance out sodium levels in your body, potentially reducing water retention and bloating. It’s also naturally hydrating, which can help prevent constipation.
Care however needs to be taken with drinking coconut water as the high potassium levels can be dangerous for those with poor kidney function, and those who are active it may not be the answer for your electrolyte balancing.
Remember, while these foods and drinks may help reduce bloating for many people, everyone’s digestive system is different. What works for one person may not work for another. It’s always a good idea to introduce new foods gradually and pay attention to how your body responds.
We hope you found this information interesting and helpful in addressing the original question and although some people may find celery juice helpful in reducing bloating, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you decide to try celery juice, pay attention to how your body responds.
For many individuals, making simple lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments can be more effective in reducing bloating. If bloating persists or is accompanied by severe pain, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying conditions.
121 Dietitian are experts in gut health and are available to assess and assist you worldwide.
If you want to book your programme TODAY we would love to help you.
You can book a 121 Dietitian Programme today by clicking on the link below
Links included in this description might be Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission.
