When not to drink celery juice and why it matters

October 1, 2025 •

5 min read

While often touted for its health benefits, celery juice is not a miracle elixir for everyone, and it's essential to understand its limitations. There are specific circumstances and health conditions where you should not drink celery juice, as it can potentially cause harmful side effects or interact negatively with medications.

Quick Summary

This guide details specific health conditions, medication interactions, and allergies where celery juice should be avoided. It explores the risks associated with its high sodium content and potential side effects, offering critical information for making informed dietary choices.

Key Points

Blood Thinners: Avoid celery juice if taking blood thinners like Warfarin due to its high Vitamin K content, which can reduce medication effectiveness.
High Blood Pressure: Individuals with salt-sensitive high blood pressure should be cautious, as celery juice contains concentrated sodium.
Celery Allergies: People with known celery allergies or Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) should not drink celery juice to avoid reactions ranging from mild itching to severe anaphylaxis.
Pregnancy: Medicinal amounts of celery seeds or oil, often associated with juicing, are not recommended for pregnant women as they may stimulate uterine contractions.
Digestive Issues: Celery juice can trigger bloating, gas, and diarrhea, particularly in those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Photosensitivity: Overconsumption can increase skin's sensitivity to sunlight due to compounds called psoralens, raising the risk of sunburn.
Kidney Disease: Individuals with impaired kidney function should consult a doctor, as high sodium intake from celery juice can be problematic.

Who should avoid celery juice?

Despite its popularity, celery juice is not a one-size-fits-all solution for health. Certain individuals and conditions necessitate caution or complete avoidance. While a glass or two may be fine for most people, excessive consumption or underlying health issues can lead to adverse reactions. Consulting a doctor is always recommended before making significant dietary changes, especially when dealing with chronic conditions.

Individuals with specific health conditions

For those with pre-existing medical issues, the potential for celery juice to worsen symptoms or interfere with treatment is a major concern. It's crucial to understand how the juice's natural properties can affect your body.

Kidney Disease: Although some animal studies suggest potential benefits for kidney health, large amounts of celery juice, particularly its sodium content, can pose risks for individuals with impaired kidney function. Those with kidney disease or who are on low-sodium diets should exercise caution and consult their physician. While celery contains beneficial compounds, moderation is key.
High Blood Pressure (Sodium-Sensitive Individuals): A single cup of celery juice can contain a significant amount of sodium, around 215 mg, which can be detrimental for people with sodium-sensitive high blood pressure. While celery also has potassium, which helps balance sodium, excessive intake can still elevate blood pressure in sensitive individuals.
Bleeding Disorders: Celery root, when consumed in medicinal amounts, can increase the risk of bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder, it's safer to avoid celery root and consult your doctor before consuming celery juice in large quantities.
Thyroid Conditions: Celery is known to potentially interfere with thyroid function. If you have a thyroid disorder or are on medication for one, it is best to avoid celery juice or consult your endocrinologist first.

People with known celery allergies

Celery is a common food allergen and can cause both mild and severe reactions.

Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS): This form of allergy occurs due to cross-reactivity with pollen. People sensitive to birch or mugwort pollen may experience itching or tingling in the mouth, lips, and throat after consuming celery.
Anaphylaxis: In rarer, more serious cases, celery can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women

While celery in food amounts is safe during pregnancy, certain forms should be avoided.

Concentrated Forms: WebMD warns that celery seed and oil, in the medicinal amounts sometimes associated with juicing, are unsafe during pregnancy as they can potentially cause uterine contractions. It is important to stick to celery in food amounts and consult a doctor before starting a juicing regimen.

Individuals with digestive issues

Though celery juice is promoted for gut health, it can exacerbate problems for some.

IBS/IBD: The high water content and potential for fermentation can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea in individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Fiber Removal: Straining the juice removes the beneficial fiber, which can paradoxically cause digestive upset in some, rather than helping it.

Medication interactions and photosensitivity

Beyond individual health profiles, celery juice can interact with various medications and even affect your skin's sun sensitivity.

Drug interactions

Certain compounds in celery can alter how medications work in your body, posing serious health risks.

Blood Thinners (e.g., Warfarin): Celery is high in Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. High intake of Vitamin K can interfere with the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications like Warfarin, increasing the risk of blood clots.
Sedatives: Celery can cause sleepiness. Combining it with sedative medications may lead to excessive drowsiness.
Lithium: Celery has diuretic properties that can affect how the body excretes lithium, potentially leading to dangerously high levels of the medication.
Levothyroxine (Thyroid Medication): Taking celery seed along with levothyroxine may reduce its effectiveness.

Photosensitivity

Celery contains naturally occurring compounds called psoralens.

Increased Sun Sensitivity: High doses of psoralens from excessive celery juice intake can increase your skin's sensitivity to UV light, raising the risk of sunburn, rashes, and other skin problems. This effect is unlikely with moderate consumption but is a risk for heavy juicers.

Celery Juice: Juiced vs. Whole Celery

For a clear understanding of celery's risks and benefits, it helps to compare the juiced form with eating whole stalks. This comparison highlights why the juiced version requires more caution for certain individuals. | Feature | Celery Juice (Strained) | Whole Celery Stalks | | --- | --- | --- | | Fiber Content | Minimal to none | High | | Digestion | Rapidly absorbed, can cause rapid blood sugar changes for some | Slower digestion, promotes fullness | | Nutrient Concentration | High concentration of sodium and vitamin K | More balanced nutrient profile | | Effect on Hunger | Can increase hunger due to lack of fiber | Fiber promotes satiety | | Psoralen Risk | Higher risk of photosensitivity due to concentrated amounts | Lower risk; psoralens are less concentrated | | Medication Interaction | Higher risk due to concentrated nutrients | Lower risk | | Sodium Impact | Can be problematic for sodium-sensitive individuals | Less of an issue due to balanced nutrients and fiber | | Overall Safety | Requires more caution, especially for specific health conditions | Generally safe for most people | The key difference lies in the absence of fiber in strained juice, which alters the speed of absorption and concentration of certain compounds. For those concerned about health risks, eating whole celery provides a safer, more balanced nutrient profile.

Conclusion: Making an informed choice

Celery juice has its proponents, but a balanced, evidence-based approach is necessary to determine if it's right for you. While some people may enjoy its hydrating properties without issue, those with underlying health conditions, allergies, or who take certain medications must proceed with caution. The potential for adverse effects, from digestive upset and medication interactions to photosensitivity and sodium-related issues, is a significant factor to consider. Always consult with a healthcare professional before adding large quantities of celery juice to your daily regimen to ensure it aligns with your individual health needs.

Sources

WebMD: "Celery - Uses, Side Effects, and More"
Healthline: "5 Side Effects of Celery Juice"
Intermountain Health: "Is Celery Juicing For You?"
Verywell Health: "What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Celery Juice Every Day"

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or health regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Individuals with salt-sensitive high blood pressure should be cautious with celery juice due to its concentrated sodium content, which can increase blood pressure. Consulting a doctor is recommended.

No, if you are taking anticoagulant medication like Warfarin, you should not drink celery juice in large amounts. Celery is high in Vitamin K, which can interfere with these medications and increase the risk of blood clots.

For people with IBS or IBD, celery juice can cause or worsen symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. Strained juice also lacks fiber, which can disrupt digestion.

Celery juice can cause allergic reactions ranging from Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), which includes tingling and itching in the mouth, to severe anaphylaxis in rarer cases.

Yes, celery contains psoralens, and consuming large amounts of celery juice can increase your skin's sensitivity to UV light, raising the risk of sunburn and dermatitis.

Concentrated forms of celery, like seeds and oil sometimes found in juices, are considered unsafe during pregnancy as they may cause uterine contractions. Pregnant women should stick to food amounts of celery.

Juicing removes most of the fiber from celery, which means the concentrated nutrients, like sodium and vitamin K, are absorbed more rapidly. This can lead to issues for individuals sensitive to these compounds.

For most people, eating whole celery is safer as the fiber helps balance the absorption of nutrients and promotes satiety. Drinking celery juice, especially in large amounts, poses a higher risk for individuals with certain health conditions.