Detox Foods to Cleanse Your Body Naturally
Dec 29, 2020 • 3 min Read
Detox or detoxification means getting rid of toxins in your body, thereby improving health. When you cleanse your body from toxins and protect your liver and other organs, you protect yourself from many diseases and viruses. Research shows there are specific foods that can help your body boost its detox power.
Unlike many of the popular “detox” programs and supplements out there, these foods help your body eliminate toxins. And they also provide many other positive health benefits, as well.
Here are some foods that naturally help cleanse and detox the body, from the Food Revolution, a health and nutrition information website:
1. Cruciferous Vegetables and Leafy Greens
A study reported that cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc. boost liver health through anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects. They’re also high in fiber, which encourages the excretion of toxins through bile and stool. Spinach, among other veggies on the list, is an excellent source of chlorophyll, which is considered the top detoxifying plant pigment. Broccoli has been linked to protection against air pollution and its sprouts contain enzymes that protect against cancer-causing chemicals.
2. Lemon
A study found that the citric acid in lemons can protect liver function and prevent oxidative (stress-related) damage. Also, it was found that daily lemon ingestion, combined with daily walking helps regulate blood pressure.
3. Avocado
Avocados have a wealth of antioxidants and other nutrients. A study found that the fatty acids in avocados help protect against damage caused by d-galactosamine, a powerful liver toxin.
4. Green Tea
High in antioxidants, green tea helps keep your body in balance, protecting against free radicals that can cause aging and degenerative disease. A study found that green tea concentrate boosted the production of detoxification enzymes, which play a key role in cancer prevention.
5. Apples
Apples are rich in the soluble fiber pectin. Pectin helps purge toxins from the bloodstream and lower LDL cholesterol. A study found that pectin can aid in the excretion of toxins, such as mercury and lead.
6. Garlic
Researchers found that garlic can inhibit the activation of carcinogens, enhance detoxification, and even protect DNA.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, antiseptic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, radioprotective, and digestive activities.
8. Cilantro
Some plants can bind to heavy metals and help your body excrete them. Those plants are known as “chelators” and cilantro is one of them. A study found that cilantro can enhance mercury excretion and decrease lead absorption.
9. Ginger
Rich in phytochemicals, the healthy compounds found in plants, many people use ginger as a gastrointestinal aid. Since the intestines perform so much detoxification work, ginger can help boost your body’s ability to process food and eliminate waste. The research found that ginger protects against oxidative stress, has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects, and offers a wealth of antioxidants.
10. Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics (or good gut bacteria) can help your intestines as they naturally release toxins and waste products. Foods such as kimchi, pickled vegetables, etc. are great examples of probiotics. Then there are prebiotic foods, which serve as fuel for the probiotics. Those include onions, asparagus, among others.
If you want to detoxify, the first thing to do is to stop bringing toxins into your body in the first place and choose the food on your plate. Remember, the best and safest way to detox is to eat real, healthy foods.
Stay healthy and safe!
