The word Detox or body cleanse is a popular buzzword that implies strictly following a specific diet or using certain supplements. These help in eliminating toxins and improving overall physical and mental health. However, the body is well equipped to deal with foreign substances without the help of expensive supplements or making yourself starve. In fact, the focus on body cleansing and detox should be shifted to enhancing the body’s natural detoxification system. In order to naturally cleanse your body, you don’t need to go further than your kitchen pantry. There are several foods that help cleanse the blood by getting rid of harmful metals and preventing blood clots.
Did you know pineapple is a natural fat burner? What about fermented food like sauerkraut? How does grapefruit cleanse? In this post, we will be covering all the fruits that function as natural detoxifying agents. Say goodbye to confusing artificial supplements and embrace a natural way of life.
Good: Pineapple
While pineapples are banished as a pizza topping, they contain some intense natural body-cleansing elements. This health-boosting exotic fruit is packed with bromelain which functions as a natural fat burner. Best eaten fresh and not canned, it helps in breaking down harmful cholesterol and getting rid of blood clots resulting in a lowered toxin content. Vitamin C and antioxidants are two of the most important nutrients found in this fruit that support the immune system by reducing inflammation. This has to be one of the most pocket-friendly and delicious ways of detoxification without the risk of developing any side effects in the process.
Do you know any other fruit that reduces inflammation? Tell us in the comments below!
Good: Grapefruit
Grapefruits are sweet and tangy fruits that are packed with vitamin C and several amazing nutrients. Eating them as regularly as possible will amp up the metabolism and speed up the cleansing process. Eating them as often as possible will help in repairing the cells and body tissues which is a result of years of poor dietary habits. The cleansing agent in grapefruit is called Nootka tones. This chemical compound gives metabolism a major boost that in turn helps with weight loss. Eating half a grapefruit with every meal at least for a week will not only cleanse but will also meet the everyday needs for vitamins A and C.
Good: Cucumber
Cucumbers are mostly water but don’t take them lightly. Apart from applying pieces of cucumber on your eyelids, it also replenishes your body with electrolytes, especially on a hot summer day. Cucumber water prevents dry mouth and washes away the unwanted food residue that gets stuck in between teeth and allows the bacteria to feed on them. They are also packed with healthy digestive enzymes which help in proper digestion and metabolism because your immune system health is directly linked to your gut health. Kickstarting your day on a refreshing note by drinking cucumber-infused water with a couple of lemon juice drops is also a way of cleansing the digestive system.
Good: Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is basically fermented cabbage whose origin can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago in China. Due to the fermentation process, the bacteria eat away all the unhealthy sugar in them and increase the healthy probiotics level. This mix of probiotics and fiber clears the skin, causes less tummy bloating, and keeps the gut healthy. Did you know that their nutritious goodness is far superior to that of regular fresh, non-fermented cabbage? Rich in various vitamins and minerals, they help the body absorb the nutrients from foods that you eat. They are perfect for detoxifying the whole body and give visible results!
Good: Avocado
Avocado is one fruit that has taken the healthy eating and detox world by storm! However, it is yet to be recognized as a powerful detox food. It is a nutritional powerhouse that blocks the elements that increase toxicity levels in the artery while also lowering cholesterol levels. The glutathione component present in avocados effectively blocks around 30 different types of harmful carcinogens and helps in liver cleansing by getting rid of synthetic chemicals in them. This means that avocado toasts are more than just aesthetically pleasing meals. They are almost an all-rounder when it comes to clean eating.
Good: Blueberry
Blueberries are one of the best foods for healing. Named natural aspirin, they lower the tissue-damaging effects induced by long-term, chronic inflammation. Eating them whole or adding them to your smoothies will also work as a natural painkiller and block the bacteria by acting as antibiotics. In this manner, these tiny power-packed berries help with infection prevention as well. The presence of high levels of vitamin C and fiber fights off the harmful free radicals that increase the body’s toxicity levels. You can go for blueberry tea or chop up a couple of berries and top off your salad or oatmeal with them.
Good: Lemon
While speaking about detoxes and cleanses, lemon is a superstar! This detox diet staple is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, two of the most vital nutrients for detox and repair. You may have heard about the amazing benefits of drinking hot water with lemon slices on an empty stomach early in the morning. This helps in properly flushing out the toxins leaving your skin looking bright and digestion healthy. Adding a couple of drops of citrusy lemon in curries and salads is another way to restore the body’s pH balance and support the immune system as well.
Good: Garlic
Garlic makes any dish more delicious. But the benefits of this pungent food go beyond that. Along with being a heart-friendly food, they have amazing detoxifying effects on the body. They are also naturally antibacterial, antiviral, and antibiotic. Allicin is a chemical that is found actively present in garlic which speeds up the production of the toxin-fighting white blood cells. Just smash a couple of garlic cloves and add them to your salad as a topping. This will not only make the dish more flavorful but will also be beneficial as a natural body cleanser.
Good: Kale
Kale is a superfood. These crinkly, dark green leaves are high in fiber and contain 0 fat. What makes it a perfect food for detox is the presence of 2 vital nutrients which lack in our modern-day diets, magnesium, and folate. Steamed kale offers anti-cancer properties and a powerful antioxidant compound which thoroughly cleanses the organs. The high fiber in it cleans out the intestinal tract and neutralizes the harmful compounds found in cigarettes. This keeps the liver strong and clear of toxins. Blitzing up kale along with banana, plant-based milk, Greek yogurt, and pineapple slices to make a smoothie is a great way of starting your detox journey.
Good: Apple
Apples have always stolen the limelight when it comes to healthy foods. Did you know that its skin contains around half the fiber? It's also rich in plant-based compounds called polyphenols, fiber, and water which makes it a great choice for flushing out harmful toxins. Pectin is another important compound found in apples that binds together the cholesterol and heavy metal in a gel form. The toxic buildup in the intestines is also eliminated by eating them which is a great way of detoxifying the gut!
Apart from eating right, making the right lifestyle changes will also aid this detoxification and cleansing process.
#1. Limit Alcohol
Excessive drinking is an easy way to a myriad of health problems. This is because 90% of the alcohol you drink gets metabolized in the liver which also contains cancer-causing chemicals. Drinking too much builds up the fat content, and leads to scarring and even inflammation. This impairs the liver from properly flushing or filtering out the toxins.
#2. Stay Hydrated
Drinking the right amount of water every day solves a lot of health problems. Drinking water is not only meant for quenching thirst but it also regulates the body temperature, lubricates joints, and detoxifies the body by flushing out toxic elements and waste products. While detoxing, it is important to stay properly hydrated since the water continues to eliminate waste through sweating, urination, and even breathing!
#3. Get a good night’s sleep
While sleeping the body’s repair, maintenance and detoxification take place. Sleeping lets the brain recharge and reorganize itself and remove toxic waste products that accumulate throughout the day. While on the other hand, sleep deprivation leads to the brain not being able to perform these activities efficiently which leads to a buildup of toxins. 8 to 9 hours of sleep is ideal for maintaining good overall health.
#4 Eat foods rich in antioxidants
The toxins in the body are created mostly because of oxidative stress. This leads to cell damage and an increase in the production of harmful free radicals. These free radicals are caused due to external pollution, poor diet, tobacco smoke, and alcohol. Foods high in antioxidants like berries, leafy greens, spices, and many others fight off these toxins and lower the chances of developing chronic diseases.
#5 Decrease salt, sugar, and processed foods
Foods that are high in salt, and sugar and are processed, are stripped of their essential nutrients and carry little to no nutritional value. Too much salt increases water retention and too much sugar and processed foods are directly linked to health problems like obesity, heart problems, and fatty liver issues.
These kinds of foods inhibit the body’s natural detoxifying effect. Detox and cleansing are a way of clearing out the toxins from the body and its organs. If you look it up there is no dearth of detox diets and supplements to choose from but what better way of cleansing than going natural?
For a proper body cleanse there is no need to shell out a lot of money, just making the right choices will work like a charm. What is your cleansing routine? Share with us in the comments below.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. You should never use content in my writing as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or another qualified clinician. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if indicated for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog. Thank you.