One of the requirements for healthy living is doing a detox. This does not necessarily mean just drinking green tea and smoothies every day. There are many foods that will naturally detoxify your body. These foods are especially important if you need a weight loss detox.
Make the effort to eat these foods often in order to rid your body of toxins. You want a healthy body from the inside out.
1. Water
Water may not qualify as food but you cannot detoxify without it. Health experts advise you to drink at least 8 glasses every day. If your water intake has been on the lower side, start with 5 to 6 glasses. Then work it up to 8 glasses or more.
2. Lemons
Lemons are loved because they have the ability to:
- Facilitate weight loss
- Improve skin complexion
- Cleanse your body
- Boost immunity
- Balance acidity
They are therefore the perfect detox cleanse for weight loss. Drinking lemon water before breakfast does your body a world of good.
3. Ginger
Ginger gives your body access to gingerols compounds which combats inflammation. These compounds also boost immunity, help the liver to function and provide relief for arthritis. It also helps to fight cancer.
Add ginger to your tea or water. If you can, chew on the roots. However, the best way to ingest ginger is by drinking it.
4. Green Tea
Green tea has quickly gained popularity as a detox drink. This is because:
- It is loaded with antioxidants
- It boosts metabolism
Dieting may cause the body to decrease metabolism to make up for lower food portions.
Green tea ensures this does not happen. Take it cold or warm and add honey to sweeten if you must.
5. Grapefruit
This fruit is high in fiber. It is also the highest in antioxidants compared to other fruits. Pick the one that is rich in color. A bright red or pink grapefruit is likely to contain a higher concentration of lycopene and carotenoid.
Eat at least half a grapefruit with your breakfast every day.
6. Broccoli
A healthy detox to lose weight must include cholesterol-fighting foods such as broccoli. It provides your body with the following detox phytonutrients:
- Gluconasturtiin
- Glucoraphanin
- Glucobrassicin
These three are able to help rid the body of contaminants.
7. Apples and Apple Cider Vinegar
These two works in tandem to ensure your body obtains the combined benefits.
Apples come loaded with soluble and insoluble fiber. It also contains pectin fiber which helps to absorb toxins. Apple cider vinegar aids in balancing your internal pH and helps in detoxification.
Add ACV to your meals and eat an apple every day.
8. Artichokes
Artichoke aids in building up the production of bile in the liver. This is great since a lot of the detox process happens there. Bile breaks down foods and assists the efficient processing of nutrients in the body.
Boil artichoke or cook them in a pressure cooker.
9. Dandelions
Like artichokes, dandelions boost the production of bile in the liver. Dandelions are no candy. To make them palatable, stir fry them or add them to soups. Alternatively, make dandelion tea. It is one of the best detox drinks to cleanse your system.
10. Collard Greens
This detox food binds to bile acids and helps to reduce your cholesterol levels. Eat them steamed in order to boost bile acid bindings. Add a little lemon juice and salt to improve taste and also to multiply the activation of enzymes.
11. Seaweed
Seaweed contains high levels of iodine which is crucial in supporting a healthy thyroid. Thyroid deficiency causes a host of problems including:
- Fatigue
- High levels of cholesterol
- Muscle weakness
Seaweed makes a great snack.
12. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a great cleanse detox flush as it cleanses the kidneys, the digestive tract as well as the bladder. It also clears uric acid from the body by increasing the regularity of passing urine as well as the amount passed.
Lemongrass can be used as a tea or flavoring.
13. Beetroots
Beets contain betalains. These phytonutrients are great for detox as it provides antioxidants as well as fight inflammation.
They work on the digestion process to subdue toxins and make them water-soluble. In this state, they are able to leave the system through urination.
Add beetroots to your smoothie or cook lightly and eat them as a side dish.
14. Basil
Basil is good for your digestion tract and also contains anti-inflammatory qualities. It also has strong medicinal qualities. Terpenoids are active ingredients which are found in basil. They help to protect the liver and maintain the kidneys.
You can use it in soups, salads, pizza or add it to your detox tea.
15. Garlic
Garlic is great for the immune system. While it is not a detox food, it helps to keep the liver in good form. It also contains a host of antioxidants as well as allium.
Add garlic to any of your healthy detox meals to add flavor. Also, don’t cook it for long as you will strip it of all nutrients.
16. Watercress
The enzymes in watercress aid in cleaning out the body to rid it of any toxic build-up. Use it in a salad, sandwich green smoothie or stir-fry.
17. Turmeric
Turmeric offers great support to the digestive tract. It assists the body to expel xenobiotic chemicals which are located in the liver. Use it in tea, eggs and salads.
Conclusion
These 17 detox foods will help expel nasty toxins in your body. In addition, they help to regulate the body when you begin your weight loss journey.
Start adding them to your diet today and your body will thank you for it.
