
With our hectic and stressful lifestyle, maintaining a work-life balance is not a cakewalk and on top of that, the compromise in the diet and physical activity regime leads to health problems, disrupted mental health, and whatnot.
The kind of dietary and living patterns we have presently, our body requires constant detoxification in order to function properly. Detoxification is a very crucial step for a healthy mind and body.
Well, eating just a bunch of healthy foods once in a while would really not help in the process. Instead, following a well-planned detox diet is where the focus should be.
Here is a quick guide for you as to how to detox yourself with the help of the best detox foods out there.
What is Detoxification?
Before delving into any kind of detox diet plan, let us first understand the concept of detoxification.
Detoxification, also known as detoxication, is the physiological or therapeutic elimination of poisonous or toxic compounds from the human body.
The liver is where detoxification begins. Your liver essentially achieves this in two steps, despite the fact that it’s a difficult procedure.
Toxic chemicals are converted to highly reactive metabolites, which are eventually excreted. Detoxification is aided by your kidneys, lungs, and even your gut.
Interestingly, your body undergoes the process of detoxification naturally but it is important to put in your own efforts to effectively carry out the process, especially if you have had a boozy night or an eating dump.
Detox Diet: Your Way to Cleanse your Body
A detox diet is much more than eating just a fruit a day or consuming a glass of juice. A proper detox diet requires you to make many changes in your present eating pattern and living habits.
The most important technique to detox is to eat a balanced diet. To begin with, eliminate foods that restrict detoxification or make you more toxic. You can start by avoiding simple sugars like fructose, which is found in soda (as high-fructose corn syrup or HFCS) as well as fruit juices and commercial juice cleanses.
According to research, this simple sugar can play a role in chronic disorders including obesity and can cause an increase in chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to obesity.
Next, try avoiding trans fats and unhealthy fats. Remember, even if the front label reads “low in fat,” these fats can be found in processed goods that have been “partially hydrogenated” in the ingredients.
Many people resort to active fasting plans to detoxify their body, the most common being intermittent fasting like monk fast, keto diets, etc. which also favor weight loss. Diet sources like fluids, keto electrolytes, fruits, healthy nuts, etc. are great options to rejuvenate your body and flush out the toxins.
One of the smart approaches is to put focus on natural food sources to support the process of detoxification rather than trying to imitate their advantages with the help of consuming nutritional supplements. They should be the last of your choice when the diet particularly fails to work for you.
Best Foods to Detox Your Body
Lemon
Lemons are one of the best food choices when it comes to taking care of your bowel system and maintaining good digestion. That is why it is advised to consume lemon water right after you wake up early morning to kickstart your digestion.
Lemon is also a great antioxidant and an excellent source of Vitamin C which prevents the formation of free radicals thus preventing oxidative stress in the body.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are not only high in vitamins and nutrients, but they’re also high in water, making them an excellent way to stay hydrated while snacking.
Cucumbers, with their high water content and pectin levels, assist maintain regularity because dehydration can cause constipation (a soluble fiber).
Beets
Beetroots are a very rich source of fiber and B-Vitamins. They’re recognized for being vasodilators, which aid to enhance blood flow, which benefits blood pressure, brain function, and athletic performance.
Beetroots are also excellent blood purifiers and natural cleansers which is what makes them the best choice for detoxification.
Ginger
Ginger helps in digestion and prevents bloating and gas formation. It serves as a strong antioxidant and is quite beneficial for our immune system.
Ginger is also used as a therapeutic food to cure common illness symptoms. Try drinking ginger tea or adding freshly grated ginger to a fruit or vegetable juice to aid digestion.
Cabbage
Cabbage is high in anticancer and antioxidant chemicals, and it aids in the breakdown of excess hormones in the liver. Like most cruciferous vegetables (including broccoli and sprouts), cabbage contains sulforaphane, a substance that aids the body’s detoxification process. Cabbage also provides the body with glutathione, an antioxidant that aids in the liver’s detoxification process.
Moreover, cabbage is also a great choice for weight loss and helps in proper digestion and bowel movement.
Green Tea
Along with food, the body also needs fluids to maintain hydration and carry out detoxification. Fluids are necessary for the health of our organs and the removal of toxins from the body, and drinking green tea is a fantastic way to increase your intake.
Green tea is abundant in antioxidants as well as being a fantastic weight-loss drink. Green tea may help protect the liver from disorders such as fatty liver disease, according to research.
Garlic
For a long time, garlic is known to prevent heart problems. It is an antiviral, antimicrobial, and antioxidant food that contains allicin. It is a substance that boosts the development of white blood cells and aids in the fight against pollutants.
Avocados
Avocados are nutritional powerhouses and are packed with the goodness of many important minerals and vitamins. It helps in lowering cholesterol and dilating blood vessels.
Glutathione is a vitamin found in avocados that helps the liver detoxify synthetic toxins while blocking at least thirty distinct carcinogens.
Turmeric
Talking of good health and missing turmeric? Not fair! Turmeric’s major ingredient, curcumin, helps in effective liver functioning by flushing out toxins and increasing antioxidants thus preventing free radical formation.
Moreover, turmeric is also of great medicinal importance when it comes to treating various disease symptoms.
Turmeric in your daily diet work wonders for the liver, brain, skin, heart, and probably every other organ you can name. However, make sure you do not consume it in excessive amounts as it can cause kidney stones and sometimes mild stomach problems.
Blueberries
It, considered one of the most potent healing foods, include natural aspirin, which helps to reduce the tissue-damaging effects of chronic inflammation while also reducing pain.
Blueberries also work as antibiotics, preventing infections by inhibiting germs in the urinary tract. They also have antiviral characteristics and aid in preventing poisons from entering the brain through the blood-brain barrier.
Additionally, you can also consume water-rich fruits like watermelon, oranges, peaches, pineapples, etc. Try to eat nuts and oilseeds etc. which contain healthy fats. Choose green leafy vegetables
Bottom Line
Cleansing or detoxifying your body regularly is very essential. Now, everything healthy does NOT taste bad.
So, yes you can consume ample amounts of wholesome, nutritious, and delicious foods along with taking proper care of your hydration and sleep. That way, you will be able to follow a more effective and well-to-do detoxification plan with good health.