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Eating a variety of naturally cleansing and detoxifying foods is a great way to support overall health. Here, you can find a list of foods for gentle, everyday detoxing, their benefits, simple tips, and delicious recipes.
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From pollutants in our water, air and food, there's no escaping toxins. That's why it is essential to help our bodies flush them out by regularly consuming foods that support our organs and detoxification pathways.
Thankfully, many foods are naturally cleansing and detoxifying. Eating a balanced diet of clean, whole foods is the best way to incorporate a variety of them into your daily diet.
Benefits of Everyday Detoxing
Gentle on the body. Strict cleanses and detoxes can be beneficial, and at times, necessary. However, supporting the body each day with naturally detoxifying foods is a gentle way to keep our detoxification organs and pathways functioning optimally.
Reduces negative effects of bigger fasts, cleanses and detoxes. Regularly supporting the body's detoxification system lessens our toxic load. This can help reduce negative symptoms that can be brought on when doing a fast, cleanse or detox.
Clearer skin and less body odour. Since the skin is the largest organ, it plays a large role in detoxifying the body. When our bodies are overloaded, toxins can begin to come out of the skin through acne, rashes and body odour. The lungs are also a big detoxifier, so regularly consuming foods that clear our detox pathways can also help reduce bad breath.
Less Inflammation. Supporting the body every day with clean, whole foods that are naturally detoxifying can help prevent toxins from accumulating and causing inflammation.
Naturally Cleansing & Detoxifying Foods
Eating a well-rounded diet, consisting of lots of colourful vegetables, dark leafy greens, seasonal fruits and healthy fats, is the best way to ensure you're getting a daily dose of health-promoting, cleansing and detoxifying foods.
Fruits & Vegetables
- Beets are full of nutrients that support the liver and colon. They are also a gentle yet powerful blood purifier.
- Leafy greens are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and water, which can flush the body of toxins.
- Cruciferous vegetables contain nutrients needed for glutathione production, which is an antioxidant that plays a crucial role in the body's ability to detoxify.
- Avocados are rich in liver-supporting nutrients and contain the powerful detoxifying antioxidant, glutathione.
- Citrus fruits (especially lemon) are rich sources of liver-supporting nutrients, contain antimicrobial properties, and the acidity can help break down fats and toxins.
- Blueberries contain compounds that can help to protect the liver and kidneys.
- Apples are an excellent source of pectin, which helps to heal, seal and protect the intestinal tract, which can improve the body's ability to eliminate toxins and prevent them from escaping into the bloodstream.
Herbs & Spices
- Dandelion root is full of vitamins and minerals that support the liver and kidneys. It's also a diuretic that can help to flush toxins out.
- Cilantro is an excellent heavy metal detoxifier.
- Dill makes a delicious digestive aid that can also help metabolize toxins.
- Fresh Garlic not only contains powerful antimicrobial and antifungal properties, it also contains many compounds that activate liver enzymes.
- Onions, like garlic, are rich in sulphur compounds that can activate liver enzymes. They are also a good source of certain amino acids that help to detoxify the body of heavy metals.
- Ginger root can aid digestion, stimulate circulation, and increase sweating, all of which contribute to the elimination of toxins. Ginger is also rich in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Turmeric root can support liver function by balancing and metabolizing hormones, reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals. Like ginger, it's also a good source of antimicrobial properties.
More Cleansing Foods
- Pumpkin seeds are rich in antiparasitic properties. Plus, they are one of the easiest seeds to digest.
- Green and Blue Algae can bind to and carry toxins out of the body. They are also rich in antioxidants that can help prevent free radical damage. Also, Chlorella is a specific algae that is especially great for detoxifying heavy metals.
- Fermented foods improve gut health and digestion, which is essential for the body's ability to metabolize and eliminate toxins.
- Apple Cider Vinegar can stimulate bile production, improve digestion and break down fats and toxins.
Simple Ways to Support Detoxification Every Day
- Stay hydrated to help flush out toxins and keep your organs functioning optimally.
- Eat a variety of fibrous foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes for healthy and regular elimination of toxins through the intestinal tract.
- Cook with fresh herbs for their richness in antioxidants and antimicrobial properties.
- Eat organic or homegrown to reduce exposure to toxic pesticides and herbicides.
- Stick to whole foods and homemade meals to reduce toxins that can be found in factory-made foods.
Top Tips
Eat antioxidant-rich foods to prevent damage from free radicals that can be released during the detoxification process.
Drink clean, filtered water to reduce exposure to toxins found in town and city-treated water. It's also best to drink out of glass cups and bottles whenever possible to avoid toxins that can leach from plastic bottles.
Don't skip the protein, as it's needed for healthy organ function and is the best source of many B vitamins, which are crucial for metabolic function.
Don't fear healthy fats. They play a crucial role in reducing inflammation, supporting healthy bowel function, and absorbing liver-supporting nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K.
10 Cleansing & Detoxifying Recipes
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