17 Detox Foods That May Improve Daily Health
The human body is well designed to perform specific tasks. One such task is detoxification.
It is done by eliminating unwanted and harmful substances from the body.
The liver performs this job well. However, some foods make the process easier.
You do not have to starve, torture your taste buds or follow a strict cleanse regime for it. Some delicious foods can detoxify the body.
These healthy options are also nutritious and filling foods.
To know more about these gems and their benefits, check out the list below.
Contents
List Of Best Detox Foods
Following are a few of the most commonly used detox foods-
Beetroot
Drinking a glass of beetroot juice, adding it to salads, or using its powder will naturally eliminate toxins from the body.
Beetroot is a perfectly juicy and refreshing addition to the diet.
Red beets contain betaine. It is a compound that lowers inflammation and helps flush out toxins from the body.
The phytonutrients present in beetroot play an important role in liver detoxification.
Beets also sustain healthy metabolism due to the presence of nitrates. The body uses these nitrates to convert them into nitric oxide which dilates blood.
The manufacturers of Pre Lab Pro have also used beetroot extract in the list of ingredients.
Ginger
The sharp and hot spicy flavor of ginger smashes hard when added to foods.
Ginger tea is also a traditional cure for a cold and sore throat. It is a versatile spice when it comes to utility.
If you are or were an alcoholic with liver problems and difficulty in digestion, ginger might help.
Although ginger cannot cure severe damage or eliminate chunks of fat stores, it might help to some extent.
It is an antioxidant-rich spice that can reduce bloating, reduce nausea and help the body get rid of toxins.
Drinking ginger tea or chewing a small piece of ginger will be a powerful punch to the immune system.
Lemon
Lemon contains Vitamin C and has been an integral part of detox for ages.
Besides the property of antioxidants to fight free radicals and get away with toxins, lemons provide much more.
They alkalize the body helping in balancing the pH. An optimal pH aids in healthy body functioning. The lemon flavor adds a tangy twist to your detox routine.
The perfect way to embed lemon in your routine for detox is to squeeze a lemon wedge in a glass of hot water and consume it on an empty stomach.
Moreover, a lemon detox program that includes a low-calorie diet could balance insulin resistance and promote fat loss as well.
Garlic
It is believed that garlic is rich in antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Chewing a clove of raw garlic fetches maximum benefits.
The organo-sulfur compounds help in increasing healthy detoxification enzymes.
Also, the presence of allicin in garlic boosts the production of white blood cells. Hence, it improves the ability to fight toxins.
Having a clove of raw garlic early in the morning might be difficult due to the sharp taste and odor but it cleanses the body well.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a prominent soup and salad ingredient.
This cruciferous vegetable is not only weight loss friendly but also a great detox food.
It acts as a diuretic which helps remove extra fluid and toxins from the body.
It is also rich in the compound sulforaphane which fights against toxins. Glutathione present in it is an antioxidant.
It improves liver performance by boosting the detox function. It activates two detox enzymes in the liver to readily flushes out toxins.
You can also add other detox foods to the soup to increase efficiency. You can also replace regular sugary drinks with cabbage juice.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is rich in vitamin B, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium. These nutrients are great detox agents.
Moreover, the fiber present in brown rice cleanses the colon.
It also contains selenium which protects the biggest human detox organ i.e. liver.
Artichoke
You might have heard that artichoke is great for reducing alcohol hangovers.
Traditionally, it has been used as a medicine to promote gut health and treat the liver of alcoholics.
Be it an alcoholic or not, artichokes are great for detox. They are a powerhouse of antioxidants that prevent free radical damage.
Eating artichokes increase bile flow. As it is a diuretic, it increases urine production and eliminates toxins.
The compound cynarine helps increase bile and fights toxins.
The flavonoid silymarin adds up to the advantage as it protects the cell membranes and our detox organ liver.
For its proven detox benefits in several studies, it is now being used as a detox food supplement.
Watercress
Watercress is rich in beta carotene which is a powerful antioxidant. Besides this, the detox enzymes present in watercress aid in phase 2 detoxification.
It is dense in detox nutrients like vitamin B, zinc and vitamin C. Compounds present in watercress convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins.
Regular consumption of watercress might help in reducing the chances of cancer by increasing carotenoid concentrations.
These can be easily eliminated by the body through urine and sweat. A study also found out that watercress extract helps remove cancer-causing toxins from the body.
Bananas
Bananas are a top-tier pre-meal snack. They are also a great addition to the diet for detox. Bananas are rich in pectin.
This is a jelly-like fiber that sticks to toxins. Thus, it gets easier for the body to flush them out through pee.
Bananas also reduce water retention and belly bloat. They boost bloat-fighting bacteria and act as a natural gut cleanser.
Asparagus
Asparagus holds the potential to fill your plate with scrumptious delicacy. Moreover, it is great for your detox organ (liver).
It is rich in an antioxidant called glutathione which promotes detoxification.
Alongside this, other nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K support the process of detoxification and blood pressure control.
Even kidneys and bladder get a natural cleanse by consuming asparagus.
Sulfur and chlorophyll present in it aid in flushing out heavy toxic metals like mercury and lead.
Collard Greens
Collard greens, when steamed, block excessive cholesterol and may aid in lowering blood pressure.
They are also great anti-inflammatory agents. Collard greens promote the production of detoxifying enzymes in the liver.
They are rich in Vitamin K and alkalizing chlorophyll. These help in fighting cancer-causing toxins and oxidative stress.
Wild Salmon
Omega-3s cannot be overlooked when it comes to health. Combatting toxins gets easier with a punch of these fats which the body might source from a variety of foods.
Salmon is one potential source of omega-3s. They reduce the impact of toxins and promote better blood flow. They also increase the elasticity of arteries.
Avocados
Avocados are filling, delicious, and on top of all great for detox. They are rich in glutathione which flushes out toxins from the liver.
Also, avocados help flourish the growth of healthy microbes in the gut. Eating half an avocado a day will boost satiety, provide fiber and keep the body toxin free.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds can simultaneously perform several tasks. They provide fiber, aid in weight loss, and assist in detoxification.
Some people prefer drinking chia water every morning as a part of their detox routine. they may help in improving absorption and are a rich source of calcium and protein.
However, eating chia pudding, drinking smoothies, or adding a tablespoon of chia seeds to a salad will give you the same benefits.
As they are a promising source of omega-3 fatty acids, you will reap some heart health benefits besides detox.
Wild Blueberries
Blueberries are filled with an antioxidant called anthocyanin. This proportion is higher in wild varieties than in traditionally cultured ones.
Antioxidants promote detox by fighting free radicals in the body.
Eating blueberries provide enough fiber to sustain gut health. The fiber binds with toxins that do not allow it to flow back to the bloodstream.
Sweet Potatoes
The sweet orange-looking potatoes are not just a winter-friendly meal.
Sweet potatoes have abundant proportions of vitamin K and potassium. It also contains fiber that promotes the eradication of toxins.
The phytochelatins present in sweet potatoes bind with heavy metals and aid in flushing them out of your body.
Herbal Or Green Tea
Hibiscus tea, white tea, and green tea are three healthy options that promote detox.
They are full of antioxidants and flush out extra fluid and toxins. The catechins present in green tea boost anti-inflammatory function.
Hibiscus tea removes fluids and sodium from the body.
Likewise, white tea is a part of several belly tea cleanse programs as it promotes fat breakdown. Antioxidants and polyphenols promote body cleansing naturally.
Conclusion
Foods are an overlooked aspect of body detox. However, diet can regulate detoxification better than supplements.
The foods mentioned above help regulate detox. Besides food, you should drink enough water so that the body can smoothly eliminate toxins.
Drinking lemon water, green tea, and herbal teas are a flavourful way to boost liquid intake.
Taking care of your daily routine and making the right choices make all the difference.