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9 Foods That Will Help Detox Your Body
by Grace Jacobs
Whether you’ve been overindulging lately or just feel like your body needs a bit of TLC, taking a food detox is a great way to feel refreshed and healthy. By picking unprocessed (or minimally processed) foods free of artificial additives, excess sugars, and other “nasties,” you can give your body, mind, and spirit a quality cleansing.
1. Lemon
Lemons almost always feature in any detox food guide, and there’s a good reason for it! Lemons are absolutely packed full of essential nutrients and antioxidants like Vitamin C that effectively fight free radicals that can cause disease or wear out the skin. In addition to fighting these nasty elements, lemons also have an alkaline effect affect on the body, so they can restore your pH balance and aid the immune system.
2. Garlic
Garlic is an excellent detoxifier thanks to the plant’s natural antiviral, antibacterial, and antibiotic qualities. It also contains allicin, which is used to support and promote white blood cell production, which in turn fights off toxins and disease. Garlic offers the most health benefits when eaten raw (adding it to salad dressing helps with the intense flavor!).
3. Ginger
Ginger is widely credited as an excellent aid for reducing nausea and is popular with sailors to help with seasickness. In addition to nausea-reducing benefits, ginger is also great for improving your digestion, reducing bloating, and easing gas. The high antioxidant content in ginger provides an excellent boost to the immune system and is the perfect thing to consume if you’ve been overindulging on food or alcohol.
4. Beetroot
Beetroot is definitely a superfood, packed full of magnesium, iron, and Vitamin C. It’s brilliant for supporting liver detoxification and is excellent for your skin, hair, nails, and even your cholesterol!
5. Artichoke
Artichoke is a wonderful detox food, particularly if you’ve been indulging in fatty foods or alcohol. Globe artichokes, in particular, are packed full of antioxidants and fiber, and can even be used to aid the digestion of fatty foods, so you feel less gross after a binge. The plant can also stimulate and develop liver function, which is essential for fighting toxins.
6. Cabbage
Cabbage might not be the most inspiring of the veggies, but there’s no doubt it’s an excellent detox superfood. In fact, many celebrities cite the “cabbage soup diet” as their choice for getting in shape fast. But cabbage isn’t just a weight loss aid; it’s also full of toxin-fighting and liver-supporting components such as sulforaphane and glutathione.
7. Watercress
While pretty much any fresh fruit and veggies are fantastic healthy food choices, watercress is particularly great for a detox thanks to the detoxifying nutrients found in the leaves. These nutrients include several B vitamins, plus zinc, potassium, and Vitamins C and E. Watercress also includes natural diuretic properties, which the body uses to flush out toxins and other nasties.
8. Fresh Fruit
It probably goes without saying that fresh fruit is an essential part of any detox diet. Full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber while remaining low in calories, fresh fruits and veggies really are the best way to enjoy a wide range of health benefits. Offering benefits such as brighter eyes, clearer skin, shinier hair, improved digestion, and so much more, fresh fruit should form part of any healthy diet.
9. Tofu
Because meats are best avoided during a detox diet, it’s essential to find an alternative healthy protein source to keep your body strong and functioning during the diet. Not only tofu is an excellent source of protein and fiber and is low in fat, but you can even learn how to make tofu taste like chicken, which makes it an excellent detoxing option. Use a tofu press to squeeze the excess liquid out of your tofu before cooking so it can absorb the other flavors and nutrients in your dish and develop the perfect crispy exterior.
Don’t forget the drink!
In addition to getting the right detox-friendly foods, it’s important not to overlook beverages when you’re dieting. Sugary drinks like cola or alcohol should, obviously, be avoided, while water infused with lemon and cucumber will help you feel revitalized and rejuvenated.
Green tea is an excellent choice of beverage when you’re detoxing. Not only is this drink awesome for weight loss, but it’s also incredibly high in antioxidants and can help protect the liver from various diseases. It’s essential to stay hydrated while detoxing and remember that consuming plenty of liquids will help your detox superfoods do their job and flush out those nasty toxins.
We’re feeling better already!