10 Detox foods for daily
cleanse support
Some cleanses involve varying stages of starvation
combined with laxative herbs and gallons of fiber drinks. But a good detox is
actually easier—and tastier—than you might think. The goal is to stimulate
liver enzymes, increase bowel movements to empty intestines of waste, and help
the kidneys eliminate toxins that build up in your tissues, organs, and blood.
It’s TLC for your digestive system, and it benefits every part of your
body.
The key points: First, Avoid meat, cheese, fats, soy, chocolate, sugar, and
salty foods. Second, emphasize lots of liquids and plant-based, high-fiber,
organic foods to stimulate the colon and reduce intake of new toxins. Best of
all, focus on foods with specific cleansing properties, starting with these
delicious detoxifiers.
Try to include at least five of these in your diet every
day, eating only enough to feel sated, never full. Stick to it, and you’ll see
and feel results—more energy, clearer brain, and even weight loss—in as little as
a week.
Artichoke
This edible flower bud augments the
detox work of the kidneys and liver. It’s also rich in liver- protective
agents, including cynarin, a compound that stimulates the liver and
gallbladder. One artichoke contains a robust 10 grams of colon-sweeping fiber,
for only 65 calories.
How to use: Steam and serve with a roasted red pepper sauce; toss
bottled, drained artichoke hearts into salads and pasta sauces.
Daikon radish
This spicy root (it looks like a large, white carrot) is traditionally used
to clear mucus from the body and remove toxins. Daikon, like other brassicas,
contains a group of cancer-fighting chemicals called glucosinolates, including
glucobrassicin. Chewing daikon releases an enzyme that eventually converts glucobrassicin
into diindolylmethane (DIM), a compound that neutralizes harmful forms of
estrogen.
How to use: Peel, grate or shred, and layer into sandwiches;
cut into coins for crudités; toss chunks into bean stew.
Flaxseeds
They’re the highest dietary source of lignans, fiber like compounds that
detoxify harmful forms of estrogen. Flaxseeds also provide anti- inflammatory
omega-3 fatty acids, and their high fiber content stimulates bowel movement.
How to use: Stir 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed daily into
cereal, smoothies, or juice
Garlic
Like rosemary, antibacterial garlic encourages production of glutathione, a
potent detoxifying antioxidant, enabling the liver to complete the detox
process.
It’s also high in
sulfur-containing compounds and antioxidants that protect cells from damage.
How to use: Mash or mince one clove daily and eat it raw or
lightly cooked; mix into hummus, blend into dressings, or eat straight up.
Green tea
Long known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, green tea
also supports the liver and increases detoxifying enzymes—in one study, by as
much as 80 percent. Its mild caffeine content, along with calming L-theanine
and alkalizing properties, make it a good way to start your day during a
cleanse.
How to use: Drink 2–4 cups daily; use as soup broth, too.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens such as spinach are alkalizing, and are rich in blood-cleansing
and cancer-preventive chlorophyll. Choose watercress, arugula, collards, kale,
and other members of the brassica family, and you’ll also help your body
eliminate harmful forms of estrogen.
How to use: Blend avocado, frozen banana, light coconut milk,
and a handful of baby spinach for a detoxifying smoothie.
Lemon
Alkalizing lemon balances acidity caused by excess animal protein, sugar,
and grains. Lemon also loosens and draws out mucus, and sweeps toxins from the
liver.
How to use: Squeeze half a lemon in warm water or green tea
and drink every morning to stay hydrated and stimulate intestinal- tract
muscles.
Rosemary
“This herb is a powerful liver stimulant that can double the quantity of
bile and therefore reject toxins,”.
It’s
also rich in carnosic acid, a compound that helps the body produce detoxifying
glutathione.
How to use: Mince and sprinkle on cooked root vegetables;
blend into salad dressings.
Sea vegetables
They’re alkalizing, like leafy greens, vegetables also contain carbohydrate-
like compounds called fucans, which reduce inflammation in the body, and some
research suggests they benefit the liver and protect the body from radiation.
How to use: Think of seaweed as an herb or vegetable. Toss a
piece or two of dried wakame or hijiki into a pot of soup or add a bit of flavor to
salad dressings. Sprinkle kelp seasoning onto popcorn. Use sea palm or kelp
noodles for pasta dishes.
Turmeric
Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to detoxify the liver, curcumin—the
active ingredient in turmeric—has been shown to increase the liver’s ability to
neutralize toxic chemicals. Curcumin also boosts bile flow, reduces
inflammation in the liver, and maintains colon health.
How to use: Look for ground turmeric in bulk; work up to
1⁄4–1⁄2 teaspoon daily, sprinkled on scrambled eggs, added to marinara or
pesto, or stirred into cooked brown rice. (Be careful, it stains!)
Remember to start slowly and consult with your Doctor before you start a detox.
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