Detox is an on-going process of neutralizing and flushing out the dietary and environmental toxins of the body. Fortunately, nature has provided us with foods that come with natural goodness.
Why Detox?
Every day, our body is exposed to different toxins such as air pollution, food additives, pesticides, alcohol, cigarette smoke, and heavy metals. Eventually the build up of these toxins will interrupt the normal physiological processes. By detoxification, toxins are eliminated and enable the body to function optimally.
Superfoods for detoxification
Almond
Almonds have been a symbol of beauty for many years. It is one of the commonly used natural oils in the cosmetic industry. It contains vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, magnesium, and calcium.
Lemons
Lemons are highly regarded as the number one detox food. It is naturally packed with vitamins C that are touted to restore the alkaline-acid balance of the body.
Ways to consume lemons: A traditional way to use lemon in detoxification is by adding the juice of a quarter of a lemon to a glass of lukewarm water. The water should be best drink first thing in the morning. Also, you can squeeze lemon wedges on top of your salad or dishes to flavor up.
Seaweeds
Seaweed includes dulse, kelp, nori, wakame, and agar. These superfoods are common to various regions of Asian countries. Seaweeds contain overflowing amount of minerals such as iodine, which helps in the production of thyroid hormone, regulates metabolism, and flushes out toxins in the body.
Ways to consume seaweeds: There are many ways to incorporate seaweeds to your diet. Chopped dulse can be added to salads and sandwiches while Nori can be cut into thin strips and combined on salads, rice or soups. Wakame are often used in miso soups and kelp noodles are also popular.
Cabbage
This humble cruciferous vegetable contains high levels of glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that are converted into active forms isothiocyanates and indoles. Isothiocyanates aids in eliminating the potent carcinogens from the body.
Ways to consume cabbage: Lightly cook cabbage and consume it directly or added to your favorite meal. You can also add raw cabbage in juices, smoothies or salads.
Garlic
Garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds that boost the body’s ability to detox by increasing the production of glutathione. This glutathione plays a vital role in eliminating certain types of toxins.
Ways to consume garlic: Crushed or chopped garlic can be added to salad dressing or as a concoction to your favorite dip.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is traditionally used in Thailand to cleanse several organs like the liver, kidneys, bladder, and the digestive tract. Its high levels of nutrients are all essential for better complexion, circulation, and digestion.
Ways to consume lemongrass: Lemongrass used in cooking or consumed as tea.
Conclusion
Some of the above mentioned superfoods may be too hard to incorporate in your diet, but you can always come up with your own detox plan that you feel good about. Keep in mind that each of these superfoods provides a huge impact to the detoxification process, so you can focus on a single superfood.
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