
21 Sep Five Powerful Detox Foods
We live in a toxic world, and our bodies are inundated with harmful substances everyday. These toxins can prevent our body from properly processing these substances, promoting symptoms like: brain fog, headaches, exhaustion, and weight gain. The following list includes five of our favorite detox foods to keep our body running optimally.
1. Cruciferous Vegetables
Arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage cauliflower, collard greens, kale, radish, and turnips are all considered cruciferous vegetables. These super detox foods are extra rich in phytochemicals, which help metabolize and balance hormones such as estrogen. They are great for metabolic detoxification and liver support.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is hyper rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which help balance liver detoxification pathways. Green tea is excellent for weight loss, research has also suggested that drinking green tea can protect the liver from diseases including fatty liver disease (1). Try swapping this antioxidant powerhouse for your coffee in the morning!
3. Beets
Beets, you either love them or hate them, but let us make their case. Beets support a process in the body called methylation. Methylation is key in turning on genes that lead to good health, and also in turning off genes that lead to poor health. Beets also support Phase II liver detoxification, which processes toxins so that they become water soluble and able to pass through and out of the body through urine and feces. They are incredibly anti-inflammatory because of their high levels of betaine. And, if you haven’t started to love them yet, they also contain a high amount of fiber, which improves digestion and elimination!
4. Lemons
When life gives you lemons….eat them! 😉 You might be aware that citrus fruits are packed with Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Did you also know that they have an alkaline effect on the body? This means that they can help restore the body’s ph balance (or, the acid-base balance). The more balanced our body is, the better it functions. Try starting your day with hot water and a slice of lemon to both support your gut microbiome and help your liver to flush out toxins and cleanse your system.
5. Berries
Who doesn’t love berries?! Berries such as: blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries include powerful antoxidants called anthocyanins. These antioxidants give them their deep, dark color and help fight free radical damage. They can increase blood flow to the kidneys, helping them filter out toxins better. Berries are also thought to be anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective (they protect your blood vessels!). Another excellent benefit of berries is that they contain the flavonoid anthocyanin, which helps your body produce adiponectin, a hormone that’s been linked to lower glucose levels, curbed cravings, and boosted metabolism (2).
What’s your favorite detox food? Tell us in the comments!
References
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4763469/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24595303/
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