10 Healthy Foods That Helps in Detoxification

Even if we eat healthy and drink the purest water, we cannot escape exposure to toxins. Air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution can still lead to a high level of toxicity within our bodies.

A high level of toxins in the body can cause chronic fatigue, extreme weakness, inflammation, sinus-related health issues like congestion, digestive disorders like gas and bloating, as well as skin problems like acne, rashes, eczema, psoriasis and excessive skin dryness.

The body naturally eliminates toxins to avoid heath problems and the process of detoxification assists the liver and gallbladder in carrying out this function.

Detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. It protects your body from diseases and promotes optimum health.

Detoxification is not a complex process. It can be done by adding detox foods to your diet. There are many detox foods that will help the liver eliminate harmful toxins and keep the body clean and healthy.

# Lemon

Packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, lemon is considered a powerful detoxifying ingredient. The high amount of vitamin C in lemon is required by the body to make a compound called glutathione. Glutathione helps the liver in the detoxification process.

Plus, though acidic in nature, lemon has as an alkaline effect on the body, which in turn helps restore the body’s pH levels.

# Beetroot

Beetroot is truly one of the most powerful foods to help detoxify the body. It contains betaine and pectin, which help protect the liver and the digestive system. These chemicals can cleanse the body, thus reducing the amount of toxins you may be carrying around. It also helps stabilize the blood’s acid-alkaline balance (pH), which in turn supports healthy detoxification.

# Green Tea

Green tea is a great addition to any detox program due to its high antioxidant value. Of all the potent antioxidant compounds in green tea, the most powerful are catechins called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Catechins help the body get rid of free radicals. Plus, they improve liver functioning, which is essential for detoxification.

# Avocado

Packed full of antioxidants, avocado helps to remove harmful toxins from your body. A nutrient called glutathione present in avocados can block at least 30 different carcinogens, while helping the liver detoxify synthetic chemicals.

Plus, researchers at the University of Michigan found that people who had high levels of glutathione were healthier and less likely to suffer from arthritis.

# Cabbage

Another affordable detox superfood is cabbage. The glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds, found in cabbage make it a powerful detoxifying food. Glucosinolates aid in breaking down harmful chemicals in the body, from pesticides to prescription drugs.

In addition to cleansing the liver due to its high vitamin C content, cabbage also provides fiber to aid in regulating bowel movements which in turn helps the body get rid of harmful toxins.

# Garlic

Garlic has been used as a strong detox food since ancient times. The sulfur-containing compounds in garlic help fight harmful bacteria and yeast in the intestines. It also aids detoxification by increasing production of glutathione that helps filter toxins from the digestive system.

Plus, garlic contains a high amount of vitamin C that helps boost the immune system and support liver functioning.

# Cauliflower

Cauliflower is high in phytochemicals called glucosinolates and hence helps in the detoxification process. Glucosinolates are broken down in the intestines to compounds called isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol. These compounds regulate the body’s detoxification enzymes.

Plus, cauliflower contains vitamin C that supports liver functioning and vitamin K that helps protect the liver from damage and fights free radicals.

# Ginger

Ginger is also considered one of the best detoxifying herbs. The compounds called gingerols and shogaols in ginger promote detoxification by speeding the movement of food through the intestines. This in turn helps remove harmful waste and toxins from the colon, liver and other organs.

Ginger is also beneficial to your liver, especially if you’re suffering from a fatty liver caused by drinking too much alcohol.

# Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which help the body’s detoxification. Fiber adds bulk to the content of the intestines, in turn promoting bowel regularity. This helps the body eliminate harmful toxins, cholesterol and other waste products processed by the liver.

Plus, flaxseeds are loaded with essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3s that are essential for many cleansing functions and maintaining a healthy immune system.

# Apples

Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber, pectin, in apples helps prevent plaque buildup in blood vessels. The insoluble fiber, cellulose, adds bulk to waste products and helps the digestive system move the waste quickly through the intestinal tract.

For detoxification, you can try a two-day apple fast. During these two days, simply eat apples along with beverages like water and herbal tea only. You cannot eat anything else during this period.