The health of our bodies is a crucial aspect of wellness and disease prevention. When our bodies are functioning optimally, we feel better, think more clearly, have more energy, and look our best!
Our bodies are pretty amazing. We are all equipped with natural mechanisms to remove toxins from the body. The liver, sweat, and urine are all ways our body does this.
However, as we get older, we need to give our bodies a little extra help, as our lifestyles may overwork these processes.
Diet, lifestyle, various chemical and environmental toxins and age can all slow down the body’s elimination process.
I am all for balance and keeping things simple, because we are more likely to make changes and stick with them. So, in this article, I will look at 5 foods that will help your body detoxify naturally, which are easy to get hold of and that you can start using today.
Signs of toxicity
Toxicity in our bodies is common, and much of it we can put down to lifestyle. It’s worth paying attention and really noticing when your body is out of whack. Some of the common symptoms of toxicity include, but are not limited to:
- Unexplained fatigue
- Sluggish elimination
- Irritated skin
- Allergies
- Low-grade infection
- Puffy eyes or bags under the eyes
- Bloating
- Menstrual problems
- Mental confusion
If you recognise any of these symptoms, then it may be worth having a look at your lifestyle and diet and seeing where you can improve.
Like with any advice I give, begin by cutting down on alcohol, sugar and processed food. Drink more water, get good sleep, exercise and pay attention to your breathing.
Here are my top 5 detoxification superfoods
Black garlic
It’s the same as garlic, but has undergone a type of fermentation process which changes it’s colour. The health benefits of garlic are endless. It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and it protects the liver.
Originating in Asia, black garlic is more powerful than normal garlic. It has been aged through a process called Maillard reaction, where garlic bulbs are heated to 76ºC for 30 days, which gives it a black colour. It is during this fermentation process, that the allicin in garlic is turned into a more powerful antioxidant called S-allylcysteine (SAC).
Black garlic has many health benefits, including aiding detoxification and improving the health of your liver.
You can buy it as a bulb and eat it raw. It has a soft chewy texture and a sweet taste.
Because of its pleasant flavour, you can use it in both sweet and savoury dishes. You can also buy black garlic as a powder, supplements or as an oil.
You can find black garlic bulbs online, in health food shops, and even in some supermarkets.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a super herb that helps fight inflammation in the body. It is good for the liver and aids detoxification, reducing the risk of liver disease.
It also supports the immune system. You can use it fresh or as a powder. Fresh turmeric root, looks a little like fresh ginger. Be careful when preparing, though, as it really stains your hands.
You can add turmeric to food, or drink it as a tea. A traditional Indian drink is ‘Golden Milk’, where you add turmeric to warmed plant milk along with some honey and black pepper which makes a relaxing drink with many health benefits.
There are also many turmeric supplements on the market.
Broccoli sprouts
These contain up to 100 times more nutrients than normal broccoli.
They improve liver enzyme activity and increase the production of glutathione, an antioxidant that protects cells from damage.
You can add sprouts to salads, smoothies, dips or sandwiches and wraps.
Try growing them yourself at home – it’s really easy! All you need is a spouting jar, which you can find online and some seeds – that way you always have them fresh when you need them.
Matcha green tea
Matcha is a powerful antioxidant that reduces cellular damage and ageing. It also assists with liver detoxification and boosts energy, boosts brain function and many other benefits.
It’s made from young tea leaves which are ground into a bright green powder.
Incorporate Matcha tea into your daily life by replacing a tea or cup of coffee with a matcha latte using a plant-based milk.
You will also find Matcha Lattes available in many high street coffee shops.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit really is a superfruit! It is one of the best fruits for detoxifying the kidneys and liver, helping clear impurities from the blood. This is because of the high levels of pectin, a gelatinous fiber that sticks to toxins in the blood and flushes them out of the body through the urine.
A word of warning – grapefruit can interact with certain medications, so if this is relevant to you, consult your doctor.
Good luck on your detoxification journey
I hope you found this article useful. Just by cutting back on some toxins in your life and increasing these 5 foods, you will help your body detoxify naturally.
If you want bespoke nutritional lifestyle, weight management advice then get in touch.