A high quality detox is a significant aspect of the holistic approach to good health for many people. When you think about your health, you should consider your emotional, moral and physical well-being (traditional medicine however generally only focuses on physical well-being and the treatment of obvious symptoms). It is when all of these components are in congruence with each other that you are indeed, in good health.
Cleansing should be something you integrate in to your daily life and there are a range of foods which have been shown to have a natural cleansing effect on the body. These foods help support the liver and other organs in their natural detoxification processes.
Cleansing Foods
Watermelon
Watermelon helps the body to process chemicals such as triglycerides and cholesterol which are derived from cheese, milk, pork and chicken fats. Its also a natural digestive aid and blood tonic. Because a watermelon consists mostly of water its also a great way to increase fluid intake during the day. Its low in sugar and contains decent levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene and potassium. Watermelon is natural alkalising and some people even believe that you could do an entire cleanse simply eating watermelon!
Eggplant
This is a good source of potassium, Vitamin B, B6, folic acid, potassium and dietary fibers. It has also low caloric content which is good for people wanting to reduce weight. Some people assume cleansing foods won’t taste as good as foods eaten in a regular diet, but there are many delicious ways to cook Eggplant. Not only does it taste good and contain many valuable nutrients, when in season Eggplant is usually very cheap to buy.
Garlic
Garlic is a well known anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial food and is an essential food to include in any homemade detox diet. Garlic can also help to lower blood pressure and improve circulation of the blood. Choose garlic in the raw form only and add raw to salads or cook with stir-fry’s or pasta. If you are worried about the garlic ‘smell’, eat parsley (a fantastic alkaline food) which will remove any garlic taste or smell from the mouth.
Seaweed
You probably can’t buy seaweed from your local supermarket, but you can buy it in a dried form in Japanese or Asian supermarkets and its also contained in many supplements. Its highly alkaline and packed full of minerals and has been shown to be one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Add Seaweed to salads, pasta or take in a capsule as a supplement to maximise the benefits of this wonderful ‘superfood’
Flaxseeds and Flaxseed Oil.
Most people need to increase their intake of essential fatty acids and there has been alot of publicity about Salmon and other fish oils lately. However eating Flaxseeds (sprinkle them on your cereal for example) or taking flaxseed oil (as a dressing on your salad) can help you meet your daily requirements of Omega-3′s as well as providing your both with healthy fats and range of other nutrients.
Guava
High in Vitamin C, Guava is an underrated fruit which many people have never tried. It has also anti-toxin properties that can help detoxify the body of harmful substances. It is good for gastrointestinal problems, especially diarrhea and can also be used to heal wounds.
Beetroot
Beetroot is rich in folic acid, vitamin C, and potassium. It also contains reasonable quantities of Vitamin A, Iron and importantly magnesium (often lacking in our diets). Beetroot is a natural cleanser and can be added to juices or grated on salads when raw or boiled or baked and eaten as a vegetable when cooked.
Apple
The cliche “an apple a day keeps the doctors away” could actually be very true. Apples contain an array of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and anti-toxic properties. One of the key ingredients is ‘Pectin’. Pectin is a type of fiber that can help remove heavy metals and possibly even cholesterol from the body. Create a juice containing apples, carrots, ginger and beetroot as a refreshing, detox drink!
Tips for choosing cleansing foods
Make sure you only eat foods that are grown locally and in season. We’ve almost forgotten now which fruits and vegetables are able at different times of the year, but in order to keep our body in balance (and to support local growers) we need to eat fruits and vegetables that are naturally available at a particular time and avoid supermarkets which often import or keep produce in cold storage for up to 6 months before putting them out on the shelves.
Visit your local farmers markets and talk to the growers. Ask them how their fruits and vegetables are grown and what, if any, chemicals are used in the process. Where possible choose organic or spray free options.
