The Top Ten Natural Detox Foods

Detox Diets or Programs have been around for thousands of years, originating in eastern cultures. These programs are thought to detoxify or cleanse the body of toxins and raise energy levels, reduce bloating, stimulate digestion, relieve allergy symptoms, and help prevent cold or flu illnesses. There are several dozen popular detox programs out today, but the medical community generally does not approve of them due to the lack of scientific proof that going on a detox diet will do any of the things promoted.

The human body is already designed to detox using the lungs, liver, kidneys, and skin. It is highly recommended that a person does not use one of the more severe detox programs, such as the one that consists of drinking a concoction made of maple syrup and cayenne pepper to the exclusion of any other food or beverage because the negative effects can be much greater than a positive outcome.

Using the concept of detox by eliminating certain foods and drinks and including others while maintaining sufficient calories is a fantastic way to jump-start a healthy regime and feel cleansed with the natural and healthy results from certain Super Foods, most included on all the major Detox Diets.

First Step: Eliminate the Bad Stuff

Virtually all Detox Diets start the dieter off by eliminating all processed food, caffeine, sugar, fats, fried foods, alcohol, and sometimes wheat and dairy. Take a hard look at what is stored in the pantry and scrutinize the labels for unhealthy ingredients. Eating only natural foods, meaning fresh or frozen vegetables or fruits (without syrups, sauces, or seasonings included), whole grains, and low-fat cheeses are the best place to start. If you are not ready to eliminate meat, then only create meals with lean, low-fat meats such as pork or chicken (skin removed), and try to include more fish, in particular salmon.

The Detox Super Foods:

There are a dozen foods that most experts agree should be part of a healthy individual diet. By eliminating the foods above and creating a diet plan for a few days or a week consisting of these Super Foods, also considered Detox Foods, you will be gaining the benefits of the cleansing or detoxification process through the restoration of good health. Food is fuel and the more wholesome the fuel the better the engine runs.

Berries

Specifically, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries, low in calories and dense in nutrition. Berries are high in fiber pectin, which reduces cholesterol and prevents damage to blood vessels. Also thought to promote good bladder and urinary tract health.

Greens

Kale, Spinach, Alfalfa, Chard, Arugula, and other organic leafy greens. Greens are a great source of calcium for people who have dairy-restrictive diets. Kale, like the others, is high in beta-carotene, a great cancer fighter, as well as being a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, which contain sulforaphane which stimulates enzymes that protect the body against tumors.

Seeds & Nuts

Flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds high energy, although calorie-dense food, most of the fat found in nuts and seeds is unsaturated. Almonds are known to lower the ëbadí LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol. Nuts are a source of manganese, which can help prevent osteoporosis in women.

Olive Oil

Use it to cook everything that you can or to make dips for raw vegetables or whole-grain bread. Olive oil is a large component of the highly promoted Mediterranean diet and is known to lower bad LDL cholesterol, raise good HDL cholesterol, reduce arterial blood pressure, and protect against many diseases. Be sure to choose pure olive oil and read reviews such as Gundry MD Olive Oil reviews when deciding on a specific Olive Oil.

Salmon

Wild-caught salmon is high in Omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury. Salmon can be quite expensive however, much more so a wild caught one! So it is commonplace for people to use supplements such as DHA Plus, which contain omega 3 astaxanthin and lycopene to fortify the bodies levels of Omega 3 as well as provide key antioxidants, using supplements like this alongside a good diet including fish is the most practical way to enjoy the benefits of a high OM3 diet. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation in our bodies as well as blood clots which can lead to strokes. New research also suggests that Omega-3s may have the additional benefit of slowing Alzheimer’s disease.

Whole Grains

Barley and Oats are whole grains which means that they contain their original bran, germ, and endosperm, all of the good things without being stripped down and processed. Oats are considered a high-energy food and a source of choline, a chemical that plays a role in good brain and memory function. Barley lowers cholesterol, prevents cancer, is low in calories, and gives you a full, satisfied feeling after eating.

Teas

Green, Peppermint, Ginger, Echinacea, and Chamomile are phenomenal ways to flush your system and reduce and prevent many health issues. The Chinese have long taken advantage of the benefits of tea, in particular Green Tea.

Garlic

Used from ancient times and in many cultures, it contains allium which is an antibiotic, a decongestant, and expectorant among other things. Need we say more? Whole roasted with a little olive oil or used in your cooking, you will add flavor and a lot of nutritional bang for your buck.

Avocados

Contains the valuable Omega-3 fatty acids and is great in the prevention of prostate cancer, oral cancer, and breast cancer. Also contains more of the carotenoid lutein than any other fruit protects against macular degeneration and cataract disease, as well as lowers cholesterol, and helps prevent strokes.

Tomatoes

Full of Lycopene, an antioxidant that helps fight against cancer and a host of diseases. The potency of Lycopene in tomatoes accounts for their red color and means that one small glass of tomato juice could keep you healthy for life. Low in calories and nutrition-packed, try slicing some with avocado and drizzling a little olive oil over the top!

Lemons, Oranges & Limes

These have flavonoid compounds that have antioxidant and ant-cancer properties shown to stop cell division in many cancer cell lines. They are also known to be antibiotics and of course, Vitamin C. Squeezed over vegetables, fruits, fish, or barley, adds a wonderful health benefit and flavor.

Feel the Difference

Going on a program of detoxification can transform energy levels in people who are currently eating high-fat, fast food, or processed food diet. Make a commitment to start a detox program with tea without sweetener, a cup of oatmeal with fresh fruit and a dollop of plain low-fat yogurt, snacks of sliced tomatoes, avocados, nuts, seeds, and sliced raw veggies, barley with grilled or sauteed vegetables for lunch, a slice of grilled wild-caught salmon for dinner with a large, leafy salad.

Eliminating processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, fried foods, high-fat foods, red meat, or all meat from a diet for a few days or perhaps as a healthy lifestyle change will do more than detoxify or cleanse your system, it will also pump intense nutrients into the body. Part of any detoxification program is to flush out waste efficiently, so drink plenty of water and Green Tea.