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As toxicity has become a growing concern within our society the need for detox has grown greater. With newer, stronger chemicals in the air, water, drugs, medications and foods the risk for exposure is much greater than it was in the past. Other factors such as lifestyle also lead to the risk of exposure to pollutants, irritants and toxins. Food plays a major role in the body’s ability to eliminate toxins and chemicals. The body requires essential nutrients through food, supplements or vitamins to maintain metabolic balance.

However, a poor diet that consists of foods with additives, flavor enhancers, food coloring, artificial preservatives, and refined and processed foods can compromise the body’s ability to eliminate unnecessary chemicals. Fresh and organically grown foods help to cleanse and detoxify the body. Food that is rich in fiber, high in water content and full of vitamins and minerals all help to eliminate impurities. Detoxifying foods stimulate excretion of toxic chemicals and replace them with nutrients that the body needs to restore health. When you have digestive problems, constipation, a distended stomach or sluggish elimination, look at your diet and replace fast food, soda and empty calorie snacks with these detoxifying foods.

1. Water- Water naturally flushes out chemicals, toxins and impurities from the body through sweat, breathing and urination. By adding an extra quart of water to your daily water intake you can quickly cleanse your system of ingested irritants.

2. Fruit- Fresh fruit is full of water, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. Fruits are easily digested and are high in nutrient content. Fruits can be eaten fresh, dried, frozen or juiced. Fruits high liquid content helps to wash out toxins. The list of fruits that can be consumed include apples, pears, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, melon, sultanas, nectarines and peaches.

3. Lemon- Lemons have a wonderful detoxifying effect on the body. Adding lemon to your water can help to stimulate digestive enzymes. Also drinking hot water with lemon squeezed into it can aid in liver cleansing. Plus lemon is filled with vitamin C and antioxidants, which help to flush toxins such as free radicals from the body.

4. Leafy Green Vegetables- Although eating raw vegetables is excellent for your health and can aid in detoxification, leafy green vegetables add a boost to detoxification through chlorophyll. Leafy green vegetables such as blue green algae, barley, wheatgrass, kale, spinach, spirulina, psyllium, cabbage, parsley, cilantro, watercress, alfalfa, chard, and arugula all contain chlorophyll, which help to rid the body of environmental toxins. Chlorophyll is a plant based compound that can flush out smog, heavy metals, herbicides, cleaning products and pesticides from the liver. These greens have a diuretic effect on the body, which causes toxins to be expelled through excretion. Leafy greens are most often used in salads, which are full of fiber and contain fewer calories, which help to flush the system of toxins.

5. Raw Vegetables- Eating raw vegetables helps to naturally cleanse the stomach, intestines and bowels. Raw vegetables also purge the liver of toxins. Vegetables are full of vitamins that are essential for health. Sulphur and glutathione are naturally occurring in many raw vegetables and help to cleanse the liver of toxic chemicals. Good detox vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, beets, radishes, onions, artichokes, seaweed, Brussels sprouts, asparagus and many more.

6. Broccoli- Broccoli is a great detoxifying vegetable as it helps to stimulate digestive enzymes, which encourages weight loss during detox. Broccoli sprouts are more effective than their full-grown counterpart however; they are rich in antioxidants, which encourages waste clearing from the body.

7. Garlic-Garlic is a great choice for any detoxification. In addition to being a blood cleanser, garlic is a natural antibiotic. It can reduce blood fat as well as lower blood pressure. Garlic stimulates cleansing of the liver and helps flush the body of toxic chemicals and impurities. Garlic can be added to food dishes or can be taken as a supplement to avoid the smell.

8. Green Tea- Green tea helps flush out toxins from the body. Green tea is full of antioxidants and boosts the metabolism. Green tea contains catechins, which speeds up liver function.

9. Seeds & Nuts- Seeds and nuts are a great way to detox the body. They are easily digested and aid and protect the liver in cleansing toxins. Seeds and nuts that are good for detoxing include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, walnuts, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, Siberian cedar nuts, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Remember to eat unsalted nuts during detox, because salt can impede the detoxification process.

10. Beans- Beans are a major source of protein and fiber. Legumes are easily digestible and should be part of any detox program. Beans cleanse the stomach of residual toxins and help the body get rid of unwanted impurities. Include kidney beans, pinto beans, garbanzo, soybeans, and mung beans are all great for detoxification.

11. Omega-3 Oils- Foods rich in omega-3s are not only healthy for you but also help to detox the system. Hemp, avocado, olive oils, and flax seed oil are all food sources of omega-3s. When consumed they lubricate the walls of the stomach and intestines which allows toxins to flush out through the bodies natural elimination systems.

12. Figs & Prunes- Figs are high in fiber and contain calcium and essential nutrients for the body. One to two figs a day can help to improve elimination. Prunes help to cleanse the digestive tract. Prunes are high in fiber content but also contain a natural laxative that helps elimination and stops constipation. Prunes can be consumed as a dried fruit or as prune juice.

Graduated with a BA in exercise science and have worked in the medical field since. My focus is alternative medicine however all aspects of health interest me. Check out my health website! http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Detoxifying_Foods.html.