7 Essential Cleansing Foods to Try

Our bodies neutralize and eliminate dietary and environmental toxins every day. Certain foods can support, or even speed the process, by providing vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, essential fatty …

Pomegranate

Give yourself a serious antioxidant boost! Pomegranates are loaded with anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that gives the seeds their deep, red color. It’s possible that anthocyanins may protect against DNA damage and inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease, allergies, cancer, and diabetes. Preliminary research indicates that they may also help to slow skin aging by reducing the weakening of skin’s collagen and elastin fibers.

Garlic

A detox favorite, garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds that may fight harmful bacteria and yeast in the intestines and boost the body’s ability to detox by increasing production of ​glutathione, needed for the elimination of certain toxins. The sulfur compounds, called allicin, are broken down in the body to allyl sulfides, which may guard against heart disease, certain types of cancer, arthritis, and diabetes.

Seaweed

A dietary staple in many Asian countries, seaweeds-such as dulse, kelp, nori, wakame, and agar- are becoming popular with good reason. They are packed with minerals such as iodine, which aids in the production of thyroid hormone and regulates our metabolism, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The high mineral content can help to flush toxins from the body. Certain seaweeds, such as arame and hijiki have plenty of soluble fiber, which also promotes detoxification.

Lemons

One of the most popular detox foods around, lemons are packed with vitamin C and are thought to help restore the alkaline-acid balance of the body, enabling us to more effectively remove dietary and environmental toxins.

Apples

Apples are high in insoluble fiber and the soluble fiber pectin, which soaks up toxins and waste and sweeps them through the intestines. They are low-glycemic, which means that they are absorbed slowly with a gradual rise in blood sugar and insulin. Apples contain glucaric acid, which helps the body get rid of estrogen-like chemicals and heavy metals.

Cabbage

One of the more affordable detox foods, cabbage has cleansing properties due to their high content of glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that are converted into active forms isothiocyanates and indoles. Isothiocyanates may prevent cancer by promoting the elimination of potential carcinogens from the body. It is also high in vitamin K and vitamin C and ½ cup has only 11 calories.

Wheatgrass

A popular ingredient at juice bars, wheatgrass is thought to have potent detoxifying abilities, being packed with chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

Source : www.verywellfit.com