Friday, September 22, 2017

6 Detox Foods That Clean Your Body Every Day

As the holiday season ends, people start looking for a way to quit unhealthy habits, lose weight, fight off colds, and generally recover. In other worlds, the detox time of the year officially starts!  While most people turn to powder or tea to boost the detox process, it turns out that our bodies have their own mechanisms through which they do a good job of cleansing on their own.  However, there are certain foods that are proven to be extremely effective in cleaning the body and eliminate all the bacteria, viruses, and toxic matter from the body.

In case you are feeling bloated or experience constipation, fatigue, and brain fog, it`s time to detox and reset the body.  Here are 6 detox foods that will accelerate the process:

1. Bitter and Leafy Greens

Bitter greens, such as mustard greens, kale, chard, and dandelion, are widely used in folk medicine to help fight off health conditions like diabetes, gallstones, kidney problems, and poor liver health.  Specifically, dandelion root helps improve the function of the digestive system, alleviates constipation, and offers anti-aging properties.

Taraxacin, a compound found in bitter greens, has been found to promote stronger immunity, reduced cancer risk, weight loss support, and hormonal balance.  Greens also promote detoxification thanks to their high levels of fiber, water, and magnesium.

2. Beets

Many holistic healing traditions use beets as energy restorer, blood cleanser, and natural liver tonic. Beets are also believed to help with emotional balancing, and are often recommended during the winter season when people start feeling ill.

Beets, pumpkins, carrots, and winter squashes are great detoxifying agents, particularly during the late winter seasons, when most green veggies aren’t available.  Regular consumption of beets supplies the body with lots of folate, manganese, potassium, and fiber, all of which work to prevent fatigue, improve blood flow, and neutralize heavy metals and toxins.

3. Berries (Especially Acai & Goji)

Apart from serving as great addition to oatmeal, desserts, smoothies, and yogurt, berries also provide powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  In addition to eating berries like blueberries and raspberries, consider “superfood” berries, such as acai, goji, and mulberry.

Goji berry has been traditionally used to improve digestion, stimulate weight loss, and support stamina, vitality, and longevity. Both Acai and goi are superior to health foods like blueberries, spinach, pomegranate seeds, and apples in terms of offering higher levels of antioxidants.

4. Fennel

It has been scientifically shown that apart from having a soothing effect on the digestive system, fennel also supplies the body with vitamin C and fiber, which in turn helps boost immunity and provide antibacterial properties.  Fennel is highly versatile, and it can be used raw, cooked, or steeped in hot tea.

Additionally, there`s also a fennel essential oil available, which is much more concentrated and contains stronger dose of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories like quercetin, limonene, and anethole. These compounds have been shown to alleviate symptoms of colic in infants, ease stomach cramps, reduce bloating, and help heal wounds.

5. Bone Broth

Real bone broth, made with vegetables, fresh herbs, animal parts, and vinegar, is a powerful concoction with potent anti-inflammatory constituents, collagen, antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals.

It also supplies the body with amino acids, which create proteins like proline, arginine, and glycine.  Therefore, going on a bone broth fast, while avoiding solid foods, gives the digestive system a break and facilitates detoxification.  Those who are pressed for time and cannot find the time to make bone broth from scratch, bone broth protein is a good idea.

6. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are packed with fiber, with about 5 grams per tablespoon.  Only a few tablespoons of chia seeds a day will provide almost half of the daily fiber needs.

Due to its high dietary fiber content, chia helps improve bowel function and support the formation of healthy stool. In the meantime, it slows down the digestion of sugar, provides a feeling of satiety that lasts longer, and regulates cholesterol.  They are quite versatile, and you can add them to pudding, pancakes, make them into chia water, and many more.

source: http://besthealthyguide.com