Do you have a working liver and kidneys? Then stop, put down the detox tea, juice, shake, and pills!
Your body detoxifies itself naturally every minute of every day, so don’t buy into fad products that promise to cleanse your body of its toxins.
RELATED: The Power of a Proper Detox
Try adding these 7 detox foods to your daily routine to boost your body’s natural detoxifying processes!
1. Broccoli
This weeknight staple turns out to be a detox powerhouse. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which triggers your liver to produce free-radical fighting enzymes. Broccoli sprouts have the highest amount of sulforaphane, so try adding them to your next sandwich, salad, or smoothie for a detox boost!
2. Eggs
Eggs are just now making their way back into public favor after being thought to raise cardiovascular risk factors. These little powerhouses are great for detoxification after a night of drinking thanks to their high levels of cysteine, an amino acid that aids in breaking down acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism. Cysteine helps convert acetaldehyde to water and carbon dioxide to be excreted, aiding in your body’s natural detox from alcohol!
3. Kale
While kale can be grisly, its high fiber content makes it a great natural detox booster. Fiber keeps our bowels moving to excrete waste from cellular metabolism and digestion.
4. Beets
Beets contain betalains, a group of antioxidants that aid in cell regeneration in the liver. The liver is your detox center, and adding beets to your diet can help you feel lighter, especially after a weekend of heavier-than-normal drinking.
5. Green Tea
Hydration is the foundation of detoxification (yay rhymes!). Stay hydrated with green tea throughout the day to flush out waste while adding powerful antioxidants to fight free radicals. Green tea has the highest antioxidant content of all teas and provides health benefits all over the body, from increasing brain cell growth to keeping good bacteria happy in your nether regions.
6. Lemon
Lemon peels contain d-limonene, an antioxidant that increases the activity of liver enzymes. Liver enzymes break down by-products of metabolism and waste to be carried out of the body through urine or feces. Add lemon slices to your water, or enjoy zested lemon over avocado toast for a breakfast with a detox kick!
7. Asparagus
If you’ve ever eaten Asparagus, you know that bathroom trips are more frequent after the meal. Asparagus is a natural diuretic, busting bloat and carrying waste from your body. Some research suggests in addition to a detoxifying effect, some components of asparagus can actually protect your liver cells from damage.
Detox Salad Recipe
Try this crunchy Detox Salad recipe!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Kale, chopped
- 5-6 asparagus spears, cooked or raw
- ½ cup beets, raw
- 4 oz lean protein (salmon is great here!)
Dressing: 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp raw honey + pinch of salt
Instructions: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, and honey with a pinch of salt until combined. Add mixture to kale, massage into leaves until softened and tender. Add remaining ingredients, toss to combine and enjoy!
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Caroline is a Clinical Registered Dietitian for MedStar Health and Hospital Systems in Baltimore, Maryland. She completed her Masters Degree in Dietetics from San Jose State University and moved back to Charm City to be with her fiancee. When she’s not providing medical nutrition therapy to her patients, Caroline enjoys cooking, waterfront walks and crab-anything (crab pizza is the best!).