Detox foods: 20 foods that help your body purify

When we talk about detox foods we mean all those foods that help expel substances that are harmful and that "poison" and weigh down our body. Toxins, mainly deriving from an excessive consumption of proteins or refined carbohydrates, can in fact be disposed of thanks to a series of vegetables foods that help the diuresis and facilitate deflation. During the holidays everyone happens to exaggerate a bit and then it’s important to practice a little healthy physical activity, and have a nice list of detox foods, herbal teas, juices and fresh salads: in a few days and without too many sacrifices you will get back in shape and fight stress, tiredness and bad mood.

Detox foods to purify and deflate

To detoxify and lose weight, there is no need to fast or make drastic choices: in fact, there are some foods that by nature help the body to eliminate toxins and fats. Nothing miraculous: our body, in fact, is used to eliminating excesses by itself. Of course, the first of the "foods" useful to purify oneself is water: drinking 1 liter and a half, better 2 liters, of water a day is the first fundamental step. And, with an extra push, you can certainly speed up the body's purification process: here are therefore the right foods to lose weight, deflate in a short time and feel lighter.

1. Fennel

Fennels are rich in water and low in calories: for this reason they are always present in low-calorie diets and in the detoxifying feeding phases. They have purifying and diuretic properties, stimulate digestion, liver function and consequently the elimination of toxins present in our body; precious allies in the slimming process thanks to the presence of fibers that guarantee a sense of satiety. Excellent as healthy snacks to munch at any time of the day, between meals.

2. Flax seeds

Small great allies of our body, flax seeds are rich in phosphorus, omega 3, magnesium and antioxidant properties. So they are really good for our health from hair to intestines. They have been used since the time of the Greeks as a natural remedy to combat diseases related to the intestine and, if taken in the right way, they can have a very strong purifying effect and facilitate a slimming process. These small foods are basically tasteless and for this reason they can be used to add a crunchy note to your salads, in a creamy cup of yogurt for breakfast or to prepare oils or gels to be consumed in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach.

3. Artichokes

Belonging to the Asteraceae family, artichokes are rich in water and antioxidants: for this reason they are among the most detoxifying foods for the liver thanks to the massive presence of cynarin that supports liver function. In addition to fighting the action of free radicals, artichokes help the normal diuretic, digestive and therefore detox function. Perfect for low-calorie and detoxifying diets (especially in autumn and winter, when they abound) artichokes can be cooked in many ways: simply boiled and seasoned with oil and a few drops of lemon, steamed, baked, or in decoctions and herbal teas. Finally, the cynarin helps the prevention of diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.

4. Broccoli

Broccoli and cauliflower are the foods you need to stock up on if you really want to deflate and lose weight naturally: rich in water, mineral salts, iron, calcium and potassium and low in calories, they help fight water retention by stimulating and promoting the intestinal functioning and with them the elimination of toxins. Allies of flat stomach and lean legs, broccoli are also rich in vitamins and fiber and are perfect for those who want to fight annoying constipation problems. Do not underestimate their versatility in the kitchen: they can be protagonists of many recipes, from the first to the second courses passing through delicate and delicious side dishes.

5. Wholemeal grains

In any good detox diet, refined cereals must be replaced by wholemeal grains: in addition to being rich in antioxidants, they help intestinal regularity thanks to the massive presence of fiber. If you really want to eliminate all toxins, lose weight and feel better with your body, you will have to work on the intestine: the wholemeal grains will help you deflate and feel full but light after every meal. Remember to always combine them with a vegetable, always better if detox.

6. Apples

The fruit that inspired myths and legends, the apple should never be missing from our daily or detox diet. Low in calories and rich in water, they have a diuretic and detoxifying effect, and they also help the normal function of the cardiovascular system. Apples contain pectin which promotes cholesterol control and helps regulate the intestine. An apple a day keeps the doctor away: perfect as a snack against hunger, the apple is the most famous ally of our health and, when you decide to follow a detox or slimming diet, it can never be missing from your wish list. In addition to eating them naturally, you can cook apples in many different ways: here are some recipes with apples to try at home.

7. Ginger

Considered since ancient times a natural medicine just like pomegranate, ginger is the purifying root par excellence and its beneficial properties are endless. Ginger is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and above all it accelerates the body's metabolism, facilitating digestion, assimilation of nutrients and elimination of waste. Excellent diuretic, especially if consumed in hot and cold infusions, ginger helps to eliminate toxins and thus purifies the whole body promoting the natural loss of lipids. A little curiosity: ginger is also an excellent remedy for annoying colds, sore throats and seasonal ailments.

8. Carrots

Rich in vitamin C and low in calories, they are therefore excellent allies for those who follow a low-calorie diet and want to lose weight. Carrots are also detoxifying and natural allies of the liver: just like artichokes, they help and stimulate the liver function that allows our body to eliminate toxins and all substances that flood it. Like fennel, in addition, carrots are always recommended as a snack between meals, because they give a pleasant sense of satiety, bringing very few calories to our body. Excellent raw, cooked, with other vegetables in smoothies or healthy juices.

9. Aloe

Plant of the Aloeaceae family, of ancient origins and used in a thousand ways, aloe is a natural concentrate of well-being. In addition to being a cicatrizant and having an anti-inflammatory effect especially of the intestinal system, aloe is rich in vitamin B12 and mineral salts, it helps to purify the body by stimulating the metabolism so that, if taken in the wrong quantities, it can even have a laxative effect.

10. Pomegranate

Already in the time of the Greeks considered a natural medicine against any disease, pomegranate contains antioxidants such as polyphenols that help prevent cardiovascular disease. Pomegranate helps cell regeneration, thus slowing down the aging process, and it has moisturizing and antibacterial properties. The best and easiest way to take the right amount of pomegranate every day, ensuring a detox and purifying effect, is to prepare a flavored water: just peel a pomegranate and put the seeds in a carafe full of water, add a few drops of lemon or ginger and leave to rest in the refrigerator for a few hours.

11. Avocado

If you want to dispose of toxins and above all lose weight, avocado can be your faithful ally: it is in fact a source of protein, essential fatty acids and "good" fats. Just mono- and poly- unsaturated fats, the so-called "good fats", help our body to lower the cholesterol level and provide energy with a low calorie level. Avocado can be eaten without hesitation, perhaps in a creamy guacamole, even if we follow a detox and low-calorie diet, the important thing is that it is well ripe.

12. Lentils

Eating lentils is always good, but perhaps not everyone knows that, although apparently not easy to digest, they are excellent allies for deflating the belly and purifying it. The secret of lentils is in the fact that, decorticated or not, they contain a lot of fibers and this stimulates proper functioning of the digestive system. In addition, the fibers activate a purifying and detoxifying process for the colon and the entire intestinal tract: for this reason, eating lentils (and more generally legumes) on a regular basis helps to keep the belly deflated and dry.

13. Garlic

In addition to being always recognized as a miraculous natural antibiotic, garlic has enormous detoxifying and purifying properties. It protects our body from infections, enhancing our immune system, and it is also an excellent ally of the digestive system, of the liver and of the gallbladder: for these reasons, a clove of garlic (even if eaten raw) must never be missing from your daily diet when you choose to follow a detoxifying period: with a healthy and protected intestine and liver, you will also reduce stress and tiredness.

14. Cabbages

Cabbages can not be missing in a good detox diet: already in ancient Rome they were used to treat swelling and intestinal disorders but also tiredness and insomnia. Cabbages are rich in fiber, mineral salts, and vitamins: they help and protect the gastrointestinal system so much that they are considered capable of slowing down the activity of cancer cells. In a complete and balanced detox diet, cabbages can be eaten in large quantities while paying attention to cooking: if too prolonged, it could greatly reduce the vitamin intake and beneficial properties, better prepare them steamed or in a pan.

15. Water

Water is the diuretic element par excellence and we should always drink at least two liters a day: with some tips water can become our best ally even in detox diets. The purifying waters, enriched with fruit, vegetables, spices and roots, are ideal for deflating, purifying and awakening the metabolism, eliminating excess toxins that can accumulate in our body. Excellent to be prepared at home and to take with you to sip them throughout the day are detox water flavored with ginger, or with turmeric (natural antidepressant). But also a simple water with lemon peel left to infuse for a few hours and then filtered.

16. Pineapple

Pineapple is an inexhaustible source of vitamin C, magnesium, iodine and phosphorus: a weapon against free radicals that can poison and damage our body. Being formed largely of water and fiber, pineapple is naturally purifying and antioxidant: despite its sugar content and flavor, it can be consumed in many ways and for this reason it is always present in detox and slimming diets. Eaten raw at the end of the meal it helps to metabolize the calories consumed and it can also be consumed as an excellent snack. Finally, you can make a fresh and refreshing pineapple-flavored water. A small curiosity: you can also find it in the form of capsules to be taken two or three times a day to facilitate diuresis.

17. Goji berries

When our body accumulates too many free radicals it means that there are too many toxins: this is the time to start the detox diet and to buy Goji berries, very small friends with a bright red color that help us counteract swelling, tiredness and accumulation of liquids. Two tablespoons in the yogurt in the morning help the liver to dispose of toxins and provide a sense of satiety that makes the day start better. The berries also contain a lot of zinc which helps and accelerates the metabolism thus facilitating natural weight loss.

18. Nettle

Nettle is a spontaneous plant famous perhaps more for its negative stinging qualities than for its numerous beneficial properties including purifying and detox ones. Nettle is rich in flavonoids and this is precisely what makes it a highly purifying and detoxifying food, so much so that it has been known as a real medicinal plant since ancient Greek times. It eliminates slags and toxins, if consumed regularly, and it also accelerates the metabolism: nettle is also excellent for fighting cellulite and water retention. The best way to use it is in the form of herbal tea, leaving the leaves to infuse in hot water, which however has not reached a boil, to prevent the nettle from losing its properties.

19. Asparagus

Asparagus is rich in vitamins, mineral salts and a substance called glutathione which promotes the purification of our body, fighting the action of free radicals. Asparagus contains an amino acid called asparagine which acts on our body as a natural diuretic. They also contain inulin, a carbohydrate that helps the natural function of the digestive system and that promotes the balance of the bacterial flora. Steamed or pan-fried, asparagus cannot be missing from your detox or weight loss diet.

20. Lemons

One of the best ways to start the day is by drinking a lemon juice on an empty stomach: perhaps it is not particularly inviting as a taste but we assure you that it is an excellent habit to purify the intestines, eliminate the waste and toxins present in our body and start your detox diet. Natural antibacterial, the lemon helps the intestinal flora and intestinal transit, and it also cleanses our body and it is an excellent ally also for nails and hair.