Most people wouldn’t have known what detoxification actually meant, until recently. Long before we had heard of it, ancient Greeks and Chinese were using this type of diet to promote physical and mental health.
A detox is basically the removal of all dietary or environmental toxins from our body that we have accumulated over time.
One of the most significant results of detox is weight loss – good news for those who have struggled forever to lose those extra few pounds. This diet will help you to remove those bad influences in your diet, because it emphasises healthy food.
Moreover, the detox program focuses on removing stress and giving you the peace of mind you need. Stress is a crucial factor if you want to lose weight, and this is why a detox diet is the easiest way to lose weight naturally.
What does a detox diet consist of?
Vegetables: A number of vegetables contain vitamin A and C as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, and some level of protein found in broccoli and sprouts. All these help the circulatory system, the digestive system and the immune system to get rid of toxins and harmful substances in your body. This also will help to strengthen your white blood cells (WBC) count. One of the most important reasons of incorporating vegetables into a detox diet is because of their antioxidant properties.
Broccoli, cabbage, kale, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts and peas are the best sources of antioxidants. Such high sulphur-containing compounds are important to activate the enzyme system in your cells against any cancer-causing substances. Such vegetables in a detox diet will help the body to get rid of free radicals, especially those produced in excess. And in the long run, the body is able to combat the formation of cancer cells.
Fruits: Lemon is the star. Most fruits play a big part in this; but so far, it is clear that fruits such as lemons, oranges and melons are an ideal option for a detox diet, while orange coloured foods are commendable. Oranges are rich sources of beta carotene while fruits such as lemons and peaches are usually rich in vitamin C. The main benefit of consuming a lot of fruits during the detoxification process is to boost the immune system, to help get rid of anything unhealthy.
Green tea: Green tea and also Matcha tea, promote detoxification. Green tea contains antioxidants and boosts the liver and Matcha is high in a catechin which can help fight cancer. It also prevents heart disease, type 2 diabetes and aids weight loss.
A totally natural liquid supplement which is only made from many natural different fruits would also be of great benefit. And drink plenty of water!
The right choice of a detox diet will depend on what you want to correct, or the type of illness you want to overcome. Keep in mind this also has to do with our body’s chemistry, because each person’s body is different. This is why not all detox diets are the same or created equally. However, most detox diets will be beneficial. You can turbo charge your diet that will help your digestive health, immunity, skin health, strength, stamina, and lose weight. Your whole body will benefit when you add nutrient-dense foods to your detox diet.
There are some things you should know before starting such a program. You may not need a detoxification diet if you are elderly or underweight. For pregnant or breast-feeding women or persons who are taking certain medications, it would be advisable to check with their GP first, or better still visit a knowledgeable natural health practitioner. A detoxification diet is healthy when used as a short-term cleansing program. After that, to continue and to get the best benefit would be to renew a long-term commitment into a healthy ongoing maintainable diet.
Why detox your body?
Some of the reasons why this type of diet has become more important is because of the changes and availability of unhealthy foods in the recent times and the increase of toxins we are exposed to every day. This has become noticeably clear over the last decade or so, with the increase of obesity and related health problems for people who are not aware of the dangers hidden in some of today’s foods. Therefore, detoxification diets have become more important and are more beneficial than in the past. There are many detox programs available today where we can target certain health issues. Probably one often used aspect of a detox is for those who struggle to lose weight. This is when the need for such a diet becomes a benefit because it emphasises healthy food.
Every day our body’s cells are under attack from free radicals and toxins from processed high fat foods, pollution in every day household chemicals and even stress. All of this causes DNA cells’ break down and their ability to make healthier cells. Starved cells will not survive; just like your body needs food to survive, the cells need nutrition to live. If your cells are not getting life-giving nutrients then they will slowly shrink and die off and aging will quicken. At that time, many problems can arise. It can cause chronic pain, fatigue, excess water retention; it can affect memory and eyes.
Detox enhances the ability to concentrate better and as helps increase creativity. According to recent studies, there is a strong head-body connection, so when your body feels good, your mind starts to react, and vice versa. As many things are improving in your body, you start to feel better and lighter and at the same time, your mind becomes healthier, clearer and more active than ever before.
If you lack energy, such a detoxification program can bring back energy and stamina. As food creates energy, what you eat in this diet will give you the energy you need, because some foods convert into energy better than other foods, such as processed meats, sweets or snacks. In general, this diet will help increase the endorphin levels in your body, giving you more energy and allowing you to focus on those daily more important tasks with ease. Many times, headaches will less frequent or stop all together. In addition to the benefits outlined, this diet cleans your colon, pancreas, kidney and liver. All this will increase your overall health.
A detox diet would be extremely beneficial today, especially if you have an unhealthy lifestyle and lack energy to finish all your tasks.
Josef B