Detoxifying techniques have been practiced for centuries in order to improve health, by many religious groups and even Hippocrates.
Nowadays, there are many detox diets that can help you lose weight. However, a low-calorie fasting make your body can starve and your metabolism will slow down because of the important nutrients loss. Other negative effects a detox diet can cause are dehydration, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or colon damage.
The human body has its own internal detoxification system. Three critical body organs are involved in it, the kidneys, the colon and the liver.
Kidneys filter the blood all the time and eliminate toxins through the urine.
The colon removes toxins before they do any harm to your body, and it includes bacteria that create healthy and unhealthy chemicals.
The liver is the first defense organ against toxins and it functions as a filter and prevents toxins in food to pass into the blood stream.
Along with the detox diet, you need to support your body consuming the right nutrients.
This 48- hour weekend cleanse is recommended by Dr. Oz and it is based on consuming certain foods that will help the three important organs function properly. It includes preparation and consumption of the following meals and snacks two days in a row.
Breakfast: Quinoa with Prunes
Start the day with a bowl of quinoa, which is a whole grain that is rich in protein, phosphorus and fiber. Add some prunes, which are also high in fiber, and sorbitol, a chemical that works as a laxative.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of quinoa
- 1/3 cup of chopped prunes
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
- 1 cup of water
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
- 1/4 cup of rice milk
Method of preparation:
Pour the cup of water in a small pot and add the half cup of quinoa, a pinch of nutmeg and 1 teaspoon of grated ginger. Stir the mixture and bring to a boil.
Then, reduce the heat, cover the pot, simmer for 10 minutes and add the prunes and rice milk. Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes. Add one tablespoon of flaxseed oil and stir once more before you consume it.
Detox Drinks as Snacks between Meals
Veggie snack
You can have as much as you want of the following snack throughout the day:
Slice cucumber, celery and radishes or any other fresh vegetables and mix them. Pour olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Detox drink with lemon, pineapple and pomegranate
Ingredients:
- 1 lemon
- 3/4 cup of unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1 cup of unsweetened pomegranate juice
- 3 cups of water
You do not need a juicer to prepare this juice. Simply mix all the ingredients in a cup and enjoy it. You will get 4 servings which you can drink throughout the whole day.
Detox drink with pineapple, ginger and kale
Pineapple includes bromelain that helps digestion, while ginger stimulates bile flow in the gall bladder. Kale is good for kidney cleanse.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of pineapple
- 1/4 inch of ginger
- 1 bunch of kale (Remove the stems)
- Half squeezed lemon
- Half a cup of mint
- 2 large cucumbers
Put all the ingredients in the juicer and mix.
Lunch- Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of frozen blueberries
- ¼ banana
- 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia
- Half a cup of ice
- Half a cup of plain, unsweetened almond milk
You will need to add all the ingredients in a blender and mix until you get a smooth concoction.
Blueberries are loaded with quercetin, a flavonoid that improves immunity and is beneficial for the liver. Ground flaxseed contains omega 3, which is brain-nourishing, and fiber that helps the healthy elimination. Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which is extremely important for liver detoxification.
Dinner- Vegetable Broth Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 chopped cabbage
- 2 quarts of water
- 2 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 chopped fennel bulb with fronds and stalks
- 2 chopped red onions
- 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds
- 2 chopped celery stalks
- 2 teaspoons of sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup of sliced shitake caps
- Half a cup of chopped parsley
- 4 large chopped garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh oregano
- 8 sprigs of chopped parsley with stems and leaves
Mix all ingredients, except the chopped parsley, in a pot and add the 2 quarts of water. Let it boil and reduce heat, and simmer for an hour.
Serve topped with freshly chopped parsley.
Cabbage is great for detoxification of the liver and kidneys. Garlic helps the liver and the function of the gall bladder. Fennel aids bile flow in the gallbladder. Shitake mushrooms improve liver enzymes.
Also, you can serve the soup with a side of sauerkraut with sliced apples. Sauerkraut contains probiotics, the good bacteria that defend your GI tract. Plus, apples stimulate the function of the liver and the kidneys.
Apart from consuming these meals, you need to follow the rules below:
- Do not eat after 7 p.m.
- Drink a cup of dandelion root tea before going to bed, as it will help the liver to discard toxins from your body.
- Epsom salt bath will help you sweat and eliminate toxins. It also contains magnesium that will help your muscles relax.
Moreover, there are also other foods that can enhance the detoxifying system of your body:
The Kidneys
Vegetables such as cauliflower, bok choy and broccoli boost kidney’s power to send toxins into the urine and help liver cells recover from detox. Also, soy products act like diuretics, allowing you to urinate more often.
The Colon
Fermented foods and sour pickles are abundant in probiotics, the good bacteria that protects your colon. Furthermore, whole grains contain phosphorus which is a natural laxative, as well as fiber to bulk up your stools.
The Liver
Capsaicin in hot peppers boosts enzymes that are responsible for detoxifying the liver. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. Also, blueberries, blackberries and some other dark black berries help the liver to discard certain toxins.