Seasonal foods can complement the body’s detox process on a regular basis. Nutritionist Sonia Narang writes about the foods best for summers. Now, let your glow come from within.
You are what you eat; so it is natural that what you consume every day makes a big difference in the way you look and feel. But the excessive chemicals, sugar, processed foods and alcohol that you ingest knowingly or unknowingly can make you lethargic, slowing you down even through your day-to-day activities.
The good news is that you can rev up your energy, clear your mind, and lighten the toxic load on your body by choosing to get on a gentle, food-based detox. And nature has bestowed upon us seasonal foods that help in detoxification. What’s more, detox processes are easier in the hot weather, when the body can flush out its toxins faster.
However, though the liver produces its own antioxidants in the body, you need other antioxidants from food sources in order to remain healthy. So, it helps to increase the intake of antioxidant-rich foods to counter the free radicals in the body. One must try to eat foods that support the liver and the digestive system.
Given below are some detox foods to help you clean out your body, making you feel healthy, light and refreshed.
Watermelon
A summer treasure, watermelon is the number one detox food in the season. Its high alkalinity and citrulline content helps it create arginine, which removes ammonia and other toxins from the body. Watermelon is also a good source of potassium, which balances the high sodium levels in our diets and supports our kidneys, thus cleansing the body.
Cucumbers
The high water content in cucumbers gets your urinary system moving and helps in flushing out toxins from the body. What's more, half a cup of sliced cucumber has only eight calories.
Lemon
Lemon is a wonderful stimulant for the liver. It dissolves uric acid and similar toxins. The alkalising food helps restore balance to the body’s
pH (alkalinity).
Mint leaves
They are great for keeping the body cool in summer. Mint leaves help you digest your food more effectively and improve the flow of the bile from the liver to the gallbladder and the small intestine, where the dietary fat is broken down.
Amino acids
Foods rich in protein sources have amino acids, which is essential for the body’s detoxification processes. Some of the foods that are rich in amino acids are green leafy veggies, pumpkins, chia seeds, soyabeans, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, sunflower butter, almonds, avocados, figs, raisins and wheat.
Apart from following a balanced diet to maintain a healthy body, one must try to eat at regular intervals to avoid toxic build-up in the body. Sleep also plays an equally important role in flushing out the toxins.
All cells and tissues get proper oxygen when we get restful sleep, which, in turn, keeps all the vital organs running optimally.
