Detoxification through food

Our body regularly produces numerous toxic materials through metabolism. You can detoxify your body by curtailing every food except fruits and vegetables besides taking a ‘detox’ drink daily, but the more rational way to detoxify your body is to combine all foods in the food pyramid judiciously. How to achieve this? Well, let’s have a look –

The diet should include fruits and fruits juices, vegetables and virtually all the probable healthy foods.

Fruits – any fresh fruits are safe. The frits you can take- apples, oranges, bananas, pears, grapes, raisins, pineapple, mango, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, melons, peaches etc.

Fruit juices – homemade juices are the best. But canned pure fruit juices are also a healthy option. Only thing you have to check the expiry date and ‘sweetened’ or ‘pure’ variety.

Vegetables – fresh green leafy vegetables are first choice food. Otherwise you can take canned ‘in brine’ or ‘in water’ variety. These include sprouts, spinach, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, spring onions, and cucumber.

Oatmeal – this is a good food to check the cholesterol level.

Beans and lentils – this contain fibers which help to prevent gastric ulceration.

Brown rice and noodles – brown rice is always better than bleached white rice.

Fish – fish contains Omega 3 fatty acid that is a potent antioxidant. You can take salmon, cod, mackerel, lobster, different types of carps, trout, tuna, haddock, red mullet, monkfish and swordfish.

Nuts and seeds – this are rich in vitamins that help to fight against infections. Brazil, almonds, walnut, hazel nut, peanut, pecans, macadamia, pistachio and pine nuts belong this group.

Popcorn are also offering good amount of antioxidants.

Balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil contains substances that check the cholesterol level.

Garlic was used as a natural antioxidant in Indian traditional system of medicine (Ayurveda) since a long time. Ginger and other fresh herbs like turmeric are also advised.

Ground black pepper and honey have anti aging property.

Last but certainly not the least is water. A healthy young adult must take at least 2.5 liters of water daily.

Now let us have some knowledge about which foods are in ‘bad’ category so that we can avoid them as far as practicable.

Meat and meat products of any kind is avoided. White meat is marginally advised.

Milk and dairy items

Butter and margarine

Any kind of food that contain wheat and wheat flour like bread, cakes, pastries, biscuits, pizzas

Chocolates and sweets, jams and marmalade

Any kind of junk food

Processed foods, ready-to-eat food packets, sauces and fast foods

Alcohol, tea, coffee and all sorts of carbonated beverages including diet colas

Salt

All the foods in the second category are partially metabolized inside our body. The byproducts generated (excretory products) after metabolism are either excreted through kidneys or via stool. Now, during the process of excretion they pass through different organs of our body. If they get stored due to any reason (excess amounts generated that our system is incapable to excrete or they bind with some other material to get deposited into the tissues), the ill effect will be obvious. They may again slow down the process of excretion. Deposition in the liver, heart and brain can damage our system extensively. Aging process is hastened by these unwanted products. Our natural defense system get weaker leading to severe infection obtained from a trivial source.

It is better to take foods that are good to our body and do not cause any harm. Being a vegetarian can solve the problem. Think about it.